Transfer Students

Lehigh offers many opportunities for transfer students to excel in their chosen field, pursue their goals and develop as a leader.

Lehigh University welcomes applications from transfer students who are currently enrolled at other two- or four-year colleges or universities. Lehigh uses the Common Application and Coalition Application for Transfer Students, and prospective transfer students are strongly encouraged to visit the Application Requirements page to learn more about our deadlines for both admission and financial aid.

Deadlines

Fall Enrollment: April 1
Spring Enrollment: November 1

Transferring Courses from Other Colleges and Universities

Lehigh’s Office of Registration & Academic Services (RAS), in consultation with the faculty of Lehigh University, will make the final determination on which college credits will transfer to the institution.

An evaluation of prior college-level courses is complete only after a student has been extended an offer of admission as a new transfer student. The Office of Admissions works in consultation with the Registration & Academic Services to coordinate our communication with students regarding the results of the evaluation in as timely a manner as possible. It is critical, however, for students to provide as much detailed information (course description, syllabi, textbook list if not on syllabus, etc.) as possible for each course completed in order to allow the faculty to complete an accurate evaluation.

While RAS can make preliminary determinations for credit toward the degree fairly quickly, RAS works with Lehigh academic departments and colleges to review transfer courses for specific course equivalency. The full review process may take several weeks. For more information on how this process works, see Lehigh University Transfer Credit Evaluation: A Q&A for Admitted Transfer Students.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Credit

In addition to a college credit evaluation, Lehigh will also accept Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) credits from admitted transfer students to be used for both academic classroom placement and course credit. AP and IB scores should be submitted to the Registration & Academic Services after the student has been accepted to be considered for transfer credit. The following items are appropriate for class placement and course credit consideration:

  • Most AP Test Scores of 4 and 5 (with the exception of Calculus AB, Chemistry and both English exams, which require a score of 5)
  • Most IB Test Scores of 6 and 7 on higher-level examinations

Basic Facts About Transferring College Credits to Lehigh

  • Only courses with a grade of "C" or better will transfer. A grade of "C-" will not transfer to Lehigh under any circumstances.
  • Pass/Fail credit and non-credit courses are not acceptable for transfer.
  • Transfer courses may not be used to delete a prior grade from your cumulative grade point average at Lehigh University.
  • Transfer grades are not calculated in the Lehigh GPA.
  • The student will receive credit equivalent to the number of credits indicated on the transcript, up to the number of credits for the equivalent course at Lehigh. Registration & Academic Services has the final authority for the amount of credit awarded toward a Lehigh degree.
    • No student may receive more credit at Lehigh than was granted on the other institution's transcript. (For example, if a transfer course is three credits, and the Lehigh equivalent course is four credits, the transfer course may fulfill the relevant Lehigh course requirement, but the student will receive three credit hours of Lehigh credit, rather than four.)
    • Courses taken on the quarter system will have credit granted on a 3:2 ratio. No partial credit will be awarded.
  • No credit will be granted for a course in which the student has already received credit for its equivalent at Lehigh.
  • No credit will be granted for continuing education unit courses, January or intersession courses, correspondence, independent study or any course less than three weeks during intersession, at least five weeks during summer, and/or 15 contact hours per credit without the advance approval of a petition to the Committee on Standing of Students. Courses taken online require additional information for consideration of transfer credit.
  • College courses taken while in high school may require additional documentation.
  • Courses must be taken at an institution that is accredited by one of the six regional associations, or for international institutions, the appropriate international accrediting body
  • Transfer credit rules may be different for courses taken before and after matriculating at Lehigh; matriculated Lehigh students should see the Office of Registration and Academic Services rather than the Admissions Office for information on enrolling in courses at other institutions with the intention to transfer the credit to Lehigh.

For more information about transfer credit requirements, please contact Registration & Academic Services at (610) 758-3194.

Applications from Students holding Bachelor’s Degrees

Lehigh University accepts applications from students who have already earned one or more bachelor's/master's degree(s). If you have already earned a degree and wish to apply, you must submit the same forms as other transfer students, which can be found on the Application Requirements page.

If you already have a degree and the admissions committee offers you admission, a special degree plan will be designed by your advisor with the courses required to obtain a Lehigh degree. Registration & Academic Services will not transfer credit as in the case of other transfer applicants.

Financial Aid

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

Lehigh awards the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship to admitted transfer students who are members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the international honor society of two-year colleges and academic programs. Recipients will be recognized with a $10,000 scholarship per academic year (distributed by semester) above and beyond any need-based financial aid that has been awarded. This scholarship is renewable for up to eight consecutive semesters (or 10 consecutive semesters for students enrolled in a bona-fide five-year program), provided you maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8 and are enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at Lehigh University.

Yellow Ribbon GI Educational Benefits

As a supporting institution of the Yellow Ribbon Program through the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, Lehigh provides financial support to post-9/11 veterans. Participants of the Yellow Ribbon Program must be admitted to Lehigh University through the traditional transfer admissions process before Yellow Ribbon considerations are made.

Need-Based Financial Aid for U.S. Citizen Transfer Students

At Lehigh, we are dedicated to providing need-based financial aid. We believe that we have a responsibility to evaluate a family's ability to contribute in an equitable and consistent manner, recognizing that special circumstances can and do affect a family's ability to pay tuition and other related costs. In order to be considered for need-based financial aid, please follow the steps on the Apply for Financial Aid page to determine the required forms.

Applicants seeking Fall entry must submit the required financial aid documents by April 1, and those seeking Spring entry must submit the required documents by October 1.

Lehigh University is committed to a strong need-based financial aid program. We use a combination of grants, scholarships, work study, and loans to cover 100% of financial need to all admitted students.

Financial Aid for International Transfer Students

Since Lehigh University has limited need-based institutional funding for international transfer students, all non-U.S. citizens who will need financial aid during any of their years enrolled at Lehigh are required to submit the Certification of Finances (PDF) with their application for transfer admission. To be considered for need based financial aid, international transfer students must also submit the CSS Profile through the College Board. Both the Lehigh Certificate of Finances and CSS Profile must be submitted by your application deadline.

Please note that if admitted to Lehigh, there will not be additional funding awarded beyond the initial financial aid offer outside of adjustments made based on increases in cost of attendance. We are unable to provide additional financial aid due to changes in the value of your home country’s currency during your enrollment at Lehigh.

*Note: Tuition, room and board at Lehigh can cost upwards of $87,000 USD per year. If your family cannot support this amount for all intended years of undergraduate enrollment, your application will not be complete without a CSS Profile and Lehigh Certificate of Finances. A bank statement/certificate is not required with your Certification of Finances form and will be collected if you are admitted and decide to attend Lehigh.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply to Lehigh?

Lehigh uses the Common Application and Coalition Application for Transfer Students. Please visit the Application Requirements page to learn more.

What is the minimum GPA required for transfer applicants?

There is no minimum required GPA. However, competitive applicants typically have a GPA of 3.25 or above.

Is standardized testing required for transfer applicants?

Lehigh does not require the SAT, ACT or SAT subject exams for transfer admission.

Lehigh requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Results from an English proficiency assessment must be submitted unless the applicant’s first language is English, or the last two full years (not including current year of study) of formal instruction have been in English. The TOEFL and IELTS are preferred, however Duolingo will be considered if those exams are not available to the student. Scores must be submitted directly from the testing/assessment agency and the most competitive candidates score above a 90 on the TOEFL, 7.0 on the IELTS or 110 on Duolingo. SAT, SAT Subject Test, and ACT results cannot be used to meet the English proficiency requirement.

Does Lehigh offer Yellow Ribbon GI educational benefits?

Yes. As a supporting institution of the Yellow Ribbon Program through the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, Lehigh does provide financial support to Post-9/11 veterans. However, participants of the Yellow Ribbon Program must be admitted to Lehigh University through the traditional transfer admissions process before Yellow Ribbon considerations are made.

Are interviews available for transfers?

No. Lehigh does not offer transfer applicant interviews. Therefore, you should use the application as the appropriate platform to discuss and/or explain anything that you feel is of particular importance.

I have attended more than one college. Can I just submit a transcript from the school I am currently attending?

No. You must submit college transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended.

Will I know how many of my credits will transfer before I have to pay my deposit?

Yes. If admitted, you will receive a Transfer Credit Evaluation from Registration & Academic Services informing you of how many credits you have (tentatively) been awarded. Final credit approval will be granted when all final official transcripts from previous institutions have been received by Registration & Academic Services.

Where can I submit documents that are not submitted through an application portal?

Your Conduct Report Form can be sent to the Enrollment Services Center, 218 West Packer Ave, Bethlehem, PA 18015. Your College/University Transcript and Final High School Transcript must be submitted by a school official to be considered official. Parchment users can submit these to inemesc@lehigh.edu for the Enrollment Services Center, the office that processes admissions and financial aid materials. Course descriptions can be submitted to the LU FileSender (strongly preferred for faster processing) or mailed to Enrollment Services Center, 218 West Packer Ave, Bethlehem, PA 18015.

Are there merit scholarships available for transfers?

Academic or talent-based institutional scholarships for transfer students are limited, but all candidates for admission are considered.

Non-Degree-Seeking Students

To be eligible for a degree from Lehigh, you must be enrolled as a full-time student. However, if you are not seeking a degree, you can take one or more courses through the General College Division (GCD). You may enroll in any course up to and including 300-level courses as long as prerequisites have been satisfied. Courses taken through GCD may not count toward a graduate degree at Lehigh. Fees for attendance in the General College Division are assessed on the current year "cost per credit hour" schedule.

For admission to the General College Division, you must submit a GCD application, high school and college transcripts, and written approval from the professor teaching each course you wish to take. To audit a course through GCD, you must obtain permission from the Committee on Standing of Students.

Deadlines for GCD applications are July 1 for the Fall semester and December 1 for the Spring semester. Students enrolled in courses through the GCD pay tuition according to the number of credit hours.

General College Division Application (PDF)
Professor Authorization form (PDF)
Cost Per Credit Hour

Contact Information

If you have questions about Lehigh's transfer admissions process, please contact:

Office of Admissions
Lehigh University
27 Memorial Drive West
Bethlehem, PA 18015-3094
(610) 758-3100
transfers@lehigh.edu