Demonstrated Need-Based Grants
These awards are grant aid made to students who demonstrate financial need, apply by established priority dates, and meet the eligibility criteria set forth by each funding program. Grant aid does not have to be repaid. These programs include:
Federal Pell Grants: Federal grant aid for first bachelor's degree students who demonstrate a very high level of need. Eligibility is determined by criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education. The amount of the grant is also based on the student's level of need and the number of credits for which the student will register. For more information, please visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/pell.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG): This federal program provides grant assistance to first bachelor's degree students with exceptional financial need. At Lesley, priority for receiving FSEOG is given first to Federal Pell Grant eligible students who are registered for 12 or more credits each academic semester.
TEACH Grant: Through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, Congress created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program that provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. For more information about the responsibilities that a student assumes in receiving this grant, please go to the Financial Aid Office website at lesley.edu/academics/guide-financial-aid-scholarships-undergraduate-first-year-and-transfer-students under “TEACH Grant.”
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant: A student whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001 may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. Additional student eligibility requirements include that the student must be ineligible for a Federal Pell Grant due only to having less financial need than is required to receive Pell funds, be under 24 years old, or be enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death. The grant award is equal to the amount of a maximum Pell Grant for the award year. For more information, please visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/iraq-afghanistan-service.
State Grants: These are awarded directly by the state of a student’s residence to first bachelor's degree students. Most states require that a student be registered for a minimum of 12 credits per semester in order to receive their respective state’s grant consideration. To apply for a state grant in Massachusetts and most other states, the student completes a FAFSA by the state's priority deadline which can be confirmed at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa under “Student Aid Deadlines”. Although Lesley anticipates Massachusetts state grant eligibility on the student's award letter, the student also will be notified of eligibility directly by the state.
Massachusetts Gilbert Grants: These are funds allocated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to Lesley for distribution to eligible full-time, bachelor's degree students who are permanent residents of Massachusetts with a demonstrated high level of need.
Lesley Need Based Grants: The Lesley Grant is provided, for up to eight semesters to students who demonstrate financial need and have applied for financial aid consideration by the established priority date.
Employment
Employment programs offer students the opportunity to apply for and be hired for part time employment and earn a paycheck every two weeks. All on-campus student employment opportunities are listed and hiring requests are processed through the Financial Aid Office. Students may obtain general conditions and terms applicable as well as a listing of available positions on the Financial Aid Office website at www.lesley.edu under "Student Jobs”. Instructions regarding employment opportunities and hiring procedures are e-mailed to main campus students in August (and in January for spring semester starts). Job postings for the academic year are released over the Labor Day weekend and are maintained throughout the academic year through the end of the spring semester.
Federal Work Study Program (FWSP): This need-based, federally subsidized work program provides part-time employment opportunities on campus or at nearby off-campus non-profit community service sites for eligible students. Eligibility is announced in a student’s financial aid award letter and instructions regarding employment application and hiring procedures are emailed to the student in August (and in January for spring semester starts). Eligible students are encouraged to choose jobs which meet their interests, relate to their course of study, and fit in with available free time. Earnings through FWSP are taxable income.
Lesley Works Program (LWP): Students who have not applied for financial aid or who did not receive Federal Work Study consideration are still eligible to obtain on-campus employment at Lesley through the Lesley Works program. Earnings through the LWP are taxable income.
Students may also wish to contact the Career Resource Center on the fourth floor of Doble Hall on the Doble Campus or at 617-349-8550 where a listing of off-campus employment opportunities can be found.
Loans
These governmentally regulated programs offer eligible students and/or parents low-interest loans to be applied to the costs of their college education. In accepting a loan, a student/parent assumes the responsibility to repay the loan under its specific terms and conditions. All students who wish to borrow federally sponsored loans will be responsible to complete entrance counseling prior to having their initial loan disbursed. Also, students who have borrowed who are leaving school or who drop below half-time status should meet with their financial aid counselor and will need to complete an exit interview session to confirm their loan terms, repayment schedules and their rights and responsibilities.
For Washington State residents seeking information and resources about student loan repayment or seeking to submit a complaint relating to your student loans or student loan servicer, please visit wsac.wa.gov/loan-advocacy or contact the Student Loan Advocate at loanadvocate@wsac.wa.gov.
Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan: This federally subsidized loan (the government pays interest while a student is enrolled at least half time) is available to eligible aid applicants as determined by the Lesley University Financial Aid Office. Interest for borrowers at the time of publishing is being projected to be fixed at 2.75% with loan processing fees assessed by the U.S. Department of Education of 1.057%. Bachelor degree candidates may qualify for up to $5,500 in subsidized Stafford loan consideration per year depending upon their completed academic credit level. Interest and principal payments begin six months after a student is no longer enrolled at least half-time (6 credits per semester) however interest will not be subsidized during the six-month grace period for subsidized loans for which the first disbursement is made on or after July 1, 2012, and before July 1, 2014. For more information, please visit studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan: The federal unsubsidized Stafford loan is available to applicants who are not eligible for the subsidized Stafford Loan. Interest for borrowers at the time of publishing is being projected to be fixed at 2.75% with loan processing fees of 1.057% The student is responsible for the interest that accumulates while they are enrolled and can choose to pay the interest quarterly or allow the accumulated interest to be added back into the principle balance of the loan. Bachelor degree candidates may qualify for up to $12,500 in unsubsidized Stafford loan consideration per year depending upon their completed academic credit level, dependency status as determined by the U.S. Department of Education on the FAFSA application and the results of the need analysis performed by the Financial Aid Office. Most of the terms and conditions of subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans are the same. For more information, please visit studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized.
Massachusetts No-Interest Loan: This loan program is offered through the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) to bachelor’s degree students who are Massachusetts residents who meet eligibility requirements established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. No interest is accrued or charged on the principal of this loan, which enters repayment six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. Students have ten years to repay their loan balance. For more information, please visit www.mass.edu/osfa/programs/nointerest.asp.
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan: The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is a federally guaranteed loan available to parents of dependent undergraduate students. Eligibility is based on creditworthiness. The interest rate on the Federal PLUS Loan is projected to be at 5.30%. The rate is set every July 1st for the following academic year. The loan processing fee assessed by the U.S. Department of Education and reduced proportionally from each loan is 4.228%. Parents may borrow up to the cost of education minus other financial aid. Repayment of the Federal PLUS Loan begins 60 days after full disbursement of the loan proceeds or can be deferred by request to the U.S. Department of Education. The Federal FAFSA application must be completed by the student and their family for the Federal PLUS loan to be certified by the Financial Aid Office. For more information, please visit studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/loans/plus/parent.
Merit-Based Scholarships
Lesley's guaranteed merit-based scholarship opportunities were established to recognize students with strong academic performance who demonstrate potential for further success in college and who will contribute greatly to the academic life of the college. Equally important, are the ways in which these students have already influenced the lives of others through their involvement both in school and in the community. Guaranteed merit-based scholarships range from $5,000 to full tuition. The qualifications necessary to be awarded a merit scholarship can be found online at lesley.edu/academics/guide-financial-aid-scholarships-undergraduate-first-year-and-transfer-students under "Scholarships & Grants".
Lesley Dividend
Most of our students find that a master's degree is a necessary credential given the fields they enter. Students who graduate from a Lesley undergraduate program and are accepted into a Lesley master’s program, will be eligible for the Lesley Dividend. The Lesley Dividend is worth 12 free graduate credits. The first six (6) free graduate credits can be claimed in the first semester of your graduate program. Graduate Admissions will identify you as being Dividend-eligible upon acceptance into a master’s degree program. The Dividend will be reflected on your first semester’s billing statement as pending financial aid. The remaining six (6) free graduate credits are to be applied in your final semester. Students must submit a Dividend Petition for use of the final six (6) free graduate credits. Details can be found under "Tuition Discounts" at lesley.edu/academics/guide-financial-aid-scholarships-graduate-doctoral-students.