Basic Needs Support Grants
The Basic Needs Center offers two types of grants for students, Emergency and Non-Emergency. 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.
Fall 2024 Grant Applications are Open September 17 – December 2, 2024
Emergency Grants focus 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.
Emergency Grants
The Carroll and Milton Petrie Student Emergency Grant Fund
Up to $1,250 per semester + MetroCard
Student Affairs Emergency Grant
Up to $950 per semester
MetroCards: Ride the MTA for Half Price
Lehman students who seeking assistance to purchase a MetroCard are encouraged to apply for the Fair Fares NYC program. This NYC program provides a 50% discount on all subway and eligible bus fares. CUNY Students, Student Veterans and NYCHA residents who meet the eligibility criteria can enroll in the program. Check your eligibility status at Fair Fares NYC .
Grant Application Requirements
All grant applications require:
- the submission of *supporting documentation
- a short statement of need outlining your emergency or temporary hardship and how the grant will assist you.
In order for a full review of your application to begin, all supporting documentation, including the statement 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.
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.
Applications are open until the deadlines outlined or until funds are expended.
To find out your eligibility please complete the Basic Needs Support Grant Pre-Screening Form. You can also apply via the links below each grant description.
Please direct questions to student.affairs@lehman.cuny.edu
Supporting Documentation
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.
*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, Student Affairs and LCU Scholars 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
(from: ConEd)