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Thanks to the generous contributions of alumni, parents and friends, the Office of International Affairs is able to provide financial assistance to students who are experiencing unexpected expenses.

The International Student Assistance Fund provides grants in amounts up to $1,500 to students who demonstrate financial need due to sudden and unforeseen circumstances. Students are able to use the grants to cover their educational, living or health-related expenses. Apply for a grant >

Eligible students must be enrolled full-time as an undergraduate or graduate student at Lehigh and studying at Lehigh on an F-1 or J-1 visa.  Requests will be considered when submitted, until the fund is depleted.

Students who apply to the International Student Assistance Fund may not also apply to the Emergency Student Fund or the Graduate Student Emergency Grant. Due to the limited nature of the fund, students may only receive up to $1,500 in assistance grants per academic year.  

Due to the volume of requests and limited funds, the committee will not approve grants for use with purchasing computers, including laptops, or for assisting with tuition payment. Additionally, requests for airline tickets for travel home during university breaks will not be approved.  Funding requests should provide detailed information about the request, including how your circumstances have changed or how the unforeseen expense(s) have impacted your financial situation. Funding requests should specifically explain their use; requests for general needs due to inflation or other expenses typical to the student experience, including personal international travel, are not likely to be approved.  

Note: Part of the International Student Assistance Fund, the Indian Student Opportunity Fund gives preference to students who are residents of India and secondly another international country in an effort to increase opportunities for an underrepresented group and to support a diverse student body.

Award decisions are made by Office of International Affairs, Office of Financial Aid, and Office of Graduate Life. If you have questions, please contact us at invpia@lehigh.edu.