The main purposes of the Lupus Inspiration Foundation for Excellence (L.I.F.E.) are twofold: To promote awareness of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to provide supplemental financial and educational assistance to part-time or full-time college students with this disease. This is the only charitable, non-profit, organization in the country dedicated to providing much-needed financial aid to students with SLE-a group under-represented by governmental funding. SLE remains one of the least recognized major illnesses affecting Americans.

L.I.F.E. recognizes the importance of a college degree today. The Foundation also realizes the obstacles a student with lupus must face, and its program was expressly created to help these students obtain their college degree, by providing them with financial and educational assistance.

Although the Foundation, at this time, limits its scholarships to those suffering from SLE, it does provide other services that are intended for the general public. For example, the organization promotes the awareness of lupus and the educational needs of these students. The founders of L.I.F.E. believe that educating the public about SLE is an important step to decreasing many of the prejudices surrounding this condition.