Program Overview
The High School Scholars program provides the opportunity for high school seniors in public schools in Northampton and Lehigh counties* to apply for the opportunity to take one course, up to 4 credit hours, at Lehigh without any tuition responsibility. Students are still responsible for any corresponding costs to participation (books, parking, course fees, etc.) Students are able to enroll in a second course, but are responsible for the full tuition cost of that course.
*The geographic boundary for eligible schools was enacted in Fall 2017. Schools in Pennsylvania that had pre-existing relationships with the program have been maintained and students enrolled in those specific high schools remain eligible to apply.
Application Cycle
Application Open
The High School Scholars program application will be made available on the first Monday in March.
For the 2025 - 2026 program year, the application will be available on Monday, March 3, 2025.
Application Due Date
The High School Scholars program application will be due on the first Monday in April.
For the 2025 - 2026 program year, the application will be due on Monday, April 7, 2025.
Late applications are not accepted. Candidates are responsible for ensuring all application components are submitted by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed for program acceptance.
Decision Notifications
The High School Scholars program decision notifications will be sent on the first Monday in May.
For the 2025 - 2026 program year, decision notifications will be sent on Monday, May 5, 2025.
Application Information
For a program application to be complete, the following items must be completed and received:
- Required demographic information
- Two (2) letters of recommendation
- Official high school transcript
- High school resume
- Personal essay requirement
- Two (2) supplemental essay requirements
Copies of standardized test scores may be included should an applicant wish to do so. If submitting score, candidates should include a copied image of any scores being submitted. A formal score report should not be requested from CollegeBoard as it will route to our Undergraduate Admissions office.
Applicants are highly encouraged to assemble and submit as much of their application package directly, where possible. There will be a section on the application where applicants to upload materials. Applicants should follow their high school's guidelines around submission of transcripts, letters of recommendation, and standardized test scores.
Any application materials not being submitted by the candidate or via the application form must be emailed to inhss@lehigh.edu.
Materials not received via the application form upload or to inhss@lehigh.edu will not be forwarded on and will not be considered as part of a candidate's application. All applicants will receive email confirmation of application components being received. Late applications are not accepted. Candidates are responsible for ensuring all application components are submitted by the April deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed for program acceptance.
Up to three (3) students per high school will be accepted to participate in each semester cohort for the fall and spring of a program year. If fewer than three (3) students apply from a high school, they are not automatically guaranteed acceptance. All applicants would still be evaluated using the program entry standards.
Students may be placed on a waitlist and admitted as space becomes available. Students applying for the fall semester may receive a deferred acceptance, meaning they have been accepted for the spring semester and would be placed on the waitlist for fall.
There is no priority status given to applicants whose parent/guardian is employed at Lehigh University.
Eligible School Districts
Allentown School District
Bethlehem Area School District
Catasauqua School District
East Penn School District
Northern Lehigh School District
Northwestern Lehigh School District
Parkland School District
Salisbury School District
Southern Lehigh School District
Whitehall-Coplay School District
Bangor Area School District
Bethlehem Area School District
Catasauqua Area School District
Easton Area School District
Nazareth Area School District
Northampton Area School District
Northern Lehigh School District
Pen Argyl Area School District
Saucon Valley School District
Wilson Area School District
Bethlehem Catholic High School
Lehigh Valley Academy
Moravian Academy
Palisades High School
Quakertown Community High School
Upper Perkiomen High School