If you’re a Lehman College student facing an unexpected financial emergency, you may be able to get up to $1,250 per semester to help cover essential expenses.
The Carroll and Milton Petrie Student Emergency Grant Fund helps eligible students who are struggling with a temporary financial crisis that could interfere with their education.
Whether you’re dealing with an unexpected housing expense, an overdue utility bill, or another qualifying emergency, this fund may help you stay enrolled while you work through the situation.
Fall 2026 applications are open through December 4, 2026, or until available funding runs out.
Here’s how the program works, who qualifies, and what you need to apply.
What Is the Carroll and Milton Petrie Student Emergency Grant Fund?
The Carroll and Milton Petrie Student Emergency Grant Fund is an emergency assistance program administered through Lehman College’s Basic Needs Center.
It provides short-term financial assistance to eligible students experiencing unexpected financial hardship.
The goal is to help students overcome temporary emergencies that might otherwise disrupt their education or force them to withdraw from college.
Unlike a traditional scholarship, this funding is intended for specific emergency expenses rather than general educational costs.
Awards are based on documented financial need and are subject to available funding.
Who Qualifies for the Petrie Emergency Grant?
To qualify, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be a currently enrolled, matriculated Lehman College student.
- Be in good academic standing.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
- Be experiencing a qualifying financial emergency.
- Provide the documentation required to demonstrate your emergency and financial need.
E-Permit students and visiting students are not eligible.
Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee an award. Applications are reviewed based on the student’s circumstances, documented need, and available funding.
If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies, contact Lehman’s Basic Needs Center before applying.
How Much Money Can You Receive?
The Petrie Fund offers up to $1,250 per semester.
The amount you receive depends on your documented emergency expenses and unmet financial need.
Lehman’s Financial Aid Office reviews the student’s financial circumstances, and an award cannot exceed the unmet need determined through that process.
You also won’t receive the grant as a cash deposit into your personal bank account.
Instead, approved payments are made directly to the vendor or landlord associated with your qualifying expense.
For example, if your application is approved for a qualifying utility bill, the payment would go to the utility provider rather than to you.
What Expenses Can the Grant Cover?
The Petrie Fund is intended to help students with qualifying short-term financial emergencies.
Depending on your circumstances and the college’s approval, assistance may be available for expenses such as:
- Certain emergency housing-related expenses.
- Overdue utility bills.
- Transportation needs.
- Other documented emergency expenses approved by the Basic Needs Center.
However, the program has important restrictions.
What Can’t the Grant Pay For?
According to Lehman’s Basic Needs Support Grants guidance, these emergency grants cannot be used for:
- Tuition and college fees.
- Residence hall expenses.
- Mortgage payments.
- Car loans.
- Insurance payments.
- Credit card bills.
If you’re unsure whether a particular bill qualifies, ask the Basic Needs Center before submitting your application.
Can You Get an OMNY Transit Card?
Yes. The Petrie Fund also allows eligible students to request one OMNY transit card per semester.
However, you need to follow the specific application instructions.
To request an OMNY card:
- Select Transportation as your emergency need on the Petrie Fund application.
- Explain in your personal statement that you’re requesting an OMNY transit card.
- Complete the required student W-9 form before receiving the card.
The college describes this as an available transportation assistance benefit, but students should confirm the current card terms and availability with the Basic Needs Center.
If you need ongoing transportation assistance, Lehman also recommends exploring Fair Fares NYC, which may provide eligible New Yorkers with discounted subway and bus fares.
What Documents Do You Need to Apply?
Lehman requires supporting documentation so the college can verify your emergency and determine whether the requested assistance is appropriate.
You should be prepared to provide:
- Your Lehman College student ID.
- A personal statement explaining your circumstances.
- Supporting documentation showing the emergency expense.
- The vendor’s name and contact information.
- Any additional paperwork required for payment.
What Should Your Personal Statement Include?
Your statement needs to address three important topics:
1. Your academic and career goals
Explain how your academic program at Lehman College supports your personal goals and future career plans.
2. Your financial emergency
Describe what happened, why the situation is an emergency, and how it is affecting your ability to continue your studies.
3. How the grant will help
Explain how the requested assistance would help you address the emergency and remain enrolled.
Be clear and specific. The college needs to understand both the financial problem and its effect on your education.
What Paperwork Does the Vendor Need?
For many payments, the vendor must provide:
- A completed W-9 form.
- A Direct Deposit form.
Standard utility companies, such as Con Edison or Verizon, may be exempt from these vendor paperwork requirements.
If you’re requesting assistance with rent or another expense involving a private vendor, make sure you understand the documentation requirements before applying.
Additional Document Rules
Lehman also provides specific instructions for supporting documents.
For example:
- Bills should be submitted in full rather than as incomplete screenshots or partial digital bills.
- Lease agreements should be recent and signed.
- Uploaded files should have clear, descriptive names, such as
Smith_Mary_ConEdBill.
Following these instructions may help prevent delays in the review process.
How Do You Apply?
Applications are handled through Lehman’s Basic Needs Center.
Here’s how to get started:
- Visit the official Petrie Emergency Grant Fund page.
- Review the current eligibility and documentation requirements.
- Complete the Basic Needs Support Grant pre-screening process, if directed.
- Open the Petrie Fund application using the link provided by Lehman.
- Complete your application and personal statement.
- Submit all required documentation, including bills and vendor information.
- Wait for the college’s review and funding decision.
Applications are reviewed by the appropriate college committee and Financial Aid Office.
The review process can take up to one month, and it may take longer if documents are missing.
The review period begins once all required materials have been submitted.
If you’re facing an urgent deadline, contact the Basic Needs Center to discuss your situation rather than assuming the grant will be approved immediately.
Is This Different From Lehman’s Student Affairs Emergency Grant?
Yes. Lehman College also offers a separate Student Affairs Emergency Grant, which provides up to $950 per semester.
Both programs are administered through the Basic Needs Center, but they are separate funding opportunities.
Lehman’s guidance indicates that students applying for other Basic Needs Support grants, including the Petrie Fund, may also request Student Affairs Emergency Grant assistance.
However, being eligible to request both does not guarantee approval for both awards.
Any assistance remains subject to documented need, Financial Aid review, program restrictions, and available funding.
If you think you may qualify for both programs, contact the Basic Needs Center to ask how the applications and awards work together.
When Is the Application Deadline?
The Fall 2026 Petrie Fund application period runs from September 18 through December 4, 2026.
However, Lehman states that applications remain open only until the published deadline or until available funds are exhausted, whichever happens first.
That means the program could close before December 4 if all available funding is awarded.
As of October 8, 2026, the published Fall 2026 application window is still open.
If you qualify and need assistance, it’s worth submitting your complete application as soon as possible.
You can check the official Basic Needs Center information for the latest availability.
How Can You Contact the Basic Needs Center?
If you have questions about eligibility, supporting documents, or your application, contact Lehman College’s Basic Needs Center.
Email: basic.needs@lehman.cuny.edu
Phone: 718-960-5639
Office: Old Gym Building, Room 302, Lehman College, Bronx, New York
You can also visit the Basic Needs Center website for program information and additional assistance resources.
Important: Lehman warns students about fraudulent grant offers. Don’t share personal, financial, or payment information in response to unsolicited messages promising emergency grants. Use the college’s official website and verified contact information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Receive the $1,250 Directly?
No. Approved Petrie Fund payments go directly to the appropriate vendor or landlord.
Can I Use the Grant to Pay Tuition?
No. Lehman’s Basic Needs Support Grants cannot be used for tuition or college fees.
Do I Need a 2.0 GPA?
Yes. The program requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, along with current matriculated enrollment and good academic standing.
Can Visiting Students Apply?
No. E-Permit and visiting students are excluded from this fund.
Can I Apply for Both Emergency Grants?
You may request assistance through both the Petrie Fund and the Student Affairs Emergency Grant, but approval is not guaranteed. Awards are subject to documented unmet need and other program requirements.
How Long Does Approval Take?
The review process may take up to one month after all required documents have been submitted. Missing paperwork can cause additional delays.
Is the Fund Still Accepting Applications?
The published Fall 2026 application window runs through December 4, 2026, but the program may close earlier if funding runs out.
Relief Recap
An unexpected financial emergency can make it difficult to stay focused on college, especially when you’re worried about paying essential bills.
Lehman College’s Carroll and Milton Petrie Student Emergency Grant Fund may provide up to $1,250 per semester to eligible students experiencing short-term financial hardship.
To qualify, you must be a currently enrolled, matriculated student in good academic standing with at least a 2.0 GPA.
Approved funds are paid directly to vendors, and certain expenses, including tuition, mortgages, and credit card bills, are excluded.
Fall 2026 applications are scheduled to close December 4, 2026, or earlier if funding runs out.
If you’re struggling with an emergency expense, visit the official Petrie Fund page to review the requirements and apply.
