<p>Lehigh University is definitely my top school. However, the cost of the school is far too great for my family to support. My sister, one year older than me, just became a freshman in another college this year. My dad has not been able to find work since the summer of last year. </p>
<p>With the financial situation we are in now, I may get a significant amount of financial aid this year, if I get accepted. However, if my dad does find work, that financial aid may decrease, and I may not be able to pay for Lehigh any of my following years.</p>
<p>If Lehigh's financial aid does not carry on for all four years it may be a serious problem for me and my family if I decide to attend. Has anyone been in a similar situation? If so, were you able to remain at Lehigh without finding yourself in an astronomical amount of debt?</p>
<p>Lehigh evaluates financial aid each year. Lehigh uses both CSS Profile and the FAFSA to determine your financial AId package. Merit Aid will remain constant as long as you meet the minimum GPA and Academic progress requirements.</p>
<p>I have never heard of any University that does not evaluate financial need on an annual basis.</p>
<p>Hey starlight7,</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear of your father’s situation. With room, board, books, and all other expenses factored in, Lehigh can be astronomically expensive at about $50k.</p>
<p>Mumof2boyz is correct. Merit aid (scholarships, grants, etc.) is constant as long as your grades are constant, too. But need-based aid (state aid, Lehigh’s aid, etc.) is re-evaluated each year when you renew your FAFSA online.</p>
<p>I don’t come from a wealthy household. With my scholarships, aid, and work-study factored in, Lehigh costs as much as an average state school education like at Penn State or Delaware, about $13k to $14k. That’s still considerable, but I’m proud to say my parents saved. I’ve only taken out Stafford loans - about $4k to $5k so far.</p>
<p>If you applied Early Decision, you’ll get first dibs on the money, and Lehigh does give more aid to those applicants. There are also appeals processes that you can go through. If your aid package is reduced after your father finds work, you will obviously have less aid, but you can write appeals for more if you feel it is unfair.</p>
<p>Best of luck moving forward,</p>
<ul>
<li>Mike</li>
</ul>
<p>Yes if your dad gets a job, your need based financial aid will change.</p>
<p>But your need really will be different. I suggest you sit down with your parents and use an EFC calculator inputting potential salaries he might earn (and he will have an idea what he might make on a new job). If the EFC for the potential job is more than your family feels it can pay out of pocket, then you have to make a decision. </p>
<p>You can attend and then transfer at that time. Unless this only affects your senior year, I personally don’t recommend extra debt to stay at a college.</p>
<p>Or you can decide now to attend a less expensive school.</p>
<p>But only you and your parents can decide what is best for all of you.</p>