Scholarships

Merit Scholarships

The Lesley College merit scholarships 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, however, are the ways in which these students have already influenced the lives of others through their various involvement both in school and in the community. Merit scholarships range from $5,000 to full tuition. Details about applying for specific merit scholarship opportunities are available from the Lesley College Office of Admissions.

To be eligible for one of Lesley College's academic scholarships, students must submit an application for admission and all other required credentials to the Lesley College Office of Admissions. Students will automatically be considered for these scholarships during the application review process and notified of their selection as merit scholars at the same time they are notified of their admission decision.

A student must satisfy the following conditions in order to have his or her merit scholarship renewed each academic year:

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress by successfully completing a minimum of 12 credits each semester while maintaining a 3.0 GPA.
• Maintain full-time status. A student who is less than full-time or who takes a leave of absence for more than one semester will lose the ability to have their merit scholarship renewed.

Freshman Scholarships

The Presidential Scholarship

Each year, one freshman is selected as a Presidential Scholar. This award reflects the institution's commitment to the development of young men and women as leaders, activists, and agents of social justice and civic engagement. It is awarded to a student who has demonstrated not only exceptional academic strength, but extraordinary leadership in his/her school and community.

The Presidential Scholarship covers the cost of full tuition, mandatory fees (exclusive of room and board and health services fee), and a book stipend of $700. The scholarship will be granted annually for four years provided that the recipient maintains a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

In order to be considered for the Margaret A. McKenna Presidential Scholarship, please submit the following information prior to March 1:

• Application for admission and all required credentials
• Two-page essay describing your leadership involvement and service to the community along with the successes and challenges you've experienced

The Scholarship Committee will identify six finalists and invite these students to interview on campus. The Presidential Scholar will be selected from this group of finalists. Previous recipients have presented an outstanding academic record with a GPA of at least 3.5, class standing in the top 10%, and SAT I scores of 1380 (based on the 1600 point scale) or higher.

Note: Finalists not selected as the Presidential Scholar will receive a $1,000 leadership scholarship in addition to any other merit scholarship money for which they may be eligible.

Cambridge Rindge & Latin Merit Scholarship

Up to two full four-year tuition scholarships will be awarded to graduates of the Cambridge Rindge & Latin School beginning in the Fall of 2008. Recipients may enroll in either Lesley College or the Art Institute of Boston (AIB).

The University requests that the headmaster nominate five students for consideration. Nominations should be in the form of a letter of recommendation. Minimum academic criteria include a 3.3 GPA while taking a college preparatory curriculum, a 1200 or better SAT (based on 1600 point scale) or a 27 or better ACT Composite score.

Nominations and all admissions application materials should be received no later than January 15. Nominations will be reviewed by a scholarship committee comprised of representatives from the AIB faculty, Lesley College faculty, AIB admissions office, Lesley College admissions office, and the Division of Student Life and Academic Development. The committee will select up to two recipients and one alternate. Notifications will be sent by March 1.

Students will need to maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA to remain eligible for the scholarship.

Additional Freshman Merit Scholarships

Based upon their successful performance in a rigorous college prep, honors, advanced placement, or International Baccalaureate curriculum, high class standing, strong standardized test results, demonstrated leadership ability and commitment to civic engagement and activism, qualified freshman applicants may be considered for the following merit scholarships:

The Dean's Scholarship

A $14,000 scholarship awarded annually for four years provided a student maintains full-time status and a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Prior recipients have met the leadership criteria mentioned above and fit at least one of the following academic guidelines: SAT I score of 1300 (based on a 1600 point scale) or a GPA of 3.5 or better and SAT I score of 1100-1290 (based on a 1600 point scale.)

The Edith Lesley Scholarship

A $12,000 scholarship awarded annually for four years provided the student maintains full-time status and remains in good academic standing. Prior recipients have met the leadership qualifications mentioned above and presented a GPA of 3.0-3.5 with an SAT I score that ranges from 1100-1200 (based on a 1600 point scale.)

In order to be considered for either the Dean's Scholarship or the Edith Lesley Scholarship, please submit the following information prior to February 15:

• Application for admission and all required credentials
• A "Teacher Recommendation" that speaks to your strengths as a scholar and a "Personal Recommendation" that speaks to your leadership ability, your role as an activist, and your contributions in the community.

Urban Scholarship

In recognition of our commitment to urban education and in support of the communities in which our campuses are housed, any student graduating from a Cambridge, Somerville, Chelsea, or Boston public high school, who has been offered admission and enrolls as a freshman at Lesley College, will be granted an $8,000 scholarship. This scholarship will be granted annually for four years provided the student maintains satisfactory academic progress.

*Any student receiving the Presidential, Dean's, or Edith Lesley Scholarship, who is also an Urban Scholar, will have the Urban Scholarship included as a portion of the other scholarship.

**Part-time students and students with a previous bachelor's degree are not eligible for consideration. Non-need based awards may not be combined.

Transfer Scholarships

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

Each year, two transfer applicants interested in full-time study are awarded a $6,000 Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship. Recipients are selected from a pool of students who are members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher, and who will have an A.A., A.S., or A.A.S. degree upon immediate entry into Lesley. This award is renewable for a second year (fall & spring terms only) provided the student maintains a full-time status and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Transfer Scholars

Select transfer applicants interested in full-time study are awarded a $5,000 Transfer Scholarship based upon the strength of their academic performance at the college level. Recipients are selected from a pool of students who have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average or higher and who carry at least 15 credits per semester in college. This award will be granted in subsequent years (fall & spring terms only) provided the student maintains full-time status and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The number of years for which the scholarship can be renewed depends on the time needed to complete a Lesley College undergraduate degree, and is determined by the number of credits transferred.

*Part-time students and students with a previous bachelor's degree are not eligible for consideration. Non-need based awards may not be combined.

Other scholarship opportunities

The Lesley Dividend... One Free Semester of Graduate Study

Most of our students find that a master's degree is a necessary credential given the fields they enter. For those who choose to immediately continue their studies at Lesley, the Lesley Dividend provides tremendous assistance. Qualified Lesley College students can receive up to 12 free credits of graduate study in one of Lesley's on-campus master's programs. To qualify, you must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.6 upon completion of your undergraduate studies.