Financial Aid for Lesley University's
graduate students: on campus, online, & low residency

The information on this page applies to Master's, C.A.G.S., and Ph.D. students taking classes online or at Lesley University's Cambridge campus, including Low Residency MFA and Ph.D. programs, Learning Communities, Collaborative Schools, Citizen Schools and the Audubon Expedition Institute. For information specific to off campus cohort programs, please click here.

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 Kinds of Awards Could I Get?

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

• Merit Scholarships

• Federal Student Loans

• Student Work

• Additional Sources of Aid

Federal Student Loans

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%. Graduate and professional degree candidates may qualify for up to $20,500 per academic year. Repayment begins six months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time.

Federal 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.

[ back to top ]

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 generally do not do not exceed $1800 per year.

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

Lesley Works Program:

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. All on-campus student employment opportunities, both graduate and undergraduate, are listed through the Financial Aid Office. Students may obtain listings of available jobs at 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.

Graduate Assistantship Program:

The Graduate Assistantship Program offers graduate students in on-campus programs the opportunity to assist faculty and staff in academic activities. Applications are available through the Office of the Provost at (617) 349-8518.

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.