Lehigh University

Yes — for freshmen. Lehigh meets up to 100% of demonstrated financial need for international freshman applicants (excluding personal and travel expenses), and under The Lehigh Commitment families earning under $75,000 a year pay zero tuition. Admissions is need-aware, however, so requesting a full ride makes an already competitive process fiercely selective, and international transfer students receive no university aid at all.

No — Lehigh is need-aware for international applicants. The international aid pool is capped, so the admissions committee weighs how much aid you're requesting, and asking for a full ride makes an already competitive process (~37–43% acceptance, lower for full-funding internationals) harder. Once admitted, Lehigh covers up to 100% of your demonstrated need.

No. Lehigh is fully test-optional, so international freshmen are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores. Be aware that a high SAT or ACT score cannot be used to waive the separate English proficiency requirement.

Yes, unless you're exempt. If English is not your first language you must submit English proficiency scores — competitive benchmarks are TOEFL iBT above 95, IELTS 7.5, or Duolingo 120. The requirement is waived only if English is your first language or your last two full years of instruction were completely in English. Critically, a strong SAT or ACT score cannot waive this requirement.

Lehigh does not issue automated College Board CSS Profile fee waiver codes. Instead, international students who can't afford the CSS fee may submit the free ISAFA (International Student Application for Financial Aid) paper form at no cost. Note, however, that spaces for ISAFA applicants are highly limited compared to the CSS Profile. The CSS Profile code for Lehigh is 2365.

Roughly 37% to 43% for freshman admissions, though it runs lower for internationals requesting full funding. Transfer admission is around 24% to 30% and is relatively accessible — but only to international students who can fully self-fund, since Lehigh offers no university aid to international transfers.

No. Lehigh does not offer university-funded need-based aid or merit scholarships to international transfer students — the international funding pool is committed to incoming first-years. International transfers must fully self-fund and submit a mandatory Lehigh Certificate of Finances proving they can cover 100% of their costs. If you need funding at Lehigh, apply as a freshman.

You must indicate your intent to apply for financial aid on your initial first-year application. If you are admitted as a self-funded student, you are permanently barred from receiving institutional aid later — even if your family's finances change or currency exchange rates shift. This is a one-shot decision, so declare your intent to apply for aid up front if there's any chance you'll need it.

The Common Application or Coalition Application, official secondary school transcripts with English translations, a counselor recommendation and School Report, one teacher letter of recommendation, English proficiency scores if English isn't your first language, the Lehigh University Certificate of Finances (COF) form, and either the CSS Profile (code 2365) or the free ISAFA if applying for financial aid. The $75 application fee can be waived with code INTLwaiver2026 in the Common App if your family can't contribute more than $10,000/year.