Lehigh University

Admissions  >  Undergraduate  >  Tuition & Financial Aid  >  Types of Aid  

The sources are many: Lehigh University (which provides the majority of all the grant aid received by students); federal and state governments; ROTC scholarships; and a variety of private sources.

What follows is a summary of the various types of need-based aid, including grants and scholarships, loans, and work opportunities. NOTE: Students must complete the required financial aid applications and submit the requested documents to the Office of Financial Aid by the given deadlines in order to qualify for any need-based aid listed below.
GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS 

Grants and scholarships are gift aid awarded to students who either demonstrate financial need as determined by the university's financial aid staff, or are awarded solely on a merit basis. The majority of funds are awarded based on a student's calculated need. A few merit awards — Academic Merit Awards and Dean's Scholars — are awarded through the Office of Admissions.

 

 

Federal Grants (Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant [FSEOG], Academic Competitive Grant [ACG], Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant [SMART]):  Need-based gift aid that does not have to be repaid. These types of grants are federally funded and are for students with exceptional need. The value is determined annually and is based on information your family provides.

Lehigh Grants (Endowed & Sponsored Scholarships): Lehigh Grants are need-based awards funded through university funds and endowments established by generous alumni and friends of the university.  The Lehigh Grant is originally awarded to act as a "placeholder" until we are notified of the amounts we are able to award for each of the named scholarship funds. The Lehigh Grant may be swapped with a scholarship, established by a donor.

State Grants: Many states offer grant assistance, based on financial need. State grants are awarded to students by the scholarship office of the state in which the student resides.

In addition, be sure to check with your State Higher Education Agency to find out if there are any additional forms required for state grants. For contact information and the Web site address of your State Higher Education agency, go to www.studentaid.ed.gov. At the site, click on "Funding your education," then click on "State aid." 

 

At Lehigh, we have a focus on providing aid for students with demonstrated need; however, we also offer a limited number of merit-based scholarships, which are available to students with outstanding talents and extraordinary academic promise. When awarding merit aid, we take a holistic approach, looking beyond the numbers related to academic talent alone. We look at what a student contributes outside the classroom and also consider recommendations and personal essays.
 
Some of Lehigh's scholarships require an additional application; for others, all students are considered just by applying to Lehigh, so be sure to check the application checklist for a summary of steps you need to take in order to be considered. 

In addition, it's important to note that students who receive merit awards, but also show demonstrated financial need, are indeed eligible to receive grant money to meet, but not exceed their calculated need.  What follows is a partial list of Lehigh's scholarships with basic overviews and descriptions. Academic Merit Awards

Lehigh's most prestigious merit scholarship awards are given to students in the top tier of our applicant pool. The awards are valued at full or half tuition, and are renewable over a four-year period, provided recipients maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. No additional application beyond your application for admission is necessary. All admitted students will be considered by the Committee on Admissions.

 

Dean's Scholars
Students who excel academically and demonstrate leadership skills could qualify for these awards of $10,000 per academic year. These awards are renewable over a four year period, provided recipients maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. No additional application beyond your application for admission is necessary. All admitted students will be considered by the Committee on Admissions.

Lehigh Scholars
The Lehigh Scholars program is a need-based merit award given to students with high academic merit and demonstrated need. Students are required to maintain a 2.8 grade point average to maintain the benefits of this program. All admitted students will be considered by the Committee on Admissions.

Arts Merit Awards/Scholarships

Cutler-Sametz Choral Arts Scholarships
Talented singers are eligible for scholarships of $2,500 (renewable for four years).  Recipients also receive free vocal lessons. Scholars may major and minor in any subject, but they will be expected to join the University Choir, a 50-voice, auditioned ensemble that tours regularly throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. All students who receive a Choral Arts Scholarship must maintain at least a 2.8 grade point average. A separate application is required. For more information, contact the music department at 610-758-3839 or visit the Department of Music's Web site for the online application. The scholarship application deadline is January 15.

Snyder Family Marching 97 Scholarships
Established in 2000 by alumnus Joseph Snyder and family, these scholarships are for students who demonstrate musical talent and leadership skills. The scholarship provides awards of $1,000 to $2,500. Recipients of this scholarship agree to participate fully in the Marching Band. Recipients must maintain at least a 2.8 grade point average. A separate application is required. For more information, contact the music department at 610-758-3839 or visit the Department of Music's Web site for the online application. The scholarship application deadline is January 15. 

 

Baker Gifted Arts Scholarships (in Theatre and Instrumental Music)
These scholarships provide annual awards of $3,000 (renewable for four years) to students who demonstrate an outstanding talent in instrumental music or theatre. Established by Lehigh alumnus Dexter Baker, former CEO of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., and his wife, Dottie. Recipients must maintain at least a 2.8 grade point average. A separate application is required. The scholarship application deadline is February 1, 2009. For more information on the Baker Gifted Arts Scholarship in music, contact the music department at 610-758-3839 or view the online application. For more information on the Baker Gifted Arts Scholarship in theatre, contact the theatre department at 610-758-3640 or view the online application. The scholarship application deadline is January 15, 2010.

Athletics Awards/Scholarships
A limited number of athletics scholarships are available for students with exceptional athletic ability. No additional application beyond your application for admission is necessary. 

 

President's Scholars
Enrolled Lehigh students who graduate with a 3.75 GPA or better can take a fifth year of courses without paying tuition. Upon being accepted into this scholarship program, some scholars use the opportunity to take courses that interest them, while others work toward a second bachelor's degree or even a master's degree. Any senior who graduates with a 3.75 or better GPA, has taken 90 credits at Lehigh, and attends at least four full-time regular semesters automatically qualifies for this program. 

 

Private Scholarships
There are many private scholarships you may apply for that may or may not be need-based, which are determined on various factors, such as academics, career goals, etc. To look for a scholarship that matches your interests and qualifications, you can access free scholarship information online at www.collegeboard.com, www.college.net, or www.gocollege.com. You can also check out scholarship handbooks at the library.  In most instances there is no charge to apply for scholarships and no guarantee provided that you will receive a scholarship.  In fact, we strongly recommend you avoid scholarships that require payment to apply.  Be sure to carefully research the organization and be wary of scholarship scams. Each private scholarship has its own criteria and application process. Please review Lehigh University's External Scholarship Policy to find out how these awards may affect your need-based financial aid package.

LOANS (both need- and non-need-based)

Loans available to Lehigh students include Federal Stafford (both subsidized and unsubsidized), Federal Perkins, and loans from various University-endowed funds. With the exception of an unsubsidized Stafford loan, no interest accrues while the borrower is enrolled on at least a half-time basis.

 

Following are educational loan opportunities for students and/or parents/guardians:

Federal Loans (Perkins, Stafford, and Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students [PLUS]):
Federal Stafford or Perkins loans are funds that a student is required to repay after graduating  from college (or once no longer enrolled at least half time). Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) are funds that a credit-worthy parent may borrow. PLUS loans begin repayment while the student is in school. 

 

Lehigh University Tuition Loans: Lehigh University Tuition Loans are funds that are awarded based on financial need, and are required to be repaid. 
 
Private/Alternative Loans: A Private/Alternative Loan is a loan that a student can borrow to help finance the family's expected contribution. These loans are based on one's credit history. (A student who has not established credit can apply with a co-borrower and can borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any aid received).  A wide variety of private loan providers are available. To review sample lenders, go to www.elmselect.com. We strongly recommend that you carefully review all the terms of each individual loan, as they can vary greatly. Individual loan providers have their own applications and timelines. Plan to apply at least 30 days prior to the date the bill is due.

EMPLOYMENT/WORK OPPORTUNITIES

 

Federal Work-Study or Institutionally Funded Work Opportunity:
Through Lehigh work-study awards, students can earn money to help meet expenses that are not billed by the institution, such as books and other personal expenses. There are usually plenty of employment opportunities available, so students have ample opportunity to earn their full awards.

Employment opportunities span most departments, many with flexible hours. 

 

Jobs are available through the Federal Work-Study and the Work Opportunity Award programs. By working 8 to 10 hours per week, a student can earn up to $1,700 a year. Employment opportunities span most departments, many with flexible hours. Pay rates reflect degree of experience or special talents. The Office of Financial Aid provides complete listings both in written form and on the university's Web site.

 

For students not eligible for federal work-study jobs, the university provides job opportunities through the Job Locator and Development (JLD) program administered by the Office of Career Services located in the Rauch Business Center.

Fast fact: Research has shown that students who work an average of 10 hours a week while pursuing their degree tend to do better academically because they learn new skills and good time management.