LGBT Youth Leadership Awards (YLA)

Award Amount
Application deadline
Awarded By:

Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders (SMYAL)

Number of Awards & Eligibility: There will be between five to eight awards that will be awarded.
In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:
  1. Must be age 24 or younger
  2. Either attended high school or completed GED in the D.C. Metro Area*
  3. Must be starting your first semester of post-secondary education (2 or 4 year college, university, trade school, technical school etc.) by Fall

In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:

Description: SMYAL’s scholarships recognize outstanding LGBTQ+ student leaders who have demonstrated personal growth and a commitment to creating change in their school or community while remaining unapologetically themselves. These scholarships are intended to help offset the cost of continuing education and are awarded directly to recipients entering their first year of post-secondary education, which may include technical or trade school, as well as two- and four-year colleges. Funds are paid directly to the student and may be used for everything from tuition and housing, books and technology, school travel costs, or materials for your program. There are two scholarship funds, both with the same application process and deadline! All applicants will automatically be considered for both awards. Founded in 2015, SMYAL’s LGBT Youth Leadership Awards (YLA) provide a total of up to $25,000 to 5-8 student leaders each year. YLA winners receive up to $5,000 each for their extraordinary leadership and impact in their communities. Learn more about past YLA winners here. Named in honor of Sophie Magerl, Sophie’s Live Out Loud Award (LOLA) will provide a $5,000 scholarship for one student leader who embodies Sophie’s values of self-expression, creative arts, empowerment, resilience, and dedication to community. Sophie was an inspiring 17-year-old who lived out loud and fought for others to be able to express themselves freely.

Application requirements for the LGBT Youth Leadership Awards (YLA) are:

  • Essay
  • Recommendation letter
  • List of program acceptance letters
Additional Information:

Award Amount: Chosen applicants will receive up to $5,000.  The total dollars awarded for this scholarship is $25,000.

Deadline Information:

Deadline for this scholarship is Friday, June 2, 2023

Deadline Information:

Deadline for this scholarship is Friday, June 2, 2023

All applications and supporting materials must be submitted by the listed deadline. No incomplete/ late submissions will be accepted.
About Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders (SMYAL):
Contact Information: Niaomi, -
Address: 410 7th Street SE Washington, District of Columbia

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