Who's Eligible for StepUp?     International students with intermediate level or higher English proficiency who will be at least 17 years old by their program start date are eligible to apply to the StepUp program.     Although many StepUp students expect to enter Lehigh University after the conclusion of their StepUp program, you do NOT have to be a Lehigh student to join StepUp. A large number of our students over the years have not had any affiliation with Lehigh University. To be successful in the StepUp program, however, all StepUp applicants must be willing to dedicate their fullest effort and attention to meeting the rigorous academic expectations of the StepUp program.     All entering StepUp students will take an English proficiency exam during StepUp Orientation to confirm that they have at least an intermediate level of English proficiency. English proficiency exam results are also used to assist with placing students in the appropriate section of StepUp classes.   What does "intermediate English proficiency" mean?     Students with "intermediate English proficiency" should be able to meet or exceed the following skill descriptions: Be able to write a well structured essay that is comprehensible and that demonstrates a working knowledge of English grammar and punctuation. Be able to understand and to speak English well enough to have a spontaneous academic or social conversation with an instructor or other native speaker who is used to interacting with international students. Be able to read and comprehend most written text that is of medium difficulty, similar to what might be found in a general interest American newspaper or magazine.     Students who do not meet the required minimum level of intermediate English proficiency in writing, speaking, or reading by the start of their StepUp program will incur additional tuition fees for any mandatory tutoring, as determined by the StepUp Program Director. Students who elect to discontinue their participation in StepUp during the first five days of the program may defer their entrance into StepUp for up to one year with a written deferral request. All deposits and/or tuition fees previously paid to StepUp will be applied to the new semester's tuition invoice minus a $100 deferral fee. Students who do not begin their StepUp program within the one-year deferral period will forfeit any and all tuition and fees previously paid. StepUp tuition is non-refundable.     If you have further questions, especially regarding what is considered "intermediate English proficiency", please contact Mr. Tim Cauller, StepUp Program Director, by email at tcauller@lehigh.edu or by phone at (610) 758-6099.