Lesley University: Need-Based Aid For International Students?

Lesley University offers a variety of scholarships, grants, work-study, and loan options to help students pay for their education. While international students are not eligible for federal or state funding, there are still several funding options available to them. These include scholarships, private loans, and student jobs. Additionally, international students can apply for merit-based institutional scholarships, which are awarded based on academic performance and potential for success. Lesley University also offers tuition discounts and work options for international students. The university recommends that students explore all their options and apply for financial aid, even if they believe they may not qualify.

Scholarships and grants for international students

International students are not eligible for federal or state funding and therefore do not need to fill out the Free Application for Federal and Student Aid (FAFSA). However, there are still scholarships, private loans, and student jobs that international students can apply for.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Lesley University offers a limited number of merit scholarships for international students. These are awarded based on the strength of the student's academic record and their potential for further success. Students applying to the College of Art & Design will also be assessed on the strength of their portfolio.

Graduate Scholarships

Lesley University offers several merit scholarships for graduate students. These are also based on the strength of the student's application.

Dimock Scholars @ Lesley

This scholarship is intended for students enrolled in the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program or the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. Each Dimock Scholar will receive a generous scholarship, a guaranteed internship at the Dimock Center, and the opportunity to be part of a cohort model to build a community of support throughout their careers as counselors.

Eliot Scholars @ Lesley

The Eliot Scholars @ Lesley Program is intended for students enrolled in the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program or the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. Each Eliot Scholar will receive a generous scholarship, a guaranteed internship at Eliot Community Human Services, and the opportunity to be part of a cohort model to build a community of support throughout their career as counselors.

Quincy Scholars @ Lesley

The Quincy Scholars @ Lesley Program is intended for full-time or part-time students in a variety of Master of Education (MEd) programs. As a Quincy Scholar, students will receive 6 free credits of tuition and support through their state-required practicum.

Riverside Scholars @ Lesley Program

The Riverside Scholars @ Lesley Program is intended for full-time students enrolled in the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Each Riverside Scholar will receive a generous scholarship, two guaranteed internships at a Riverside Outpatient Clinic, and the opportunity to be part of a cohort model to build a community of support throughout their careers as counselors.

Early Childhood Educators (ECE) Scholarship

The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) jointly offer this scholarship to help early educators increase their qualifications through a college degree. This scholarship is open to people working in early childhood education settings and EEC-certified residential programs who are pursuing majors in Child Development or Elementary Education.

Federal TEACH Grant for Education Students

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is federal money that supports students who plan to become teachers, specifically in low-income schools and high-need subject areas.

Post-9/11 GI Bill® & Yellow Ribbon Program for Veterans

Lesley University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, making it possible for veterans and their dependents to earn a degree. The program helps to close the gap between the amount the Post-9/11 GI Bill® covers and the actual amount for tuition and fees at private institutions.

Private Scholarships

Private scholarships are funds that students research and apply for themselves. Lesley University has compiled a list of places that provide scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study.

Work-Study

International students can apply for part-time, paid jobs on campus through the Lesley Works employment program.

Private loans for international students

As an international student, you are not eligible for federal or state funding and therefore cannot apply for the Free Application for Federal and Student Aid (FAFSA). However, Lesley University does offer private (alternative) education loans for international students. These loans can cover the difference between the cost of your education and the funds you receive from other sources.

• Know your FICO score: Lenders use your FICO score to determine your credit risk. The higher the FICO score, the better (lower) the interest rate you'll get on the loan.
• Improve your FICO score: Get a free credit report and check it for errors. Pay bills on time, settle past-due accounts, pay down debt, and reduce the percentage of your total credit card balances to below 30% of total available credit.
• Research options and rates: Determine the lenders you are interested in before completing your first credit application. Having multiple applications within 30 days will only result in 1 hard inquiry. Apply to several lenders to find the most competitive rates in this 30-day window.
• Questions to ask about the private loan or lender: Consider factors such as the Annual Percentage Rate (APR), interest capitalization, and the total cost of the loan to determine the best private loan product for you.

Lenders are included on the Private Loan List because they have notified Lesley University that they offer private educational loans for the current academic year. If you decide to use a lender or loan product not listed on the Private Loan List, notify Lesley's Financial Aid Office so they can certify your loan of choice.

Student jobs for international students

Lesley University offers a few funding options for international students. These include scholarships, tuition discounts, work options, and private loans.

International students at Lesley University can apply for part-time, paid jobs on campus through the Lesley Works employment program. The university sets the hourly rate and students can work up to 20 hours per week across all positions. There is no maximum amount that can be earned in a year, except for the limit of the department's budget.

International students are not eligible for Federal Work-Study jobs. However, they can get authorized to work off-campus through Curricular Practical Training and Optional Practical Training.

The Career Resource Center at Lesley University can help students find work off-campus. Students can search the Center's listings for office jobs, temporary projects, or other forms of employment.

Tuition discounts for international students

Lesley University offers a variety of tuition discounts for its students, including international students. Here are some of the notable tuition discounts:

The Lesley Dividend

The Lesley Dividend is the university's biggest discount, where students who earn their bachelor's degree from Lesley become eligible for 12 free credits toward their master's degree. This can result in a significant tuition savings of $7,800 to $13,560. The award is applied over two semesters, with six free credits in the first semester and the remaining six in the last semester of graduate study. It's important to note that the Lesley Dividend cannot be used for certificate or non-degree programs, advancing from one master's program to another, or in conjunction with other discounts or institutional scholarships.

City Year Partnership Discount

Lesley University offers a 25% tuition discount to City Year's corps members, alumni, and staff enrolled in select graduate programs. This discount applies only to total tuition costs that have not already been reduced by other Lesley partners. To qualify, City Year corps members and alumni must complete at least one year of service, and City Year staff members must be employed for a minimum of two years. The scholarship can be renewed each semester as long as the student maintains good academic standing.

Other Lesley Graduate Tuition Discounts

In addition to the City Year Partnership Discount, Lesley University offers four other types of tuition discounts applicable to several campus-based graduate programs:

• Lesley Alumni Discount: A 10% reduction for most campus-based courses at the on-campus rate for alumni. It does not apply to dual-degree programs combining a bachelor's and master's degree or Lesley Dividend recipients.
• Senior Citizen Discount: A 10% reduction for most campus-based courses at the on-campus rate for individuals aged 55 or above.
• City of Cambridge Employee Discount: A 10% tuition reduction for most campus-based graduate courses at the on-campus rate for employees of the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts, including public school teachers and government employees.
• Cambridge Resident Discount: A 10% tuition reduction for most campus-based graduate courses at the on-campus rate for residents of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

It's important to note that these discounts do not apply to undergraduate programs, Threshold, off-campus programs, Creative Writing MFA, Visual Arts MFA, Photography MFA, low-residency programs, or online courses. They also cannot be combined with other promotional rates, institutional scholarships, or special offering rates.

Payment plans for international students

As an international student, you are not eligible for federal or state funding and therefore cannot apply for the Free Application for Federal and Student Aid (FAFSA). However, Lesley University offers a few funding options for international students.

Payment Plans

Lesley University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay their tuition in a series of smaller payments instead of one lump sum. You can set up a payment plan with the Student Accounts Office.

Scholarships and Grants

There are some scholarships that international students may be eligible for. These include:

• Lesley Merit Scholarships: These are awarded based on the strength of your academic record and your potential for further success.
• Urban Scholars Initiative: This scholarship offers 50% off tuition for first-year and transfer undergraduate students from partner community organizations.
• Community Scholarships: These are available for students from certain communities or schools.
• Graduate Merit Scholarships: These are awarded to graduate students based on the strength of their application.

Loans

International students can also consider private (alternative) education loans from a private lender.

Frequently asked questions