Lehigh Merit Scholarships

Scholarships and merit-based awards are gift aid awarded to undergraduate students solely on a merit basis. When awarding merit aid, we take a holistic approach, looking beyond the numbers related to academic talent alone and reviewing what a student contributes outside the classroom as well as considering recommendations and personal essays.

Some of Lehigh's scholarships require an additional application; for others, all students are considered just by applying to Lehigh. In addition to the requirements and stipulations below, all scholarships/merit-based awards are renewable annually for up to eight consecutive semesters (10 consecutive semesters for students enrolled in a bona-fide five-year program), provided the student is enrolled as a full-time undergraduate at Lehigh and maintains the minimum cumulative grade point average designated in the scholarship descriptions below. Additional information regarding all of Lehigh's financial aid policies can be found on the Office of Financial Aid's website. Be sure to read the summaries below for the steps you need to take in order to be considered for an award.

Please note that students who receive merit awards but also show demonstrated financial need are eligible to receive grant money to meet, but not exceed, their calculated need.

Academic Merit Awards/Scholarships

Alice P. Gast STEM Scholarship

Former Lehigh President Alice P. Gast believed deeply in advancing women in STEM careers. As a result, she established a fund to support the ambitions of young women interested in pursuing a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) field at Lehigh. The awardee is provided with annual support of $12,500 for tuition and research-related activities in STEM fields. Continued enrollment in a STEM field and a grade point average of 3.0 are required to maintain this scholarship. All full-time admitted undergraduate students will be considered by the Committee on Admissions.

Dean's Scholars

Students who excel academically and demonstrate leadership skills may qualify for these awards of $15,000 per academic year (starting with the class entering Fall 2022). These awards are renewable annually for up to eight consecutive semesters (or 10 consecutive semesters for students enrolled in a bona-fide five-year program), provided the recipient maintains a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and is enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student. No additional application beyond the application for admission is necessary for these awards. All full-time admitted students will be considered by the Committee on Admissions.

Founder's and Trustees' Scholarships

Lehigh's most prestigious merit scholarship awards are given to students in the top tier of our applicant pool. These awards are valued at full or half tuition, and are renewable annually for up to eight consecutive semesters (or 10 consecutive semesters for students enrolled in a bona-fide five-year program), provided the recipient maintains a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and is enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student. No additional application beyond the application for admission is necessary for these awards. All full-time admitted students will be considered by the Committee on Admissions.

Soaring Together Scholarship Program

Lehigh’s Soaring Together Scholarship Program provides full-tuition merit scholarships—along with experiential learning opportunities, alumni support and career and professional development—in celebration of 50 years of Lehigh women and coeducation at Lehigh. For more information, visit the Soaring Together Scholarship Program website.

Lehigh University Merit Scholarship/National Merit Scholarship

Applicants who are National Merit Finalists will receive $1,000 or $2,000 from Lehigh University. No additional application is necessary.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to admitted transfer students who are members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society in recognition of their extraordinary academic and extracurricular accomplishments. Recipients will be recognized with a $10,000 scholarship per academic year (distributed by semester) above and beyond any need-based financial aid that has been awarded. This scholarship is renewable for up to eight consecutive semesters (or 10 consecutive semesters for students enrolled in a bona-fide five-year program), provided you maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8 and are enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at Lehigh University.

Arts Scholarships

Cutler-Sametz Choral Arts Scholarships

Several merit scholarships of $5,000 are available for gifted students in the Choral Arts who maintain at least a 2.8 grade point average. Talented singers are eligible for these scholarships, which are renewable for four years. Recipients also receive free vocal lessons. Scholars are expected to join the University Choir and one other Choral Ensemble in the Music Department. All financial aid applications must be completed. A separate application from the Department of Music is required. For more information, contact Sun Min Lee at sul212@lehigh.edu or visit the Department of Music website for the online application. The scholarship application deadline is January 10.

Snyder Family Marching Scholarships

Established by alumnus Joseph Snyder and family, these scholarships are for incoming student instrumental musicians who demonstrate musical talent, leadership skills, and who intend to perform with the Marching 97 in each fall undergraduate semester. The scholarship provides an initial award of $1,500 per year, increasing annually over four years. Snyder Scholars also receive free lessons on their primary instrument. Recipients must maintain at least a 2.8 grade point average. A separate application, due January 10, is required. For more information on instrumental scholarships and the application procedure, contact Linda Ganus at lcg3@lehigh.edu or visit the Department of Music website for the online application.

Performing Arts Scholarships in Music

Open to students in any academic major or program, these scholarships recognize incoming student instrumental musicians who demonstrate musical talent, leadership skills, and who are willing to participate in at least two instrumental ensembles, as specified by the ensemble directors. These scholarships are valued at $5,000 each and are renewable annually for four years. Performing Arts Scholars also receive free lessons on their primary instrument. Recipients must maintain at least a 2.8 grade point average. A separate application, due January 10, is required. For more information on instrumental scholarships and the application procedure, contact Linda Ganus at lcg3@lehigh.edu or visit the Department of Music website for the online application.

Performing Arts Scholarships in Theatre

Open to students in any academic major or program, these scholarships recognize students with exceptional theatrical (including performance, design, technical, and playwriting) talent. These scholarships are valued at $5,000 each and are renewable for four years. Recipients must maintain an active presence in the Department of Theatre and at least a 2.8 grade point average. A separate electronic application, due by February 10, 2020, is required. For more information, contact the Department of Theatre at (610) 758-3640, email inthscho@lehigh.edu or visit the Department of Theatre website for the online application.

Athletics Awards/Scholarships

A limited number of athletics scholarships are available for students with exceptional athletic ability. No additional application beyond the application for admission is necessary.

The Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps Scholarship

The Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps scholarship benefit package covers full tuition and mandatory fees at Lehigh University. In addition to tuition and mandatory fees, scholarship Cadets are provided a book allowance of $1200 per year, as well as a monthly stipend. Lehigh University provides a supplemental room & board scholarship for those Cadets that make the commitment to serve as an Army Officer upon graduation. For more information on how to apply for an Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps scholarship, please visit www.lehigh.edu/go/rotc.

 

Important Financial Aid Deadlines

The details below will help you understand your responsibilities and provide a timeline to ensure you have the best possible financial aid package in place for the upcoming academic year.
Student Type Application Deadline Award Notification
Early Decision I November 1 Mid-December
Early Decision II January 1  Mid-February
Regular Decision January 15
(Non-U.S. citizens: January 1)
Late March
Current Students March 15 Late June
Fall Transfer April 1 Late May
Spring Transfer November 1 Late December

 

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Career Placement

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