Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

A comprehensive list of tuition and fees for the year 2014–2015 is found on the LAU website.

Financial Aid

Driven by its mission, values and vision, LAU is committed to extending financial aid to needy and qualified students. In this respect, and within budget limitation, financial aid aims to provide equal opportunities to all students regardless of their nationality, race, socio-economic background, gender, religion, or ethnicity.

Financial aid is mainly a work-study program granted to full-time undergraduate students based on their financial need. The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office collects data through the application, supporting documents, and a personal interview with the student and his/her parents/guardians. The data is then assessed through a system and the result is used as a guideline in the decision-making process. Final decisions are made by a committee formed by LAU administrators and a faculty representative. Loans, scholarships, and grants are complementary to the program.

I. Need-Based Aid

  1. Work-Aid and Grant Program: All need-based financial aid recipients are required to work a certain number of hours on campus. Besides helping students cover their financial need, the work-study program helps them acquire work skills, develop discipline, and promote a sense of personal responsibility and accomplishment.
  2. Loans: LAU provides loans to undergraduate students, upon request, as part of the total Financial Aid package. Reimbursement of the loan may be spread over nine years, following a three-year interest-free grace period from the date of disbursement or graduation from the university. After the grace period, a service charge equivalent to 50 percent of the market credit interest rate will be charged. Moreover, collection incentives are available for students willing to settle their loans prior to maturity.

II. Scholarships (Merit-Based Aid)

Scholarships are awarded to academically strong students during the first academic year of their enrollment and in subsequent years to continuing students in line with set eligibility criteria.

  1. Entrance Scholarships
    Awarded to newly admitted students during the first academic year of their enrollment ending in September based on high school grades, SAT scores, and Baccalaureate scores. This scholarship is contingent on the student maintaining a CGPA ≥ 3.20 throughout the academic year. Entrance Scholarships range between 10 and 50% of tuition fees.
  2. Honor Scholarships
    Awarded to students after the lapse of the first academic year and upon completion of 24 credits at LAU with a CGPA ≥ 3.50. Honor Scholarships range between 10 and 50% of tuition fees.
  3. Merit Scholarships
    Awarded to a number of outstanding high school students to encourage and promote academic excellence. Merit Scholarships cover 100% of tuition fees. Candidates are nominated by their high schools and are requested to fill out a merit scholarship application. Selection and continuity of the scholarship depend on set criteria.
  4. Athletic Scholarships
    Awarded to exceptional students with recognized promising athletic talents. Candidates should fill out the online application and submit it with the relevant supporting documents to the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.

III. Grants

  1. Program Grants are given to students majoring in selected fields.
  2. Restricted Grants are made available by individual donors and/or organizations. A separate application should be filled out by interested candidates and selection is made according to each donor’s publicized conditions.
  3. Hardship Grants are given according to set criteria to “Very Needy” students.
  4. Minister’s Dependents Grants are given to eligible dependents of ministers from the Presbyterian Synod for Syria and Lebanon.
  5. Dependents’ Grants are given to dependents of full-time faculty and staff.

IV. Student Employment

LAU offers employment to students who have acquired desired work skills as a supplementary form of financial aid catering to the needs of the university in providing additional labor. Interested students should apply online. Placement and hourly rates depend on the student’s skills and academic level.

School of Medicine Students

  • Merit Scholarships and Grants: School of Medicine students are eligible for Merit Scholarships and Grants as described above.
  • Bank Loans: Agreements with certain banks are arranged allowing Lebanese Students enrolled in the School of Medicine to benefit from interest free loans during their tenure at LAU. The interest amount will be borne by the university up until the students’ exit date after which the interest will have to be covered by the students themselves.

Pharm.D. Students

Pharm.D. students are eligible for Scholarships, Grants and Bank Loans as per the above descriptions.

Federal Loans for U.S. Citizens

LAU participates in the U.S. Federal Direct Loan Program, in which the U.S.  Department of Education acts as the lender. Students with U.S. citizenship (or green card holders) who are interested in this type of financial assistance must first submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov using the school code for LAU, G41133. U.S. Federal Direct Loans are offered to both undergraduate and graduate students except for Medical, PharmD, Nursing, students in a “Special” status, and students enrolled in fewer than 6 credit hours. More information about this program is available on the LAU website.

You may also contact the Federal Financial Aid Coordinator, Ms. Linda Strauss, anytime at: linda.strauss@lau.edu.lb.

Applying for Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid, undergraduate students must fill out the Application for Financial Aid, available online, and submit it with the required documents, within set deadlines. An interview will then be scheduled for the applicant and a parent/guardian.

Financial aid is granted for one regular academic year, and may be renewed, upon re-application, if the student’s eligibility is maintained.

For more information check the LAU website or contact the Financial Aid and Scholarships Offices on either campus.

Beirut Campus:

Byblos Campus: