Lehigh University: Undergraduate Admissions

"This summer, I'm going to be working as a doctor's assistant at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. I did it last summer and it was an amazing experience. Everyday I felt like I was making a difference in the fight against cancer and I couldn't be any happier to do it again."

– Ian McManus '09
Biology/English Major

Admissions > Financial Aid and Financing > Types and Sources of Aid

The basic types of financial aid are grants and scholarships (not subject to repayment); loans (that must be repaid); and campus employment. 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.

In 2008-2009, Lehigh will award more than $54 million in university grants and scholarships. More than 50 percent of Lehigh students benefit from university-funded aid.

Need-Based Aid from Lehigh
University-awarded financial aid comes in some combination of grant, loan and/or job.

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 – Asa Packer Scholars, Dean’s Scholars, and Baker Gifted Arts Scholars – are awarded through the Office of Admissions.

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.

There are various educational loan opportunities for parents/guardians, including the Federal PLUS program, and such private sources as Sallie Mae's Signature Education Loan, Citibank's CitiAssist Loan, Key Alternative Loan, and many others.

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.