Financial Aid at Lesley College

How Do I Apply?

Lesley College's financial aid application process begins by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Include Lesley University's Federal School Code (002160), so that the Financial Aid Office can receive your application electronically. Once we receive your FAFSA information, you will be notified by mail of any additional required documents. For more information about the application process, as well as any forms you may be required to submit, click below:

Application Process and Downloadable Forms

Once you have submitted all required documents and been accepted for admission, your application will be reviewed and you will be sent a Financial Aid Award Letter.

What Kinds of Awards Could I Get?

Below are the basic types of financial aid that might be on a Lesley College Award Letter. Click the links in the list below to learn more about each type.

• Merit Scholarships

• Need-Based Grants

• Federal Loans

• Student Work

• Additional Sources of Aid

Need-Based Grants

Grants are free money that does not have to be repaid. In order to receive your maximum eligibility for federal and state grants, you must register for all classes, including independent studies, and must have submitted completed consortium agreements before the end of each semester’s add/drop period.

Lesley College Grant:

The Lesley College Grant is provided for up to eight semesters to students with demonstrated financial aid eligibility that apply for financial aid by the established priority deadline. Total grant funding will remain consistent throughout the four years of eligibility, provided that your family's financial situation remains constant. We encourage all students to complete the financial aid application process, regardless of what you believe your eligibility to be.

Federal Pell Grant:

The Pell Grant is a need-based Federal grant for first-time bachelor's degree students. Eligibility is determined by criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education and the enrollment status of the student.

State Grants/Scholarships:

Many states provide grant assistance to undergraduate students. Students must meet their state's application deadline and financial aid eligibility requirements. If you are a Massachusetts Resident, your Lesley College award letter may indicate an estimate of MassGrant eligibility if Lesley University anticipates you will receive this award. Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont residents may also be eligible to apply state grants or scholarships towards a Lesley University education. Click here for more information.

Federal Loans

Federal loans help students and parents finance a college education by borrowing federally backed funds at a reasonable interest rate. Stafford and Perkins loans do not require a credit history or credit check.

Federal Stafford Loan (Subsidized and Unsubsidized):

The federally subsidized Stafford Loan is a need-based loan program available to eligible aid applicants. The unsubsidized Stafford Loan is available to those students who do not qualify for the subsidized Stafford Loan. The interest for subsidized Stafford Loans is paid by the government while the student is enrolled on at least a half-time basis. The interest for unsubsidized loans is paid by the student while enrolled on at least a half-time basis or it may be deferred (capitalized onto the principal loan balance) until repayment begins. The current interest rate for new borrowers is fixed at 6.0% for 2008-2009 undergraduate Subsidized Stafford Loans, 5.6% for 2009-2010 undergraduate Subsidized Stafford Loans (beginning July 1, 2009), and 6.8% for all undergraduate Unsubsidized Stafford Loans. Bachelor's degree candidates may qualify for $5,500 to $12,500 per year depending upon their grade level in school and dependency status. Repayment begins six months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time.

Lesley University participates in the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program, which means that Stafford Loans are borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. More information about Stafford Loans can be found here.

Federal Perkins Loan

This federally subsidized loan program has a fixed 5% interest rate, and is offered to students who demonstrate significant financial need. Repayment begins nine months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time.

Federal Parent Loan (Parent PLUS):

The Federal PLUS Loan is a federally guaranteed loan available to parents of dependent undergraduate students. Eligibility is based on credit worthiness. The interest rate on new Federal Direct PLUS Loans is currently fixed at 7.9%. The rate is set every July 1st, for the year.

Repayment begins 60 days after the funds are fully disbursed, and the repayment term is up to 10 years. Beginning July 1, 2008, parents now have the option to defer payments on the Parent PLUS loan while the undergraduate student on whose behalf they borrowed the PLUS loan is in-school and for a six-month grace period after the student graduates or drops below full-time enrollment. (Payments can also be deferred if the parents are themselves enrolled in college. They will need to submit an application for an in-school deferment.) Since the interest on the PLUS loan is not subsidized, it continues to accrue while deferred and is capitalized when the loan enters repayment. To request Parent PLUS Loan deferment, please call the Direct Loan Servicing Center at 1-800-557-7394.

As with the Federal Stafford Loan, Lesley University is now processing PLUS Loans through the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program. Effective for enrollment periods of Fall 2009 and later, Lesley College parents wishing to borrow PLUS loans will be borrowing directly through the U.S. Department of Education.

Lesley University does not include Parent PLUS loan eligibility on a student's award letter, but if a parent would like to apply for the PLUS loan he or she can submit a 2009-2010 Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Application [pdf] to the Lesley University Financial Aid Office. The parent borrower must also complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN), which can be done online by following this link and selecting "Complete New MPN for Parent PLUS Loan."

Student Work

Federal Work Study:

This federal program offers eligible students in on-campus programs the opportunity to earn part of their personal expenses through part-time, on-campus or qualifying off-campus employment. Awards traditionally do not do not exceed $1800 per year.

Click here for more detailed information on Student Employment and to browse current job postings.

Lesley Work Program:

You won't see this on an award letter, but students who have not applied for aid or who did not receive Federal Work Study are still eligible to obtain on-campus employment at Lesley. On-campus student employment opportunities, both graduate and undergraduate, are listed through the Financial Aid Office. Students may also wish to contact the Career Resource Center for a listing of off-campus employment.

Click here for more detailed information on Student Employment and to browse current job postings.

Additional Sources of Aid

Federal TEACH Grants:

The TEACH Grant provides up to $4,000 per year (depending on enrollment status) to eligible students who agree to serve as a full-time, highly-qualified teacher in a high-need subject area in a designated low-income school for 4 years within 8 years of graduating. If obligations are not fulfilled according to the US DOE’s guidelines, the total grant amount will be converted into an Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford loan with back interest. For additional information, please visit our TEACH Grant Page.

Private Scholarships:

Students are also encouraged to seek out private scholarship funding. In most cases private scholarships are added to any existing financial aid, and do not result in a reduction of existing financial aid. An adjustment in need-based aid will be required only if the total need-based aid exceeds the calculated need. Self-help aid (such as loans and Federal Work-Study) will always be reduced before any adjustment to the grant portion of an award. An adjustment in merit-based aid will be required only if total awards exceed the cost of attendance.

In order to help you get started on your scholarship search, the Financial Aid Office has put together a list of some specific private scholarships we believe may be of interest to Lesley University students, as well as a list of scholarship search resources. Click here for more information.

Payment Plans and Private Loans:

A variety of "non-need-based" resources including loans and monthly payment plans are available to students who require additional assistance beyond what is offered in the financial aid award letter. For more information, see our Alternative Financing Page.