Lehigh University's International Student Need-Blind Policy Explained

Lehigh University is a college with a beautiful hilly campus and strong programs in engineering, the natural sciences, and political science. The university offers need-based financial aid to international students, but competition is high and funding is limited. Lehigh is need-blind for first-year students, but need-aware for transfer students. The university's admissions committee pays special attention to students who apply during one of their two Early Decision rounds, filling 40% of the class with these applicants.

Lehigh University is need-aware for international students

International students who wish to be considered for need-based financial aid must submit the CSS Profile through the College Board by the admissions application deadline. They may also submit the International Student Application for Financial Aid (ISAFA) if the $25 CSS Profile fee presents a significant financial hardship. However, Lehigh University strongly prefers the CSS Profile, as there are a limited number of spaces available each year for those submitting the ISAFA.

In addition to the CSS Profile, international students must also submit the Lehigh University Certificate of Finances form, indicating their financial need for all intended years of undergraduate enrollment. This form can be uploaded through the admissions checklist once the student has submitted their application and established their applicant portal.

Lehigh University provides need-based financial assistance to a limited number of admitted non-US citizens who have demonstrated financial need. The university aims to meet 100% of the demonstrated need (excluding travel and personal expenses) for as many admitted students as possible with the limited funds available. However, admissions decisions for non-US citizens are ultimately need-aware, and some candidates who apply for financial aid may be declined if the university's financial aid budget has been exhausted.

It is important to note that Lehigh University's need-aware policy only applies to international students and not to first-year students or domestic students. The university offers merit-based aid to first-year students based on the merit of their admission application, and there are no separate applications required for most merit aid through the Office of Admissions. Additionally, Lehigh University provides need-based financial aid to domestic students, which is reviewed and processed in the same manner as financial aid for international students.

The university provides need-based financial aid to a limited number of non-US citizens

Lehigh University is a private university with a strong focus on engineering, natural sciences, and political science. The university offers need-based financial aid to international students, but it is limited and highly competitive. The university's admissions process is need-aware for non-US citizens, meaning their ability to pay is considered alongside academic merit.

For non-US citizens to be considered for need-based financial aid, they must submit the required forms, including the Lehigh University Certificate of Finances and the CSS Profile or International Student Application for Financial Aid (if the CSS fee is a financial burden). The university aims to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students, excluding travel and personal expenses. However, some candidates who apply for financial aid but do not demonstrate need may still be admitted without a financial aid offer. Conversely, some candidates who the university wishes to admit may be declined due to a depleted financial aid budget.

Lehigh University's financial aid is based on a combination of merit and need. The university offers merit aid to first-year students based on the strength of their admission application, with no separate application required. Additionally, the university provides work-study opportunities, allowing students to earn funds to cover their unbilled expenses.

It is important to note that Lehigh University's need-blind status is a subject of discussion, with some sources indicating that the university is need-blind for first-year students, while others state that it is need-aware. The university's financial aid policies and procedures are outlined on its website, providing detailed information for prospective students.

International students must submit the Lehigh University Certificate of Finances form

International students at Lehigh University are not considered for admission without regard for their financial status (need-blind). The university practices a need-aware review of applications from non-US citizens. This means that international students are evaluated for admission with consideration of their ability, or the ability of their guardians or sponsors, to pay educational costs.

International students who will need financial aid during their time at Lehigh are required to submit the Lehigh University Certificate of Finances form. This form must be filled out for all intended years of undergraduate enrollment. The form can be uploaded through the admissions checklist once the application has been submitted and the applicant portal has been established. The form must be submitted by the application deadline.

The Lehigh University Certificate of Finances form requires students to indicate the value of funds available for each year of their undergraduate enrollment. This can be anywhere from $0 to $89,800 for each year. Students must also submit the CSS Profile through the College Board by the admissions application deadline. There is a $25 fee to complete the CSS Profile, but if this presents a significant financial hardship, students can submit the International Student Application for Financial Aid (ISAFA) instead. The ISAFA can also be uploaded through the admissions checklist.

Lehigh University provides need-based financial assistance to a limited number of admitted non-US citizens who have applied for financial aid and demonstrated financial need. The university aims to meet 100% of the demonstrated need for as many admitted students as possible with the limited funds available. Financial aid is limited to eight consecutive semesters from the time a student starts at Lehigh University.

Lehigh awards merit scholarships to students in the top 5% of the applicant pool

Lehigh University provides need-based financial assistance to a limited number of non-US citizens who require financial aid and can demonstrate their financial need. The university aims to meet 100% of the demonstrated need for as many admitted students as possible with the funds available. However, admissions decisions for non-US citizens are need-aware, meaning that international students' ability to pay educational costs is considered alongside the holistic admissions process.

Lehigh University offers merit scholarships to students in the top 5% of the applicant pool. These merit scholarships are awarded based on the student's admission application, with no separate application required. The most prestigious merit scholarships are valued at full or half tuition and are renewable annually for up to eight consecutive semesters, provided the recipient maintains a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and is enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student.

Lehigh's holistic approach to awarding merit scholarships considers various factors beyond academic talent. The university reviews students' contributions outside the classroom, recommendations, and personal essays. Some scholarships require an additional application, while others consider all applicants solely based on their application to Lehigh.

Lehigh University also offers specific merit scholarships for students with exceptional musical and theatrical talent, instrumental musicians who demonstrate leadership skills, and those who are members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. These scholarships range in value from $1,000 to full-tuition scholarships and are renewable annually, provided certain academic and extracurricular criteria are met.

It is important to note that Lehigh's merit scholarships are highly competitive, and students should aim to demonstrate a combination of excellent grades, test scores, leadership qualities, community involvement, extracurricular achievements, strong recommendation letters, and compelling essays to increase their chances of being awarded a scholarship.

The university offers an Integrated Degree in Engineering and Arts & Sciences

Lehigh University is not need-blind for international students. The university provides need-based financial assistance to a limited number of admitted non-US citizens who have applied for financial aid and demonstrated financial need. Admissions decisions for non-US citizens are need-aware, meaning that international students are evaluated for admission with consideration of their ability to pay educational costs.

Lehigh University offers an Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts & Sciences (IDEAS), a four-year honours programme resulting in an integrated Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. The degree is jointly administered by the College of Arts and Sciences and the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. The programme is designed to provide an interdisciplinary education, allowing students to explore diverse interests across traditional college boundaries.

The IDEAS programme accepts 30-40 highly qualified first-year students each year who have indicated an interest in the programme. Students must maintain a 3.25 GPA to continue in the programme. The curriculum is writing-intensive and presentation-oriented, and students work closely with faculty advisors to create, refine, and explore their IDEAS theme throughout the four-year course.

The degree combines concentrations in engineering and arts & sciences, allowing students to pursue interests such as bioengineering and religion, computer science and graphic design, industrial engineering and international relations, bioengineering and molecular biology, or music and computer science. The engineering concentration requires at least 16 credits of advanced coursework (200-level or above), while the arts and sciences concentration requires an equivalent number of credits drawn from traditional CAS disciplines or approved interdisciplinary concentrations.

The IDEAS programme is designed so that students who transfer out after the first year can still complete an arts and sciences or engineering degree in four years. Students interested in pursuing a professionally accredited engineering degree may choose to do so in an optional fifth year of study.

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