LGBT Scholarships

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What Different Types of LGBT Scholarships Are Available for College? 

LGBT scholarships are for college students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. LGBTQ+ students may face various financial obstacles. Scholarships for LGBT college students help make a degree more affordable. There are scholarship programs based on financial need that use your FAFSA info. Some awards also look at GPA, LGBT community service and activism.

There are general scholarships for all LGBT students. Other awards may be for your specific major or career. Others focus on a specific gender identity such as:

  • Transgender scholarships
  • Gay scholarships 
  • Queer scholarships 
  • Bisexual scholarships 
  • LGBTQI scholarships include queer and intersexed students

Scholarships for LGBTQI+ may include an active ally, minorities, children of LGBT parents as well. Active allies support LGBTQ issues through advocacy. This support may also help break down barriers to equality.

LGBTQ applicants should check with their high school counselor and college for financial aid. Some public and private organizations and donors may have LGBT awards.  

Beyond being a key source of financial aid, these programs also promote diversity. Some programs have extra perks too. Mentoring could be beneficial to gain support. You may also work on human rights campaigns that boost awareness for LGBTQI+ students.

For instance, Phoenix Pride High School Scholarship is for LGBTQ or Allies. High school seniors who apply must have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and be an Arizona state resident. The same provider also offers an award for LGBTQ grad and undergraduate students. Selection uses financial need, recommendations and grades.

Make sure to also check the schools you are applying to. Michigan State University offers the Stephen P. Pougnet and Christopher J. Green Endowed Scholarship. It is from the LGBT Resource Center and is open to college juniors and seniors. Academic achievement is one criteria. You must also show contributions to the LGBTQA+ community. 

10 LGBTQ Scholarships You Should Apply for in 2021

Get a head start on 2021 with these 10 scholarships for LGBTQ students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or intersex. If you qualify for one of these awards, apply today!

  1. Stantec Equity & Diversity Scholarship
  2. Jonathan Lax Scholarship Fund For Gay Men
  3. Traub Dicker Rainbow Scholarship
  4. The New York Ramblers Scholarship for Student Athletes
  5. Maylon Smith Scholarship Research Award
  6. Adoption STAR Scholarship for LGTBQ+ Prospective Parents
  7. David Womack Memorial Alabama LGBT Scholarship
  8. David Womack Memorial West Virginia LGBT Scholarship
  9. Women in Medicine LGBTQ Leadership Scholarship
  10. David Knapp Scholarship

What Organizations Support LGBTQ Students Through College? 

Many nonprofits such as NOGLSTP and PGLAG could help pay for higher education. They advocate diversity for students part of the LGBTQ community and allies as well. 

PFLAG stands for Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays. It is the first and largest group for LGBTQ+, their families and allies. They have 400 chapters in the U.S. The Tucson Chapter is one that also awards scholarships.

National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals: NOGLSTP is a professional society. It educates and advocates for LGBTQ students and those that work in STEM. Their Out to Innovate award provides at least two $5,000 scholarships. You also must pursue a STEM teaching field.

Point Foundation is also the nation’s largest scholarship grantor for LGBTQ. Point Scholars must be full time students with leadership, financial need and solid grades. High school seniors, undergraduates and graduate students may apply.

League Foundation began as a grassroots group. They have several national scholarship funds. They offer financial support to LGBTQ+ high school seniors. Their annual awards may also be for students with a 3.0 GPA or higher.

5 Tips to Help You Earn a Scholarship for LGBT

While not everyone qualifies for a LGBT scholarship, these suggestions may help you feel confident about your application. Keep in mind, many scholarship applications open every year on October 11 (Coming Out Day). So, keep track of annual awards you may have missed this time.

1. Until age 24, the FAFSA looks at your parent’s tax info and considers you a dependent. But there is a place on the form where you can indicate you are “homeless”, “at risk of being homeless” and self supporting. So if your parents disowned you when you came out, you may be able to claim independent status.

2. Fill out the FAFSA and submit it on time. That may help you access and qualify for a range of scholarships, work study and grants (like the Pell Grant). Also apply for any scholarships based on ethnicity, academic major or other talents you may have. 

3. Disclosing your gender identity or sexual orientation is optional. The answers you give may likely be private and not shared.

4. The “Common Application” has a Gender category but only provides ‘male’ or ‘female’. But some colleges permit you to change your pronoun for campus records. You may have more inclusive identity questions in other materials. For example, Ithaca College allows you to change your name on VoiceThread.

5. Title IX schools receive federal funds. They should follow the statute that protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs. This means they cannot legally prohibit LGBTQ students from applying. On the other side, private foundations may choose not to select LGBTQ for their scholarships.

List of LGBT Scholarships

New York Times College Scholarship

This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors who are residents of New York and attend a New York City public, private, or parochial high school. Students must participate in community service activities.
Award Amount

Total: $60000

Awards: 10

Deadline

Deadline: November 12

Clay County Agricultural Fair Association Scholarship

This scholarship is available for Clay County (FL) high school seniors who are members of 4-H, FFA, FCCLA, or Police Explorers.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 12

Deadline

Deadline: December 06

Denny’s ‘Hungry for Education’ Scholarship

This award is available for U.S. high school seniors who are 16 years of age or older at time of application. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, be involved in community service, and demonstrate financial need.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 200

Deadline

Deadline: December 31

Derek Jeter/Hillsborough Education Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship is available for current high school seniors residing in Hillsborough County, Florida. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate participation in community service and extracurricular activities.
Award Amount

Total: $12000

Awards: 2

Deadline

Deadline: January 15

Megan Meier Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors who have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and a history of promoting antibullying efforts and causes.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 4

Deadline

Deadline: January 17

Tom Steel Post-Graduate Fellowship

This fellowship is provided annually to fund a new lawyer to work in the United States on an innovative, public interest law project that serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community.
Award Amount

Total: $30000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: January 31

Spirit of Anne Frank Award

Graduating high school seniors who are community leaders and have been accepted to a four-year college are eligible for this award. The award recognizes students who exemplify the commitment, ideals and courage that Anne Frank represents today.
Award Amount

Total: $7500

Awards: 2

Deadline

Deadline: January 31

Bobby Griffith Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is available for U.S. and international students who have graduated from a high school in Contra Costa, California. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to advancing the cause of LGBTQ students through activism and social participation.
Award Amount

Total: $6000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: January 31

eQuality Medical Scholarship

This scholarship is available for undergraduate students in California who are majoring in a medical field. Applicants must identify as LGBT or demonstrate a history of campaigning for and working toward LGBT inclusion and equality.
Award Amount

Total: $6000

Awards: 3

Deadline

Deadline: January 31

eQuality Recent High School Graduate Scholarship

This scholarship is available for residents of central and northern California who have recently graduated high school and are preparing to enroll in college as a first-time freshman student. Applicants must identify as LGBT or demonstrate a history of working toward equality of LGBT individuals.
Award Amount

Total: $6545

Awards: 11

Deadline

Deadline: January 31