Marymount Education Foundation Commits $5.57 Million to LMU, Establishing Marymount Scholars Program

The gift marks the largest contribution to the LMU Catholic High School Promise Program and represents a transformative investment in creating accessible pathways to higher education for local students, rooted in opportunity, formation, and service.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Loyola Marymount University on Thursday announced a transformative $5.57 million gift from the Marymount Education Foundation (MEF) that provides a seamless pathway and comprehensive financial support for local Catholic high school students to attend LMU.

The gift establishes the Marymount Scholars Program, a mission-aligned partnership between LMU, MEF and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to expand access to higher education for students facing socio-economic and other barriers to attend a four-year college. Rooted in a shared commitment to Catholic education and the formation of students as whole persons from grade school through college, the program represents a meaningful investment in the promise and potential of Los Angeles and LMU students.

See the press kit with b-roll and images.

"The Marymount Education Foundation's generous commitment to LMU underscores how partners with shared values and a bold vision can create pathways to expand access to higher education," said LMU President Thomas Poon. "This program will transform the lives of more than 70 ambitious and talented Catholic high school students considering LMU as their college home."

"I am delighted by this new partnership, which will make Catholic education more affordable and more available to young people in our archdiocese," said Archbishop José H. Gomez. "It is a great example of what we can do when we work together, and I look forward to a long relationship between our Catholic schools and Loyola Marymount University."

The gift will support up to 18 new students annually who are part of the LMU Catholic High School Promise Program, a pioneering academic partnership established in 2025 between LMU and the archdiocese's Department of Catholic Schools. The Marymount Education Foundation's commitment marks the program's largest gift to date.

The Marymount Scholars Program guarantees admission and provides comprehensive financial support and resources for qualified high school senior students annually from LMU Catholic High School Promise Program's six participating high schools: Bishop Conaty–Our Lady of Loretto High School, Bishop Mora Salesian, Cantwell–Sacred Heart of Mary College Prep, Junípero Serra High School, St. Bernard College Prep, and St. Pius X–St. Matthias Academy. The Promise Program's first cohort – members of the LMU Class of 2030 – joined the university at the start of the 2026-27 academic year.

"MEF is gratified that its support will remove barriers for dozens of local high school students who select LMU as their college of choice," said MEF Founding Executive Director Robyn Jones. "Expanding access to higher education and creating pathways to help students achieve lifelong success are key elements of the foundation's mission."

More than simply financial support, the Marymount Scholars Program enables students to participate fully in the LMU experience and thrive through graduation – with access to faculty mentorship, career and professional development resources, stipends towards study abroad opportunities, funding for technology, laptops, and books, and ongoing support and progress monitoring. Marymount Scholars are offered one-on-one support with foundation mentors throughout their four years in the program – from campus visits to career coaching sessions – setting them up for success during their academic careers and after graduation. 

"As a graduate of St. Bernard College Prep and growing up in the Los Angeles area, I was drawn to LMU after taking a tour in middle school and because of LMU's Catholic values," said Chibby Obi, LMU first-year student and LMU Catholic High School Promise Program Scholar. "The LMU Catholic High School Promise Program helped make the dream of college a reality for me. Having the ongoing support of the program and getting to know my cohort peers has made me excited for the four years ahead."

For LMU, the new Marymount Scholars Program advances the university's mission to educate the whole person in the service of faith and the promotion of justice. By investing in students whose experiences and perspectives enrich the campus community, and providing sustained mentorship opportunities and academic support, the program strengthens LMU's commitment to fostering educational access and empowering future leaders to create positive change in their communities.

SOURCE Loyola Marymount University