Lehigh University

Lehigh University helps incoming students pay for their education in a variety of ways. While the Admissions Office offers several ways for students to be considered for academic or talent-based scholarships, the Financial Aid Office provides need-based aid to its students and provides students with their own assigned financial aid counselor to help navigate the financial aid process. The Financial Aid Office also provides need-based aid as explained on its Tuition and Financial Aid Page. Lehigh University’s strives to meet 100% of all admitted students’ demonstrated financial need. The university also began a Loan Reduction and Elimination Initiative in order to help educate students on cost, expenses, and loan information and education.

Demonstrated financial need is assessed through the submission the CSS Profile and the FAFSA along with some additional supporting documents  which can be submitted directly to Lehigh University. Financial aid forms including the CSS and FAFSA must be submitted by deadlines in order to to be considered for the maximum possible financial need-based award. The university provides access to this Prospective Student Financial Aid Checklist which breaks down the process and forms into more manageable steps. Admitted students will be provided personalized information to log onto the Lehigh portal. This portal will provide students with any outstanding paperwork requirements or forms. Once all of these forms are completed and submitted by the appropriate deadlines, students will be considered for grants and scholarships, loans, and federal work-study opportunities. Additionally, outside scholarship aid is also accepted. Special populations are also eligible for financial aid, including  veterans, graduate students, transfer students, and international students.  Short-term financial aid (winter or summer) is available to students with these needs as well. Emergency aid is available to students who experience a sudden, unexpected financial need. These could be situations where medical or dental emergencies exist, a death in the family, or other urgent and/or traumatic situations.

Some basic financial planning tools are available on the Lehigh University website. These include a net price calculator along with its related net cost worksheet, a handy financial aid glossary, and frequently asked questions relating to financial aid where students can browse questions or also put search terms into a search box for more specific information. The Bursar’s Office offers payment plan options for students and families trying to budget their way through college and have outstanding tuition bills.

A Financial Education Initiative at Lehigh University, called Commoncents Financial Literacy links to many financial educational resources. These include information and sites about student loan resources, free budgeting resources, credit information, online learning tools, and a link to the Career and Professional Development page. The Commoncents program is a peer-led program where students can meet with Peer Financial Educators, but students or faculty can request to meet with a certified financial aid counselor if they prefer. This program provides professionals and students to offer a comprehensive source of financial education to its students.   

The Financial Education Center opened in April of 2018 on the Mountaintop Campus. The aim of this center will be to provide student internship opportunities and financial literacy and educational related workshops.