A group of students cheering and singing for the performer at the annual ASLMU Fallapalooza concert.

Be a Lion Fund

Student Affairs proudly established the Be a Lion Fund to extend support to students who may encounter financial barriers to their chosen extracurricular activities. Connecting with others outside of the classroom is an important part of the LMU experience; every student should be able to participate, explore their passions, and take advantage of the full spectrum of engagement at LMU.

The 2025-26 Be a Lion Application will go live on June 16, 2025. If you have a question or need assistance please contact bealion@lmu.edu.

Financial challenges associated with participation in student organizations, events, and programs may hinder students' full engagement in these valuable experiences that set LMU apart. The Be a Lion Fund has been established to provide financial assistance to students by eliminating obstacles that may impede participation in LMU's vibrant student life.

The Be a Lion Fund only applies to experiences through LMU Student Affairs. Experiences tied to academics or outside of the university are not eligible for funding.

Be a Lion applications will be reviewed starting Jan. 8, 2024 and are accepted on a rolling basis. Students may apply for funding for one experience each year to receive up to $500. Students can apply for funds anytime, but will only be eligible to receive funding up to 3 times during their time at LMU.

The application process steps include:

  1. Online Application
  2. Notification of Decision
  3. Fund Distribution and Confirmation

Have questions? Contact the Be a Lion Fund committee.

The Be a Lion Fund helps support students by covering:

The Be a Lion Fund supports costs associated with events or programs offered through LMU Student Affairs or participation in registered student organizations. Funding is not available for experiences tied to academic coursework—such as study abroad, labs, course-related trips, or activities and events provided outside of the university. See below for a more comprehensive list of experiences or costs not covered by the Be a Lion Fund.

 

Applications are reviewed weekly on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. Eligible students may apply once per academic year to receive up to $500 toward qualifying expenses. While students can submit applications at any time, the maximum award is $500 per academic year. Students are welcome to reapply each year during their time at LMU.

Have questions? Contact the Be a Lion Fund

Frequently Asked Questions

  • All undergraduate and graduate students can submit an application at the following link. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

  • “All LMU students enrolled at the Westchester campus—both undergraduate and graduate—are eligible to apply for funding. Eligibility is primarily determined by financial need, as assessed by the Office of Financial Aid based on the student’s current FAFSA submission.

    If you have not submitted a FAFSA, believe the information on file does not accurately reflect your current financial situation, or would like to provide additional context regarding your financial need, we encourage you to include that information with your application. We understand that financial circumstances can change quickly, and we are happy to consider any updated or supplemental information you provide.

  • Yes. Students who qualify for financial aid, scholarships, assistantships or athletic team scholarships are eligible to receive funding.

  • Yes, you can apply for funding for organizations that you plan to join or have not yet paid dues for. If you are applying for funding for Sorority and Fraternity Life and/or Service Organizations, but you have not yet affiliated with a chapter or organization, select “In the process of becoming a member.”

  • Be a Lion funding is awarded to students, not for organizations, so the funds should directly apply to the cost of the recipient’s participation.

    For example, if an organization has dues of $800 and a Be a Lion recipient is awarded $500 for participation in that organization, then that student should not be expected to pay more than $300 in dues to that organization (the student may pay less than $300 if they receive supplemental financial assistance from the organization).

    If you believe an organization is misusing Be a Lion funds, please email the Be a Lion committee at bealion@lmu.edu. Funds cannot be used to cover costs that are not included in the organization’s dues.

  • All Be a Lion applicants will be notified via email it they have been approved, denied or we need further information. Be a Lion funds are distributed through several options including:

     

    1. Direct Payment: If your organization has an online payment portal, we can pay the amount awarded directly to your registered student organization account through our divisional purchasing card. Unfortunately, LMU does not currently support Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal payments so it will have to be website that accepts credit cards.
    2.  Reimbursement: If you have already paid the dues or prefer this method, we can reimburse you through a university check, which can be picked up in University Hall. Please note that reimbursement takes about two weeks, so direct payment might be quicker if your organization provides an online payment portal or are willing to have the funds transferred into their Student Leadership & Development 81 fund.
    3. Transfer to RSO 81 Account: We can also if your registered student organization approves, can transfer the funds directly into their RSO financial 81 account through the Student Leadership & Development office.  
  • The maximum award amount is $500, per academic year, for an individual student.

  • The maximum Be a Lion Fund award is $500 per academic year. Any expenses beyond this amount must be covered by the student. While not guaranteed, many student organizations, programs, or university offices may offer their own internal financial assistance to help offset participation costs. We encourage students to inquire with their group or program about any additional support that may be available.

  • Be a Lion is funded by donations from LMU alumni, faculty, staff, parents, and current students. Learn more about fundraising and how to donate here.

Experiences Not Covered by the Be a Lion Fund

  • Academic course costs including travel,
  • Study Abroad
  • Other travel such as university holidays or breaks
  • Passport fees
  • Student Visa/OPT fees
  • Tuition or fees
  • Textbooks or supplies
  • Laptops/Tablets
  • Cell Phones and/or mobile devices
  • Housing/Rent
  • Bikes and/or scooters
  • Health service fees

*Many of these costs are or can be covered through the Lion Emergency Fund application.