At Lehigh, we take the process of determining need very seriously. We take into account both the federal methodology and our own institutional calculations. A wide range of factors are taken into consideration, including parental income and assets, family size and number of dependent children in college, student income and assets, and many more. We may also take into account special circumstances such as loss of employment, loss of income due to disability or natural disasters, separation or divorce, death of a parent and more.

To further enhance the university’s commitment to and support for need-based financial aid, Lehigh has Loan Elimination and Reduction Initiatives. For students who are eligible for financial aid, and whose family’s calculated annual income* is less than $50,000, their financial aid package will not include any loans to meet their calculated financial need**. For students who are eligible for financial aid, and whose family’s calculated annual income is between $50,000 and $75,000, the loan portion of their need-based financial aid package will be limited to a maximum of $3,000 per year.

*Family calculated annual income is a combination of taxable and untaxed income, includes both custodial and non-custodial income and may include items added back to income such as losses that are merely tax allowances. The Office of Financial Aid will continue to include an expected family contribution (EFC).  The EFC is the responsibility of the family and may be paid utilizing current income, savings, a payment plan, borrowing options or some combination.  Additional borrowing is at the discretion of the family and is not packaged to meet need.

**A family’s calculated financial need is: Cost of Attendance less EFC = Need

NOTE:  Special circumstances and other changes that occur after our funds have been exhausted may result in unmet financial need, or the use of loans to meet need.