Frequently Asked Questions
What forms do I need to complete?
All applicants for financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Additional information may be required of some applicants; the financial aid office will notify you of any missing documents or additional requirements once your Lesley Application and/or Free Application for Federal Student Aid have been received. For more information about the forms required for your academic program, visit the Application Process.
In addition, financial aid is available only to accepted applicants. If you have not already applied for admission, we encourage you to do so at the same time you are completing your financial aid application materials.
How do I check the status of my aid application?
Our customer care representatives can assist you by checking the status of your application. You may email your question to finaid@lesley.edu or call 617.349.8581 (toll-free 1.800.999.1959, extension 8581). We are open 9AM-6PM, Monday through Thursday, and 10AM-5PM on Fridays.
How do I register for classes with financial aid?
If you have received a financial aid award letter, you may simply check off the box on your registration form indicating you are a financial aid recipient. This information will be confirmed at the time your registration form is processed. Financial aid recipients in off-campus programs are required to register for all their semester classes at once, in order to maintain financial aid eligibility and defer any prior loans.
How do I receive my Federal Direct Stafford loan?
We will notify you of your Stafford loan eligibility on your award letter. After you receive your award letter, you will have to complete a few steps in order for the loan to be credited to your student account. All students must accept or decline their loan(s) using the Lesley Online Information System (LOIS). If you are a first-time borrower of a Stafford Loan at Lesley, you must complete Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note through the U.S. Department of Education's website.
What is a Direct Loan Entrance Interview?
First time borrowers of a federal Direct Stafford loan are required to complete Loan Entrance Counseling (also called the Entrance Interview), which advises you of the terms and conditions, and your rights and responsibilities as a Stafford loan borrower. The entrance interview takes about 20 minutes to complete online at the U.S. Department of Education's website.
How do I accept, decline, or revise my aid offer?
We assume that you want any scholarships, need-based grants or work-study that have been offered, and you don't have to accept these awards. However, any Federal Direct Stafford Loans (subsidized and/or unsubsidized) will require additional steps before they can be credited to your student account. Log in to your LOIS account at www.lesley.edu/LOIS and follow the instructions to accept, decline, or revise your award. We encourage you to consider your educational expense needs and to limit borrowing if possible. If you experience difficulty, you may send an email to finaid@lesley.edu with your name, Lesley ID#, the total amount of Federal Direct Stafford Loans you would like to accept, and the academic year to which you are referring.
When will I receive a credit balance refund?
Your aid may result in a credit balance if your billed tuition and fees are less than the amount of aid applied to your student account. If you have a credit balance on your student account after all charges have been paid in full, a credit balance refund will automatically be issued by the Student Accounts Office. Normally, credit balance refunds are available approximately 10-14 business days after a credit balance occurs and the resulting refund check is mailed to your permanent home address.
I've changed my enrollment plans. Will it affect my aid?
Your financial aid award will be based on your intended enrollment. Most aid programs require that you enroll at least half-time in a semester (6 credits for undergraduate students, 3 credits for graduate students) in order to receive aid for that semester. Changes in your enrollment can affect the amount of aid you may receive, and the periods of time you may be eligible to receive it. If you change your plans, please notify the Financial Aid Office in writing or by sending an email to finaid@lesley.edu in order to avoid delays in your scheduled financial aid disbursements. We will review your current eligibility and make any necessary changes.
I'm receiving tuition reimbursement or a private scholarship. Will it affect my aid?
Private resources, such as tuition reimbursement, alternative loans, and private scholarships are resources towards education and must be reported to the financial aid office. Your total resources toward education cannot exceed the budgeted costs for education, including tuition, fees, materials, and living expenses. Financial aid from outside resources can be used by students to reduce any unmet federal need or to reduce self-help (loans and work study).