<p>So I really want to go to Lehigh, it is my top choice. However, I heard that Lehigh doesn't give much financial aid- I won't be able to go if it is too expensive. If you attended lehigh or wanted to, how much financial aid did you get? What are my chances of getting financial aid?
Here are my stats if it helps:</p>
<p>Household makes about 190k per yr
GPA: 3.97 uw, 4.6 w (but will go up to about 5.0. By the end of the yr)
SAT: 2040 (M 610 CR 680 W 750)
ACT: will take in fall
Also took 2 SAT subject tests and will take 9 APs if that is a factor at all.</p>
<p>I am also a student athlete, so assuming that I might get a portion of an athletic scholarship...</p>
<p>Your academic stats have no impact on financial aid. However, if you’re also asking whether or not you’ll likely get accepted than I’d say you seem to be a good match even though there’s a lot ( A LOT ) more that goes into the admissions decision. </p>
<p>But onto your question: My family also brings in around $200k / year like yours, and, actually, I received what I consider to be a very generous aid package. I got almost $9,000 a year in grant money, a $5,000 scholarship, and a $2,200 work study. However, I won a $20,000 scholarship through my high school and as a result Lehigh has said that they will reduce my financial aid by that amount. Basically, you should expect to pay at least $40,000 a year. If this is affordable for your family, I’d suggest you apply ED so as to increase your chances of getting good financial aid (it’s first come, first serve). </p>
<p>My son had similar stats. Our Family makes about 180K and we received 6K in grant money last, and 3K this year. No significant assets. We were disappointed. Also, my son was RD and not ED, not sure if that makes a difference. But my son loves it and is doing well.</p>
<p>We found Lehigh to be extremely generous with financial aid. They really did meet 100% of need. However, you have to qualify for the need. A family income in the high 100s most likely will not be considered a high need. If you need significant aid, you might look at a school where you could qualify for merit aid instead.</p>
<p>I live with my mom who makes about 78k a year. I received a very generous financial aid package of almost 25k per year. I don’t play sports, but I have some need and my ethnicity is listed on my common app as Puerto Rican. I think Lehigh loves having an increasingly multi-cultural student body, as I was also accepted into their honors program and I was invited to Diversity Life Weekend. So I think my financial need coupled with my Puerto Rican roots were the tickets to getting such a big aid package, because many other students I spoke to were shocked to hear I had gotten so much. </p>
<p>If they really want you, it doesn’t hurt to call and ask for more (this goes for any college). I spoke to a Lehigh student who asked them for more aid and got it (although they were less helpful for me when I did the same thing). I didn’t end up attending Lehigh but I definitely got a good deal! Just apply and wait.</p>
<p>Financial Aid can be either merit or need. Stats do not matter for need based aid and Lehigh meets need within 1,000 of the demonstrated amount. </p>
<p>For merit, it is very competitive. Between 5-7% of the accepted applicant pool will receive a merit scholarship and the students typically have 1450+ SAT, straight A’s and some leadership. </p>
<p>The aid “philosophy” at Lehigh is need based, not merit.</p>
<p>Lehigh’s Course Catalog says: “Scholarships and merit-based awards are gift aid awarded to 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.”</p>
<p>My son was not eligible for financial aid. He was awarded a Dean’s Scholarship. The above statement from Lehigh is true. Yes, our son had great scores in math and science in the ACT - 34s. His high school GPA was only 3.7. He was not involved in any high school activities. But, he had a very challenging job one year and an internship at a local non-profit another year. Lehigh does take the time to look beyond GPAs and test scores when determining merit based awards. And the personal attention continues once you are admitted!</p>
<p>(State grants + institutional aid) is covering 100% of my tuition. I am happy and proud to say that Lehigh was generous, patient, and understanding. There’s no way I could have managed to afford this school without assistance.</p>
<p>I have a friend who will be going to Lehigh next year on a full tuition scholarship for lacrosse, but she had been recruited by them for at least a year (and she’s a goalie, which they needed for her year). If you haven’t already, you should get in contact with the Lehigh coach of your sport and start expressing interest. I doubt you would get any athletic aid without a serious relationship with the coach, but I’m not 100% on that. Good luck!</p>