Lehigh University: Undergraduate Admissions

• Who Qualifies for Financial Aid?
• Why PROFILE?
• Why Is Lehigh Interested in the Non-Custodial Parent?
• How Is Financial Aid Packaged?
• How Are Renewals Determined?
• All This Sounds So Confusing to Me.  How Am I Going to Get All These Forms Filed?  What’s Going to Happen If I Have a Question or Need Help?

Q.: Who Qualifies for Financial Aid?
A: To calculate a family’s “ability to pay,” the Office of Financial Aid collects information on both parents’ and students’ incomes and assets.  We look at family size, the number in post-secondary education, and any special circumstances.  This elaborate array of data precludes a simple lookup table.  At Lehigh, we have families with incomes over $100,000 qualifying for aid, but in these instances, there are at least two family members in a college of comparable cost, and no significant parental or student assets.  On the other extreme, we have families with incomes in the $50,000 range not demonstrating need, but in these instances there are extensive assets, especially assets in the student’s name, and only one family member in college.

Q: Why does Lehigh require the PROFILE?
A: PROFILE is the single most comprehensive vehicle for helping determine a family’s ability to pay for college.  It is the only form that provides the opportunity for a family to fully share the complexities of their circumstances.  The needs analysis used with the PROFILE user’s methodology is more comprehensive than the government’s rationing device, which many colleges use and simply “gap” the aid packages of most filers.  It is a rational measure of a family’s capacity to pay.

Q: Why Is Lehigh Interested in the Non-custodial Parent?
A: Philosophically, we believe both parents or guardians have a responsibility to pay for college to the extent of their ability.  Practically speaking, there is simply not enough money available to replace parental contributions.  Financial aid is designed to supplement the family’s best effort at paying for college.  Our challenge is to measure a parent’s/guardian's ability to pay, not necessarily his or her willingness.

Q: How Is Financial Aid Packaged?
A: Once financial eligibility is determined, the actual packaging of an award can vary in the percentage of scholarship, loan, and campus employment.  Our self-help awards (loan plus job) can vary from $4,500 to $7,325 per year.  Packages are determined based on academic potential and performance.

Q: How Are Renewals Determined?
A: Families must refile annually for renewal of financial aid.  The amount of eligibility is determined based on any changes in the costs of attendance and the family’s financial circumstances and changes in number in college, household size, etc.  The CSS PROFILE, FAFSA, tax returns, and institutional applications are due by April 15th in the following years.  In addition, satisfactory progress, as outlined in the Financial Aid Brochure, is required for aid renewal.  Late applicants and those not meeting the minimum progress may be denied financial assistance.

Q: All This Sounds So Confusing to Me.  How Am I Going to Get All These Forms Filed?  What’s Going to Happen If I Have a Question or Need Help?
A: Every financial aid application received by Lehigh is reviewed by a financial aid counselor.  Yes, at first glance the forms may be confusing, but they do follow a logical progression and help is available.  Each year our counselors spend time in phone conversations or face-to-face meetings with families who have questions or who are concerned about whether we understand their special circumstances.  When families disagree with our determination of their contribution, we try to provide helpful hints about other avenues of college financing exclusive of need-based financial aid. If you have any questions, you may contact the Office of Financial Aid at 610 758-3181.