Financial aid for Lesley University's
Graduate Students: Off Campus Cohorts

The information on this page applies only to Master's, C.A.G.S, and Ph.D. students participating in our off campus cohort programs, including the Israel Extension Campus. If you will be taking classes online, in Cambridge or participating in a low residency program, Learning Communities, Collaborative Schools, Citizen Schools, or the Audubon Expedition Institute, please click here for information specific to your program.

How Do I Apply?

The 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

What Types of Aid Could I Get?

Below are the basic types of financial aid that you may be eligible to receive at Lesley University.

Federal Stafford Loans (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. For both loan programs, the current interest rate for new borrowers is fixed at 6.8%. Repayment begins six months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time.

Based on federal regulations, Stafford loan funding must be disbursed equally between all semesters. If the number of credits of your expected enrollment is different for different semesters, the award you see on your award letter will be calculated to cover your most expensive semester, taking into account a 0.5% net fee. If you decline a portion of this award you may have a balance on your student account. Graduate and professional degree candidates may qualify for up to $20,500 per academic year.If you would like to request an increase in your Stafford loan funding after you have been awarded, log into your LOIS account and follow the instructions to revise your loan amount. Detailed instructions for this process can be found here.

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Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans

The Grad PLUS Loan is a federally guaranteed loan available to graduate students. Eligibility is based on credit worthiness. The interest rate on the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is currently fixed at 7.9%. Graduate students may borrow up to the cost of education minus the $20,500 in Stafford loans and other aid. Repayment begins 60 days after the funds are fully disbursed, and the repayment term is up to 10 years.  Students may defer repayment while they are in school, as long as enrollment is at least half-time per semester. There is no six-month grace period as there is with the Stafford Loan program. Since the interest on the PLUS loan is not subsidized, it continues to accrue while deferred and is capitalized when the loan enters repayment.

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 University graduate students wishing to borrow PLUS loans will be borrowing directly through the U.S. Department of Education.

Lesley University does not include Grad PLUS loan eligibility on a student's award letter, but if you would like to apply for a PLUS loan, please submit the documents below:

• 2009 - 2010 Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Application [pdf] (or the 2008-2009 version [pdf], if the application is for Spring or Summer 2009 educational expenses), which should be submitted by mail or fax to the Lesley University Financial Aid Office.
• Master Promissory Note (MPN), which can be completed online by following this link and selecting "Complete New MPN for Student Loans."
• Graduate PLUS Entrance Counseling, which can be completed online by following this link.

There may be other types of educational loans that have a lower interest rate than the Federal Graduate PLUS loan, so be sure to research all possibilities before making your decision. Our Alternative Financing Page is a good place to start your research.

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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.

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.

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