Tuition & Fees

Undergraduate tuition varies per academic program. It is a flat fee per semester, with the following exceptions:

• Students taking fewer than 12 credits are charged per credit.
• Students taking more than 18 credits are charged the semester fee plus the per-credit fee for all credits beyond 18.
• Summer courses are charged per credit.
• Nutrition students are charged per credit.

Please see the full lists of undergraduate tuition and other fees for 2016–2017.

Undergraduate Financial Aid

Driven by its mission, values and vision, LAU is committed to extending support to qualified students in need of financial aid. In this respect, and within budget capabilities, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships aims to provide equal opportunity to all students regardless of their nationality, race, socioeconomic background, gender, religion, or ethnicity.

Financial aid is mainly a work-study program where loans, scholarships, and grants are complementary to this program; financial aid is granted to full-time undergraduate students based on their financial need through the student Financial Aid application form, supporting documents, and a personal interview with parents/guardians. The office collects data for assessment through a system and results are used as guidelines in the decision-making process. Final decisions are made by a committee formed by LAU administrators and a faculty representative.

Need-based Aid

Work-Aid and Grants. 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 students acquire work skills, develop discipline, and promote a sense of personal responsibility and accomplishment. Work-aid may be coupled with a grant to cover a certain percentage of the tuition fees.

Loans. LAU provides loans, as part of the financial aid package, to undergraduate students upon request. 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.  Collection incentives are available for students willing to settle their loans prior to maturity.

Merit-based Aid

Scholarships, based on merit, are awarded to academically competent students during the first academic year of their enrollment and in subsequent years to continuing students in line with set eligibility criteria. Four such types of scholarships exist:

Entrance scholarships are awarded to newly admitted students during the first academic year of their enrollment based on high school grades, SAT scores, and Baccalaureate scores. This scholarship is contingent on a CGPA ≥ 3.50 sustained by the students throughout the academic year. Entrance Scholarships range between 10 and 50% of tuition fees.

Honor scholarships are 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.

Merit scholarships are awarded to a number of outstanding high school candidates, nominated by their high schools, to encourage and promote academic excellence.  Candidates are requested to submit a Merit Scholarship application for full review and selection and the continuity of the scholarship depends on set criteria. Merit Scholarships cover 100% of tuition fees.

Athletic scholarships are awarded to exceptional students with recognized promising athletic talents. An online Athletic Scholarship Application Form and relevant supporting documents must be submitted to the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.

Other Forms of Aid

Program grants are given to students majoring in selected fields.

Restricted grants are made available by individual donors and/or organizations. A distinct application should be submitted by candidates and selection is made based on the donor’s publicized criteria.

Hardship grants are given to students based on set criteria for pressing financial need.

Talent awards are granted to new students who have previously participated in and won a competition that took place at LAU.

Student Employment

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

Financial Aid for Medical and Pharmacy Students

Merit scholarships are awarded to the top 10% of the students in each class.

Grants are percentage discount available to students demonstrating financial need.

Bank loans through agreements with certain banks are arranged allowing Lebanese students to benefit from interest free-loans during their tenure at LAU. The interest amount is borne by LAU up until the students’ exit date, after which the interest is covered by the students themselves.

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. This loan program is available to undergraduate and graduate students with U.S. citizenship, or green card holders, excluding medical, pharmacy and nursing students in a “Special” status, and students enrolled in fewer than 6 credit hours. Eligible students interested in this type of financial assistance must first submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online using the school code for LAU, G41133.

For more information, visit Application & Procedures. You may also contact the Federal Financial Aid Coordinator, Ms. Linda Strauss, at linda.strauss@lau.edu.lb.

Applying for Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid, students must submit the Application for Financial Aid and the required documents within set deadlines. An interview is then scheduled with the applicant and a parent/guardian. Financial aid is granted for one academic year, and may be renewed, upon re-application, if the student’s eligibility is maintained.

For more information, visit Undergraduate Assistance,  or contact the Financial Aid and Scholarships Offices on either campus:

Beirut Campus

Tel: +961 1 786 456 / 786 464
+961 3 791 314 Ext. 1416
Fax: +961 1 786456 Ext. 1662
Email: finaid.beirut@lau.edu.lb

Byblos Campus

Tel: +961 9 547254 / 547262
+961 3 791 314 Ext. 2153
Fax: +961 1 791630 Ext. 2157
Email:  finaid.byblos@lau.edu.lb