The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office collects data from the application filled out by the student and parent, as well as supporting documents and a personal interview with the applicant and his/her parent(s) or guardian. The data is then assessed, and the result is used as a guideline in the decision-making process. Final decisions are made by a committee of LAU administrators and a faculty representative.

Loans or grants are complementary to the work-study program.

Work-study

The work-study program gives you the opportunity to gain work experience, discipline, and a sense of personal responsibility and accomplishment. Students are assigned to work in offices/divisions across the university for a certain number of hours per term, at the rate of $9.95 per hour.

Eligibility

Term Credit Load:

• A minimum course load of 12 billed credits per term unless the student is graduating.
• A minimum course load of 3 billed credits in any one of the two summer terms and work-study hours are prorated over 12.

Eligibility Credits:

• New students receiving Financial Aid and/or Scholarships may benefit up to the total number of credits required in their major for graduation.
• In case of non-eligibility in a given term, the number of credits passed during that term will be deducted from the balance of the number of credits the student is entitled to.
• LAU students changing majors/degrees or holding a bachelor degree and shifting to a major in a professional school may benefit from Financial Aid for the remaining number of credits required for graduation in the new major/degree provided that the total number of Financial Aid credits does not exceed the new major’s total credits.
• Students may benefit from additional credit coverage depending on their major as follows:
  • 6 credits for BA/BS and pre-pharmacy students and another 6 for those continuing BPharm
  • 9 credits for BE and Interior Architecture students
  • 12 credits for BArch students
  • Additional credits may be decided upon on a case by case basis, for those changing major or holding a bachelor degree and shifting to a major in a professional school.
• Students working towards a Teaching Diploma may benefit from Financial Aid for an additional 21 credits and those seeking a minor may 18 additional credits.

Disqualification

• If CGPA drops below 2.0.
• Immediately, if a student receives two warnings.
• Students may also disqualify for Financial Aid and/or Scholarships in subsequent terms if they fail to work satisfactorily and/or to complete the scheduled hours with no valid reason.

Grants

A certain percentage of a student’s tuition may be covered by a grant depending on financial need and academic status.

• Need-based Grants: A certain percentage of a student’s tuition may be covered by a grant depending on financial need and academic status. If a student demonstrates good academic performance and requests a loan, his/her grant is extended as part of the need-based aid in lieu of some or all of that loan amount.
• School Programs Grants: These are awarded to students majoring in selected fields. These majors are announced at the beginning of the academic year.
• Restricted Grants: These grants are made available by individual donors and/or organizations. A separate application should be filled out by interested candidates. Selection is made according to each donor’s publicized criteria.
• Hardship Grants: These are awarded to students in severe financial need, which is defined by specific criteria.
• Donors’ Grants: These are awarded to students who meet external donors’ conditions.
• Minister’s Dependents Grants: These are available only to eligible dependents of ministers from the Presbyterian Synod for Syria and Lebanon.
• Dependents’ Grants: These are available only to dependents of full-time faculty and staff.

Loans

Loans can be taken out by undergraduate students from the university as part of the total financial aid package. Repayment of the loan is spread over a twelve year period. The first three years after a student graduates (or withdraws from the university) are seen as an interest-free grace period. After the grace period ends, a service charge equivalent to 50 percent of the market credit interest rate will be charged. Collection incentives are available for students able and willing to settle their loans prior to maturity.

Federal Loans for U.S. citizens: If you are a U.S. citizenship or hold a green card, you might be entitled to a U.S. Direct Loan to help you pay for your education at LAU.

• How to apply? Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. We suggest that you complete the FAFSA as soon as possible but it should be no later than September. This gives us time to correct any errors before the start of classes.
• LAU code for FAFSA: G41133
• How to proceed? After you complete the FAFSA you need to email the Federal Financial Aid Coordinator, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., your student ID number and indicate that you have completed the FAFSA for the 2011-2012 academic year. She will then work with you to complete the process.
• More information: Brochures about this program are available at the Financial Aid & Scholarships offices.

N.B. As a U.S. citizen or green card holder,you must complete a W-9S form by June 17th and submit it to the Registrar’s Office on your campus so that we issue you (Form 1098-T) which might allow you or your parent/guardian take the tuition and fees deduction or claim an educational credit to reduce federal income tax.