Student Affairs Basic Needs Support Grants

Current Basic Needs Support Grants:


SPRING 2024 GRANTS NOW OPEN

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY - THIS PAGE INCLUDES NEW AND UPDATED INFORMATION.


Currently there are four grant programs available to Lehman College students facing financial challenges. Two of the grants focus on emergencies. None of these grants can pay tuition, fees, mortgages, car loans, or insurance, or credit card bills.

Please note that these are not cash grants; students do not receive funds directly and must provide documentation of need. Students cannot receive funding that exceeds their unmet need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.

Name Grant Details How to Apply

Emergency Grants  (two programs)

  • Carroll and Milton Petrie Student Emergency Grant

  • Student Affairs Emergency Grant 

Focused on unexpected, unforeseen, or unavoidable emergency expenses related but not limited to loss of property or income; illness or death in the immediate family; being a victim of an accident or crime; loss of childcare 

Minimum GPA of 2.0 

Petrie – up to $1250 per semester; can also apply for one 30-day Unlimited MetroCard each semester 

Student Affairs  – up to $950 per semester 

Petrie – online application provided through Petrie Foundation 

Student Affairs – Student Affairs Universal/Emergency Grant application provided through Lehman College Club Central 

Vendor/Payee will need to be registered in CUNYBuy for payment to occur.
  • LCU Scholars Housing Support Grant Program

Supports women enrolled full-time who have earned at least 12 credits at Lehman studying the arts, education, social work, public administration, religious leadership, criminal justice or health care who need temporary financial assistance related to housing. 

Lease that includes applicant’s name required. 

Income guidelines (based on FAFSA):  less than $50,000 yearly 

Minimum GPA of 3.0 

Scholars may be asked to participate in events and/or activities on and off campus. 

Up to $6000 per semester/$12,000 per academic year 

Apply using the Student Affairs Universal/Emergency Grant Application on Club Central; must identify this grant on the application 
  • Book/Course Materials Voucher 

Provides funds to purchase books, academic course materials and supplies through the Lehman College Bookstore

Minimum GPA of 2.0 (undergraduate) and  3.0 (graduate) 

Up to $250 per semester available.

Apply using the Student Affairs Universal/ Emergency Grant Application on Club Central; need to identify this grant on the application; funds must be used within two weeks of receipt


All grant applications require:

  • the submission of *supporting documentation (e.g., copy of utility bill, lease) [see details below]
  • a short statement of need outlining your emergency or temporary hardship and how the grant will assist you. 

In addition, each application must go through a committee and financial review which can take up to one month. Processing will take longer if supporting documents are not submitted in a timely manner or if you do not include a statement of need. 

The application review process will begin after 2/14/24 census date  
Applications are open until the deadlines outlined or until funds are expended.  
*** 

Please find a description of each program below and criteria that you MUST meet to be eligible. 
To find out your eligibility please complete the Basic Needs Support Grant Pre-Screening Form. If you are eligible, you will be provided with the link to the Student Affairs Universal/Emergency Grant Application and the grant that best meets your needs. You can also apply via the links below each grant description.  Please direct questions to student.affairs@lehman.cuny.edu


GRANT 1: The Carroll and Milton Petrie Student Emergency Grant Fund:

The Carroll and Milton Petrie Student Emergency Grant Fund has been awarded to Lehman College for the purpose of providing grants that enable currently enrolled students in good academic standing who are experiencing temporary, short-term financial emergencies to remain in school. Students who demonstrate need and are facing unexpected, unforeseen, or unavoidable emergency expenses may apply for this grant.

academic standing who are experiencing temporary, short-term financial emergencies to remain in school. Students who demonstrate need and are facing unexpected, unforeseen, or unavoidable emergency expenses may apply for this grant.

The grant provides awards up to $1250.00 per semester. The final award amount will be based on need as described in the student’s application and as supported by the appropriate documentation.

In addition, through this fund, students can apply for one 30-day Unlimited MetroCard each semester. You must note that you need help with “transportation” expenses on your Petrie application.

Deadline: May 3, 2024

Eligible students must meet application requirements below and provide a complete application.

  • Be a matriculated Lehman College student in good academic standing (E-Permit and Visiting Students are not eligible).
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.0
  • Upload their Student ID and other documentation to support their emergency and/or demonstrate need
  • Provide an invoice or other bill that includes your name and address
  • Provide a W-9 form from the vendor to be paid (except if it’s a utility company such a ConEdison, Verizon etc.) 
  • Provide a written statement including the information below:
    • How your academic program is helping to achieve your personal and career goals
    • What your emergency is and how the situation is affecting your studies  
    • What the funds will be used for and an itemized detail of each cost and total amount of aid requested  
    • How you will benefit from the grant

*Please note that Petrie funds are not disbursed directly to students-- funds are sent to the vendor directly (such as, landlord, ConEdison, etc.).


Click here to apply for the Petrie Emergency Grant


GRANT 2: Student Affairs Emergency Grant 

The Student Affairs Emergency Grant Fund provides small microgrants to students experiencing financial challenges related to unexpected, unforeseen, or unavoidable emergencies. These funds are made available via the Student Activity Emergency Fund for students in need and are funded through the Student Activity Fee earmark allocation every semester. The grant provides awards up to $950.00 per semester. The final award amount will be based on need as described in the student’s application and as supported by the appropriate documentation.  

Please note that the vendor/payee will need to be registered in the CUNYBuy system for payment to occur.

Students who apply for other Basic Needs grants (e.g., Petrie or LCU Housing Fund) may also be eligible to request additional funds via the Student Affairs Emergency Grant.

Deadline: May 3, 2024

Eligible students must meet application requirements and provide a complete application.

Eligible applicants must: 

  • Be a matriculated Lehman College student in good academic standing (E-Permit and Visiting Students are not eligible).
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.0 
  • Upload documentation to support their emergency and/or demonstrate need 
  • Itemize each cost and provide a total of requested amount
  • Provide an invoice, lease or other bill that includes your name and address
  • Provide a W-9 form from the vendor to be paid (except if it’s a utility company such a ConEdison, Verizon etc.).
  • Provide the name, address and contact information of the vendor/payee.
  • Provide a written statement detailing:  
    • How your academic program is helping to achieve your personal and career goals 
    • Your current unexpected, unforeseen, or unavoidable emergency 
    • How you will benefit from the grant 

*Please note that Student Affairs Emergency Grant funds are not disbursed directly to students-- funds are sent to the vendor directly (such as, landlord, ConEdison, etc.).   

Click here to apply for the Student Affairs Emergency Grant


GRANT 3: The LCU Scholars Housing Support Grant Program

The LCU Scholars Housing Support Grant Program supports a select number of women undergraduate and graduate students who have financial difficulties meeting their housing expenses in addition to their tuition and other education-related obligations. The funds are provided by the LCU Fund for Women’s Education, which provides “housing subsidies to women who may otherwise be unable to afford to live and pursue their education in New York City.”  The LCU Fund has outlined the gender, major, GPA and income requirements and has identified as a focus of support, undergraduate scholars in their junior and senior years.

In 2023-24, the LCU Scholars Housing Support Grant Program will provide up to $6,000 per semester ($12,000 per academic year) to awardees. This grant is awarded annually provided students continue to meet requirements and funding is available. The final award amount will be based on need as described in the student’s application, LCU Fund guidelines and as supported by the appropriate documentation. Scholars who are awarded LCU grants will need to meet additional program requirements. For example, students may be asked to participate in events and/or activities on and off campus.

If you have a financial need related to housing and meet the criteria below, you may qualify for an LCU Scholars grant. 

Deadline: May 3, 2024


LCU Eligible applicants:

  • Must identify as a woman. This includes cisgender and transgender women.
  • Must be a matriculated student enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in the arts, education, social work, public administration, religious leadership, criminal justice or health care
  • Must be academically or artistically high performing as evidenced by a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or a portfolio of academic or programmatic success
  • Must earn less than $50,000 annually (as determined by the FAFSA) and have no, or very limited assistance from family or other outside sources
  • Must have completed at least 12 credits at Lehman College
  • Must file a completed FASFA which indicates an unmet financial need after state and federal aid are applied
  • Must use funds to cover HOUSING expenses (rent)
  • Must have a lease that includes your name (will need to provide rental slip and lease)
  • Must provide a W-9 form from the vendor/landlord to be paid
  • Students will be required to meet additional program requirements (see above)
  • Students enrolled full-time for the academic year and undergraduate students in their junior or senior year are given preference for awards
  • Provide a written statement detailing:  
    • How your academic program in the arts, education, social work, public administration, religious leadership, criminal justice or health care is helping to achieve your personal and career goals.
    • Your current housing situation 
    • How you will benefit from an LCU housing grant.

*Please note that LCU funds are not disbursed directly to students-- funds are sent to the vendor directly (such as, landlord, ConEdison, etc.). 

Click here to apply for the LCU Housing Support Grant

Grant 4: Lehman College Book/ Course Materials Voucher

The Lehman College Book/Course Materials Voucher supports students experiencing financial hardship with textbook or course materials, including academic school supplies (e.g., lab notebook, graphing calculator) costs. 

Award Amount: $250.00 voucher to the Lehman College Bookstore or chargeback (refund) based on financial need and good academic standing.

Requirements: Students who are awarded a voucher must purchase their books and materials through the Lehman College Bookstore. The Bookstore is located in the Old Gym Building and can be accessed online here.

If a student has already purchased their books and is seeking a chargeback/refund, they should note this in their application.

Deadline: March 15, 2024


Voucher Criteria:

  • Enrolled in a Lehman College degree program 
  • Minimum 2.0 GPA for undergraduates and minimum 3.0 GPA for graduate students   
  • Must demonstrate financial need. Students are not eligible if they received a SEEK, ACE or Pell book advance/voucher.  
  • Funds must be used within two weeks of receipt.

Click here to apply for the Book/Course Materials Voucher


All Grant Applications MUST Include Supporting Documentation

*What is supporting documentation?

Supporting documentation is proof of your emergency, short-term hardship and/or financial need. It includes bills, invoices, leases, and relevant letters/notices. 

The Petrie, LCU Scholars and Student Affairs grant applications require that you submit supporting documentation. For instance, if you are requesting assistance with paying a specific bill (s), a copy of the bill(s) must be provided with your application. If you are requesting assistance with rental costs, a copy of your lease and rental bill must be included. We may request additional documents to help us with reviewing your application.  

Supporting documents should include your name, address and account number (if applicable). In addition, the full bill should be uploaded. All charges/costs should be clearly detailed as well as the payee (vendor/landlord) and payee address. Digital bills with partial information are not acceptable. Leases should be recent, include your name, and should include signatures. 

Bills/documents can be uploaded as PDFs or you can provide a clear digital picture of all pages in one file. Uploaded files should be identified in the following manner: Last Name_First Name_Type of Document (e.g., Smith_Mary_ConEdBill) 

In order for a full review of your application to begin, all supporting documentation must be submitted. The processing of your application could be significantly delayed if supporting documentation is not clearly identified or not provided in a timely manner.   

If you have questions about supporting documentation, please reach out to student.affairs@lehman.cuny.edu.

Sample of ACCEPTABLE bill submission

Sample of ACCEPTABLE rent bill submission

Sample of ACCEPTABLE bill submission

(from: https://www.coned.com/en/accounts-billing/your-bill/how-to-read-your-bill/sample-bill-residential)

 Sample of ACCEPTABLE rent bill submission
Sample of UNACCEPTABLE bill submission
Sample of UNACCEPTABLE bill submission
(student’s name and payee/vendor information are not visible)