Be a Lion Fund

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.