President's Scholars Program Information

President's Scholars Program Information

Statement of Purpose: The President's Scholar Program was implemented in 1997 by Former Lehigh University President Peter Likins to reward and acknowledge the excellence obtained by Lehigh University undergraduate degree recipients. Since its inception more than 1,000 students have taken advantage of some or all the benefits of the program. The recipients have worked towards second baccalaureate degrees, master’s degrees, begun doctoral studies or just continued study in fields of interest. The program provides for one full year of on campus study tuition free.

Who can be a President's Scholar?

For students entering Lehigh University as degree seeking students after August 1st, 2002 or receiving their degree on or after University Day 2007:

(Students who entered after August 1, 2007, should click here to review applicable terms)

A student may be declared a President's Scholar if, upon completion of 90 Lehigh credit hours, he or she has a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.75 or higher at the end of any full-time fall or spring semester or full-time summer study (minimum 12 credit hours).

Students who spend part of their career at another institution, or are transfer admits to degree programs and have fewer than ninety hours of in residency courses, must have sixty credit hours (in regularly graded Lehigh courses) and four full-time regular semesters in residence, to qualify for a President's scholarship by earning at least sixty credit hours of regularly graded (not pass/fail, advanced placement or study abroad) courses that meet the residency requirement. The President's Scholar Program admission grade point average is determined at the time of graduation by the lower of the two averages computed as follows: (1) the average of grades at Lehigh; (2) the average of all grades received at Lehigh and grades for courses taken elsewhere for a regular grade and that are appropriate to be considered for transfer to Lehigh, or in provisionally approved study abroad programs.

Eligibility for graduation honors has no bearing on eligibility towards a President’s Scholar Award

How a student is declared a President's Scholar?

A student who wishes to be declared a President's scholar must submit the brief President’s Scholar Application to the Registrar. After the application has been received and the student has satisfied the President's Scholars' requirements, the student will be formally declared a President's Scholar, effective the term (including summer session) immediately following the awarding of the baccalaureate degree. The student remains a President's Scholar for one calendar year only. See note below for more details.

When must a student apply?

A student may apply after completing the minimum standards for eligibility right up to the registration for the first term of enrollment as a President’s Scholar, but no later than the end of registration for the first term the benefits are to be applied.  However, the student at the time of the application must meet the requirements. No student may ask that the application be considered from a prior term once their grades have been computed for a subsequent term.

What academic programs are available to President's Scholars?

A President's Scholar can take Lehigh courses as a continuing undergraduate student, as an associate graduate student, or as a degree-seeking regular graduate student.

A continuing undergraduate student may work towards a second baccalaureate degree or pursue further study in an area of interest (see note about major and minor degree limitations).

An associate graduate student is a non-degree seeking graduate student who can register for 400-level courses with the permission of the department or program. To obtain associate graduate student status, a President's Scholar or potential President's Scholar must apply to the college. The application process for associate graduate student status is the same as for regular admission to a graduate program except that letters of recommendation and a personal statement or essay are not required.

A regular graduate student is one who has been formally admitted to a degree, or certificate graduate program. To be eligible for a graduate degree, a President's Scholar or potential President's Scholar must apply to the Graduate School and be admitted as a regular graduate student. Admission decisions are made by the respective departments or programs. A President's Scholar will be admitted to the graduate studies during his or her senior year, pending completion of the baccalaureate degree. Admission will be final when all baccalaureate degree requirements have been met.

Is it possible for a Lehigh student to complete a master's degree during the calendar year in which he or she is declared a President's Scholar?

A number of Lehigh graduate programs can be completed by a President's Scholar within twelve months of graduation and therefore with no tuition cost, if the student has begun anticipating such an opportunity in the sophomore or junior year and has directed his or her effort accordingly. Early identification of the graduate program and proper planning and advising are essential to assure successful completion of the graduate program within one calendar year following awarding of the baccalaureate degree.

Can a President's Scholar or potential President's Scholar begin taking graduate courses in his or her junior/senior year?

Any Lehigh degree seeking undergraduate student who has achieved junior standing and wishes to enroll in graduate level courses while pursuing an undergraduate degree must petition the Graduate School prior to enrolling in any 400-level courses. Any graduate-level courses taken as an undergraduate may not be used to satisfy master's degree requirements unless the course has been approved by the undergraduate major program coordinator and is not being used to satisfy any major, minor, distribution, residency or credit hour requirements of the baccalaureate degree. Please see the University catalog for the guidelines for an undergraduate student taking graduate level courses.

How does a President's Scholar or potential President's Scholar apply to Graduate School?

A President's Scholar or potential President's Scholar should apply to the Graduate School at the beginning of the senior year. Applications should be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office along with any documents required by the department or program to which the student seeks admission, i.e., letters of recommendation, personal statement or essay, etc. An application fee is also required.

Applications are processed and forwarded to the department or program for a decision. Every applicant must meet all requirements for regular admission to the graduate program to which he or she is applying, including prerequisites, standardized test scores, i.e., GRE, MAT, GMAT, etc. Admission will be granted on a conditional basis and will become final upon completion of the baccalaureate degree requirements.

Each applicant will be notified of the admissions decision by the applicant’s college. Upon acceptance, a President's Scholar will follow the regular registration process established by the department or program.

A Master's Degree Program must be filed before the end of the first semester of graduate studies. Master's degrees are awarded upon completion of all master's degree requirements, consisting of a minimum of 30 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree, with courses determined by the department or program.

Are there any special circumstances for dual degree students to be eligible for a President’s Scholar Award before receiving their first degree?

Students who are enrolled in a Standing of Students Committee approved dual degree program or in the Arts Engineering Curriculum dual degree program may be eligible during their fifth year of study under special guidelines without receiving their first degree. These students must apply during their junior year to begin as President’s Scholars for their fifth year at Lehigh. If at the end of eight semesters students have a minimum of 121 credit hours, satisfy all residency and distribution requirements for their primary degree, submit a plan that would complete all requirements for both degrees in ten semesters, and satisfy all the President’s Scholar academic requirements noted above, students may be eligible.

Can any student add additional majors and minors to a prior degree from Lehigh?

A Lehigh University bachelor’s degree is awarded as a package and is publicly listed with major(s), minor(s), grade point average, college honors, department honors and degree honors. After the degree has been awarded those conditions may not be changed. Majors, minors, degree grade point average, and honors may not be changed or added to after the degree is awarded. If a student in post baccalaureate study completes the requirements for an additional major (not for a minor), that will be noted as a comment on the transcript for the term the work is complete, but not as part of the degree. Minors, concentrations or honors will not be noted. Any further questions should be directed to the Registrar.

What is the President’s Scholar award?

The President’s Scholar Award covers all tuition costs for on campus courses taken for the duration of the calendar year in which the student is eligible. It does not cover tuition for off campus programs, LVAIC cross registration, study abroad, Washington or Urban semester programs, or any course section or college related fees.

When does the scholarship begin?

The benefits begin at the start of the term immediately following the completion of all degree requirements (academic and procedural), or in the case of approved dual degree program students at the end of their eighth full time semester at Lehigh. The program covers tuition for the fall and spring terms and the first summer term immediately following the awarding of the degree.

University Day Graduates: Students completing their requirements after the start of the spring semester and before the Wednesday preceding University Day and are receiving their undergraduate degrees will have their benefits begin with the first summer session in that year.

January Graduates: Students completing their requirements after the start of the Fall semester and prior to the Wednesday preceding January commencement will have their benefits begin with the Spring semester immediately following the completion of their degree requirements (academic and procedural).

Summer Completions: Students who complete their degree requirements after the completion of the spring semester and the start of the fall semester and who are eligible to receive their degrees in September begin their eligibility with the beginning of the fall semester.

Dual Degree Candidates: Students may petition to have the program begin at the end of their eighth semester of full time instruction and to include the two terms and summer terms following the granting of their petition. This process requires both a petition to the Committee on the Standing of Students and the President’s Scholar Application be completed concurrently.

Is there a way to defer the Scholarship for one year, or any period of time?

NO. The eligibility begins at the time of graduation and can not be extended, even if a student has not applied to begin the program your eligibility period begins at the time of graduation.

How do courses taken while a President's Scholar affect my Grade Point Average?

While attending under this program, if the student continues in undergraduate studies the GPA continues to be calculated using all undergraduate career courses. However, any courses taken after graduation will not change the student’s GPA, department or graduation honors at the time of commencement. If a student participating in the President’s Scholar program begins their career as a graduate student the grade point average will no longer be calculated, as is the case with all graduate students.

Does the scholarship cover tuition for any Lehigh Abroad Programs?

NO, the program only will provide for tuition for on campus courses and programs.

Are there any limitations to the number of credits I can roster in a given term or session?

All roster limitations that affect regular undergraduate and graduate students are in place. All exceptions to go above these limits must be petitioned to the appropriate Faculty Committee.

Where should I direct my questions about the President's Scholar program?

To the Office of the Registrar, Bruce Correll (610) 758-3191, or via email at bsc1@lehigh.edu