BestColleges.com – LGBTQ Scholarships for College Students

GoGrad.org – Scholarships & Financial Aid for Graduate LGBTQ+ Students

General Scholarships

These awards can be used toward tuition any postsecondary institution.

LearnHowToBecome.com – Financial Aid and Scholarships for LGBTQ Students

The burden of paying for college and adjusting to college life can be tough enough – but it only gets harder for LGBTQ students, who may be ostracized for being different. This guide aims to reduce the stress of college for LGBTQ students by assisting with one key element: financial aid. Read on to find scholarships and other financial aid for LGBTQ students – plus learn expert tips for overcoming hurdles during the application process, such as gender identification and parental estrangement. This site provides a filter to search for scholarships.

Stonewall Community Foundation
The Levin-Goffe Scholarship Fund was established to cover up to two years of schooling for immigrants here in New York City who identify as LGBTQI. Scholarships from this fund are intended to provide a measure of economic stability for those who stand at the intersection of marginalization that can be created by being both LGBTQI and an immigrant. Applications may be submitted to Stonewall Community Foundation via e-mail, postal mail, or fax. Find more information here.

SOLGA Kenneth W. Payne Student Prize Competition
The American Anthropological Association -Society of Lesbian and Gay Anthropologists (SOLGA) offers this award for a scholarly anthropological paper, written by a student, on a gay or lesbian topic. The prize consists of a $400 cash award and a letter of commendation from the Prize Committee. (The prize is not specifically for tuition, but rather is intended to reward excellent graduate student papers.) The deadline is in mid-June.

Deaf Queer Youth Scholarship
The Deaf Queer Resource Center sponsors a $500 scholarship for deaf lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer students who are out about their sexual orientation/identity. Candidates must be currently enrolled in high school or college, be under the age of 25, and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. US Citizenship is required. Deaf Queer youth of color are especially encouraged to apply. Selection is based on a written or video essay. The deadline is July 15.

Gamma Mu Foundation Scholarships
The Gamma Mu Foundation awards $19,000 in individual scholarships to gay men who want to continue their education beyond high school at a college, university, or through a vocational or professional training program. The program supports a wide range of educational options, including vocational and technical training, as well as Associate’s, Bachelor’s and graduate degrees. The deadline is March 31.

LEAGUE Foundation
The LEAGUE Foundation awards scholarships for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender high school seniors who have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and who are actively and substantially involved in community service. Scholarships include the Matthew Shepard Memorial Scholarship (name used with permission of the Shepard family), named for the Wyoming college student murdered in 1998 for his sexual orientation, and the Laurel Hester Memorial Scholarship. The application deadline is in mid-April. For more information, write to LEAGUE Foundation, c/o Charles Eader, 1 AT&T Way, Room 4B214J, Bedminster, NJ 07921 or send email to info@leaguefoundation.org.

Malyon-Smith Scholarship Award
The American Psychological Association’s Division 44 (Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian and Gay Issues) offers this award to support graduate student research into psychological issues relevant to gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals, groups or communities. The scholarship amount is up to $1,000. The deadline is February 1, with applications available after November 1. For more information, contact:
Susan Kashubeck, Ph.D.
Texas Tech University
Dept. of Psychology
222 Psychology Building
Lubbock, TX 79409-2051
Phone: 1-806-742-3726
Fax: 1-806-742-0818

Live Out Loud Annual Scholarship
The Live Out Loud Annual Scholarship provides five $5,000 scholarships to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students who have shown exceptional leadership, courage, and achievement. The scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors in the tri-state area (NY, CT, NJ). Award selection is based on leadership and community service involvement. Students will be asked to submit a completed application, six short essays and two letters of recommendation. Finalists will be brought to our office for an interview. The deadline is in mid-March. For more information, email info@liveoutloud.info. You can also learn more about the Young Trailblazers scholarship on the Live Out Loud web site.

Messenger-Anderson Journalism Scholarship and Internship Program
The Messenger-Anderson Journalism Scholarship and Internship Program offers several $10,000 scholarships ($5,000 for the first year and $2,500 for the second and third years) to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students pursuing a degree in journalism and communications at an accredited four-year college or university. High school seniors and current undergraduate students are eligible to apply. A GPA of 2.8 or better is required. The award is sponsored by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF). Winners are required to participate in the Messenger-Anderson Scholarship Intern Program at NGLTF offices in Washington, DC, or New York City during the summer. The deadline is in mid-February. For more information, contact:
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
1325 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 1-202-393-5177
Fax: 1-202-393-2241
TTY: 1-202-393-2284
Email: thetaskforce@thetaskforce.org

NGPA-Education Fund Scholarships for Aviation Students
The National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA) Education Fund provides scholarships to members of the gay and lesbian community (including straight allies) who are pursuing an aviation career as a professional pilot. Applicants must be accepted at or currently enrolled in an accredited college or university with an aviation-related curriculum (e.g., aerospace, aerodynamics, engineering, airport management) in pursuit of a degree leading to a career as a professional pilot or accepted to or undergoing a course of study in a recognized professional pilot aviation training program in an institution of higher learning, aviation technical school, or government approved flight school. Scholarship funds cannot be used to pay for the basic Private Pilot Certificate; they must be applied towards advanced fight training at a government certified flight school or to college tuition if enrolled in an accredited aviation degree program. More than $60,000 has been awarded in scholarships; in 2007, NGPA-EF intends to award at least three scholarships totaling $9,000. The application deadline is March 1.

National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA)
NLGJA provides several scholarships and awards for “students who demonstrate a commitment to providing fair and accurate coverage of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.” These include the $3,000 Leroy F. Aarons Scholarship (deadline mid-January) and the $3,000 Kay Longcope Scholarship (deadline mid-January), as well as the Excellence in Journalism Awards.

NWSA Graduate Scholarships in Lesbian Studies
This award provides financial assistance to graduate students doing a Master’s thesis or Ph.D. dissertation research in lesbian studies. Students do not need to be enrolled in a women’s studies program. Preference is given to candidates who are National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) members. The scholarship amount is $500 per year. The deadline is February 15 of each year. For more information, contact:
Loretta Younger
National Women’s Studies Association
7100 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 301
College Park, MD 20742
Phone: 1-301-403-0525
Fax: 1-301-403-4137

Roy Scrivner Research Grants
The American Psychological Foundation (APF) sponsors the Roy Scrivner Research Grants for graduate and postdoctoral research concerning the study of lesbian, gay and bisexual family psychology and family therapy. There are two graduate student grants of up to $1,000 each and one postdoctoral grant of up to $10,000. The deadline is November 1. For more information, contact:
Scrivner Research Grants
American Psychological Foundation
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: 1-202-336-5843
Email: foundation@apa.org
URL: www.apa.org/apf or www.hookerprograms.org

Transgender Scholarship and Education Legacy Fund (TSELF)
TSELF awards several scholarships for transgender-identified students in the helping and caring professions, including social services, health care, religious instruction, teaching, and law. The awards are sponsored by the International Foundation for Gender Education. The deadline is February 1. For more information, contact:
International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE)
TSELF Awards Committee
PO Box 540229
Waltham, MA 02454-0229
Phone: 1-781-899-2212
Fax: 1-781-899-2212
URL: www.tself.org

An Uncommon Legacy Foundation, Inc.
The Lesbian Leadership Scholarship program, for both undergraduate and graduate students, provides awards for projects that address lesbian social, cultural and educational needs. Consideration will be given to academic performance, honors, personal or financial hardship and especially service to the lesbian/gay community. Candidates must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, have financial need, and demonstrate a commitment or significant contribution to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The scholarship amount is $2,500. The deadline is May 1. Applications in PDF and text formats and additional information may be found on the Uncommon Legacy Foundation web site. For more information, contact:
Scholarship Committee
An Uncommon Legacy Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 33727
Washington, DC 20033
Fax: 1-202-265-1927
Phone: 1-202-265-1926

The Point Foundation
The Point Foundation is a national, publicly-supported scholarship fund that provides financial support, mentoring and hope to meritorious undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students who are marginalized because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Awards amounts vary based on need, and are renewed annually until the completion of one’s degree as long as key expectations are met in the “Contract of Excellence” signed by each Scholar, which includes a requirement to maintain a 3.5 GPA. Past award amounts have ranged from $5,000 to $28,000 per year. The deadline is March 1. The Point Foundation also sponsors the Carlos Enrique Cisneros Scholarship Fund for LGBTQ students attending American University (Washington, DC). An online application form is available on The Point Foundation’s web site. For more information, contact:
The Point Foundation
PO Box 11210
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 1-866-33-POINT (1-866-337-6468)
Fax: 1-866-39-POINT (1-866-397-6468)

Zami
Zami offers the Audre Lorde Scholarship and several other $1,000 scholarships to gay and lesbian undergraduate and graduate students of African descent who are making significant contributions to their communities. Zami is Atlanta’s premiere organization for lesbians of African descent, and the award’s emphasis is on service to the lesbian community. The deadline is May 15. For more information, contact:
Zami
PO Box 2502
Decatur, GA 20031
Email: audrelordescholarship@zami.org
Phone: 1-404-370-0920

Queer Foundation Scholarships
The Queer Foundation sponsors a high school seniors English essay contest to promote queer studies. Winners receive $1,000 scholarships for study in queer theory or a related field such as queer medical, legal, or social issues. Applicants should be LGBTQA high school students. The deadline is February 14. More information and contest rules at http://queerfoundation.org/html/scholarship_application.html or by email at queerfoundation@queerfoundation.org.

Regional Specific

PFLAG National GLBT Scholarship Program
The PFLAG National GLBT Scholarship Program was established by Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) in 2003 to help support the education of GLBT youth and allies. It includes eleven award programs. The scholarship program was funded by the estate of Palmer B. Carson. The $2,500 scholarships include:

• Palmer B. Carson-PFLAG “Sakia Gunn” Scholarship for GLBT Community Involvement
• Palmer B. Carson-PFLAG “Esera Tuaolo” Scholarship for Athletic Achievement
• Palmer B. Carson-PFLAG Scholarship for Nevada/Reno residents
• Palmer B. Carson-PFLAG “Jeanne Manford” Scholarship for GLBT Leadership
• Palmer B. Carson-PFLAG Scholarship for GLBT Advocacy
• Dow Scholarship for Allies
• PFLAG National Donor Scholarship

The $1,000 scholarships include:

• Palmer B. Carson-PFLAG Regional Scholarships (13 scholarships)
• Scholarships for science, engineering, business or finance (5 scholarships)
• The Jeff Iorilla and Roel Hinojosa Scholarship for liberal arts
• PFLAG Scholarship for students with at least one gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender parent or guardian.

To be eligible, a candidate must be a graduating high school senior who self-identifies as either a GLBT person or supporter and who demonstrates an interest in service to the GLBT community.

Gay/Lesbian Adoptive/Foster Parent Scholarship

Win a $750 scholarship–$500 towards your tuition and $250 towards living expenses.

We’ll also give a $250 donation to an adoption or foster-related non-profit organization.

Write 500-650 words supporting this prompt, “My adoptive/foster parent is gay/lesbian and I wouldn’t change it.”

Application Deadline: 11:59pm PST on September 30, 2016

Requirements and Tips

• Your adoptive or foster parent is gay or lesbian.
• You are at least 18 years old when applying.
• You are enrolled in an institution of higher learning. Your course load must be at least 6 units/credits. Applicants from community, public, and private colleges, as well as graduate schools are invited to apply.
• Must provide government-issued proof of identity and school registration.
• Must maintain, and provide proof of, a cumulative 2.0 G.P.A.

Grading

• Grading is based on responsiveness, clarity, and organization.
• We will use charactercountonline.com to verify your word count–we suggest that you do the same.

Notification

• Applicants who do not win will not be notified.

Disqualification

• Applications received after the deadline will be disqualified. We will not respond for requests to consider late submissions–it isn’t fair to applicants who follow the rules.
• Do not include your name or college in your essay.
• Cannot be related to any principals or agents of childsupportlawyerla.com.

Personal Information

• Information submitted by students will not be used, sold, or rented for marketing. Additionally, this information will not be used for any purpose other than the function of this scholarship.
• Information gathered may be used for the purpose of evaluating applicants, determining eligibility,  contacting award winner, and distributing funds, and evaluating the efficiency of the scholarship’s operations.

Publication

• By applying for this award, you give us permission to publish your response. Publication options are not limited to childsupportlawyerla.com.
• No purchase necessary.

Contact Information

jovanjohnson@johnson-moo.com

IBA/DVLF Scholarship Program

Benefits LGBTQ students or allies currently enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university in the Philadelphia area, New Jersey, or Delaware working towards an undergraduate degree in a business program/major and able to demonstrate leadership roles

Contact Information

1315 Walnut Street, Suite 1132
Philadelphia, PA 19107
United States

215-557-0190

TomC@independencebusinessalliance.com

Live Out Loud Annual Scholarship

The Live Out Loud Annual Scholarship provides five $5,000 scholarships to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students who have shown exceptional leadership, courage, and achievement. The scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors in the tri-state area (NY, CT, NJ). Award selection is based on leadership and community service involvement. Students will be asked to submit a completed application, six short essays and two letters of recommendation. Finalists will be brought to our office for an interview. The deadline is in mid-March.

Contact Information

1500 Broadway, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10036

646.519.3290

info@liveoutloud.info

Live out Loud Young Trailblazers Scholarship

Live Out Loud wants to rewards 3 hardworking LGBTQ students for their leadership, courage, and achievement. The LIVE OUT LOUD Educational Scholarship was created to provide financial support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) youth who are pursuing a college degree.  Through this scholarship, LGBTQ youth can apply for funds to pay for educationally related expenses to pursue a degree from an accredited college, university, or technical/vocational program. This year Live Out Loud is awarding 3 scholarships for $10,000.00 each.

Contact Information

45 W 36th St 6th Floor
New York, NY 10018
United States

212.378.4091

jd@liveoutloud.info

Box Diversity Scholarship

The Box Engineering Diversity Scholarship is available to minority, female, and LGBT students. You must be pursuing a degree in computer science or a closely related field to be eligible for this award.

We want you to bring your unique perspective to the technology field, add your voice to the conversation, and help grow a broader, richer, more diverse technology community. As an engineering company, we have a vested interest in your success.

We are offering the Box Engineering Diversity Scholarship to support you as you pursue a career in computer science. Five scholarships will be awarded to students from an underrepresented group or female students, who are pursuing a degree in computer science or a closely related field.

Prizes will be awarded as follows:

• One grand-prize $20,000 scholarship
• Four $4,000 scholarships

Finalists will be awarded a trip to Box HQ for Scholarship Weekend 2016, Dec 1-3. At HQ they will meet and interview with the scholarship committee and participate in activities with fellow scholarship finalists. The grand-prize winner will be selected from the finalists and announced during Scholarship Weekend.

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking for people seeking to use technology to solve problems big and small. We’re looking for students who bring unique perspectives to their field. We’re looking for natural leaders who have collaborative, entrepreneurial spirits and aren’t afraid to pursue their dreams in the face of adversity. We appreciate your uniqueness, and we’re looking for future visionaries who champion diversity from every angle.

Requirements

• Must be pursuing a degree in computer science, or a closely related field.
• Must identify as a woman or underrepresented group.
• Must be enrolled in an accredited four-year post-secondary institution located in the United States.
• Must be a freshman, sophomore or junior.
• Must be a US citizen or legal permanent resident as of the date of application submission.
• Must be available to travel to Box Headquarters in Redwood City, CA for the finalist weekend Dec 1-3, 2016 (Box may sponsor domestic travel within the US).

Wayne F. Placek Grant – American Psychological Foundation

The Wayne F. Placek Grant encourages research to increase the general public’s understanding of homosexuality and sexual orientation, and to alleviate the stress that lesbian women, gay men, bisexual women, bisexual men, and transgender individuals experience in this and future civilizations. Since 1995, the Placek Fund has granted more than $1 million.

The Wayne F. Placek Grant encourages research that addresses the following topics:

• Heterosexuals’ attitudes and behaviors toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, including prejudice, discrimination, and violence.
• Family and workplace issues relevant to LGBT people.
• Special concerns of sectors of the LGBT population that have historically been underrepresented in scientific research.
• Must be either a doctoral‐level researcher or graduate student affiliated with an educational institution of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research organization. Graduate students and early career researchers are encouraged to apply.

Over 50 Scholarships. Only 1 Application.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, Pride Foundation is able to offer a diversity of scholarships, which encourage students of different backgrounds and educational interests to apply. We offer over 50 different types of scholarships, but students only need to complete one application. Most scholarships are available for ally or questioning students as well. All funds promote leadership and diversity in the LGBTQ community. Scholarships are organized in four distinct categories: academic pursuits, community leadership, cultural identities, and geography.

Arts & Music

Bill Bendiner and Doug Morgenson Scholarship for students pursuing a career in human services, health sciences, or visual arts.

Dennis Coleman Scholarship for LGBTQ students studying choral conducting or music with preference given to those committed to creating social change through music.

Jack D. Motteler Scholarship for students in the visual arts.

Patricia Van Kirk Scholarship for lesbians studying theater or visual arts with a commitment to social justice.

Paul Arnold Memorial Scholarship for students studying interior, fashion, or graphic design.

Rainbow City Band Scholarship for students pursuing degrees in music or music education.

Ric Ulrich and Chuck Pischke Scholarship for candidates intending studies that involve visual arts and design.

Business, Law, & Political Science

Political Leadership Scholarship for students studying law, political science, public policy, or public administration with the goal of improving rights for LGBTQ people. Preference is given to LGBTQ students of color and low-income or first-generation college students.

Health & Wellness

Associates in Behavioral Health Scholarship for LGBTQ students pursuing graduate education in psychology, psychiatry, social work, or psychiatric nursing. Preference given to individuals with demonstrated financial needs and to those entering or already enrolled in an accredited graduate program.

Bill Bendiner and Doug Morgenson Scholarship for students pursuing a career in human services, health sciences, or visual arts.

Robert Browning Scholarship for studies in the health sciences.

Soaring Heart Scholarship for students committed to offering compassionate support services to those dealing with illness, death, grief, or trauma, especially where violent acts such as suicide must be addressed.

Tony DeBlase Scholarship for students entering the fields of sex education, sex therapy, research, or something that furthers the understanding of human sexuality, especially alternative sexuality.

Vazquez Pride in Health Scholarship for students pursuing advanced health care degrees (medicine, public health, and/or community health) with a preference given to LGBTQ students of color, students who are Transgender/Gender Queer, or students who are from rural areas or plan to practice in rural communities.

Wozumi Family Scholarship for students who are goal-oriented, HIV positive, and/or focusing on the treatment and/or eradication of HIV.

Science and Technology

Friends of Alan Turing Scholarship for students who are pursuing studies in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM).

Social Work

Emmerson-Hoopes Scholarship for students pursuing an accredited social work degree (BSW or MSW) from the University of Washington or Seattle University.

Social Work Scholarship for LGBTQ students enrolled or admitted to a Council on Social Work Education baccalaureate or master’s program in social work. Students in a doctoral program in Social Work can also apply. Preference given to students of color.

Community Leadership

Donald O. Coffman Scholarship for current and future LGBTQ and ally leaders and role models.

Dunham-Kerley Scholarship for students with physical disabilities and/or students with limited economic resources.

Kathy Spadoni Memorial Scholarship for graduating high school seniors entering a bachelor’s degree program who have demonstrated leadership skills and have a passion for making positive social change.

Lee S. Burke Scholarship for current and future LGBTQ and ally leaders and role models.

Pride Foundation Community Scholarship for current and future LGBTQ and ally leaders and role models.

Varsity Athletics Scholarship for athletes who are playing a varsity level sport in college, with a preference for individuals who are visible LGBTQ role models on campus.

Cultural Identities

Asian and Pacific Islander Queer Sisters (APIQS) Scholarship for Asian/Pacific Islander lesbians, bisexual females, and trans* (both MTF and FTM spectrum) students.

Beyond the Bridge Scholarship for current and future leaders and role models who are trans* or genderqueer students of color pursuing any area of study.

Daniella Altfeld-Moreno Scholarship for Latino/Latina youth under age 25 with a preference for students involved in athletics.

Deloris Carter Hampton Scholarship for women of color who have a demonstrated history of activism and/or leadership in the LGBTQ community and are pursuing a degree in education, women’s health, or dance.

Equal Access & Opportunity Scholarship for students who lack a broader LGBTQ community support system, demonstrate leadership and leadership potential on LGBTQ issues, face additional barriers to educational access (especially LGBTQ students of color, transgender students, LGBTQ immigrant students, LGBTQ youth aging out of foster care, and students who have experienced homelessness, poverty, or isolation due to geography), and show significant financial need.

Frank W. Ross Memorial Scholarship for LGBTQ and allied students under 21 years old who are living in poverty and have experienced housing insecurity, homelessness, or life within the foster care system.

Reverend Gwen Hall Scholarship to provide critical support to students who identify as LGBT or ally, with preference given to students of color. Preference will also be given to students who are studying religious/spiritual studies or social work, especially students whose area of focus is HIV/AIDS.

TheBestColleges.org – College Affordability For Minority Students: Scholarships, Grants, & More

Scholarships for African American students, Hispanic and Latino students, Native American students, Asian and Pacific Islander students, Arab American students, Undocumented students, First Generation Students, and LGBTQIA students.

Thelma Fisher Dewitty Scholarship for current and future African-American LGBTQ leaders and role models.

Trans* Identified Scholarship for current and future trans* identified student leaders and role models.

Under Our Roof Scholarship for students who demonstrate significant financial need who are or have been homeless.

Walker-Solveson Scholarship for junior and senior undergraduate students of any four-year institution whose significant financial need will cause disruption or possible discontinuation of their studies.