LGBTQ+ Continued Education Scholarships & Grants
College scholarships are a vital support system for many students, but their importance is even more pronounced for LGBTQ+ individuals. Facing distinct challenges and financial disparities, traditional scholarships may not adequately address their unique needs.
Research highlights that a significant portion of LGBTQ+ students anticipate covering their college expenses independently. This financial burden can have a substantial impact on their overall well-being and long-term financial stability. To assist LGBTQ+ students in navigating the complexities of higher education funding, this resource provides essential information about available scholarships and highlights some of the most noteworthy programs.
Key Considerations for LGBTQ+ Students Seeking College Scholarships:
LGBTQ+ students often encounter unique obstacles, such as limited family support and unsupportive educational environments.
A wide range of scholarships specifically designed for LGBTQ+ students and advocates are available.
Recognizing the multifaceted challenges faced by individuals with intersecting marginalized identities, numerous organizations offer additional scholarships for students who identify as both LGBTQ+ and members of other underrepresented groups, such as BIPOC students, students with disabilities, and more.
Scholarship amounts typically start at $500.
Student loans are a common alternative to scholarships, with a substantial portion of LGBTQ+ adults carrying student debt ranging from $20,000 to $49,000.
This IS NOT an exhaustive list of scholarships. Be sure to do your own extended search adding more information about yourself - Read some suggestions below on how to search!
Point Foundation Scholarships
The Point Foundation offers various scholarships to LGBTQ students in accredited colleges and universities. The foundation aims to help scholars overcome obstacles to higher education through financial aid, leadership training, and mentoring.
Amount: Need-based, renewable up to four years of support
Eligible Students: “Out” students studying in or applying to accredited colleges or universities.
Deadline: Fall
Asian Pacific Islander Queer Women and Transgender Community Scholarship
Aiming to support future leaders, the APIQWTC awards scholarships to three deserving Asian/Pacific Islander lesbian, bisexual, or queer women and transgender individuals each year. The $3,500 scholarship covers costs for technical training, professional certifications, or postsecondary/graduate degrees.
Amount: $3,500
Eligible Students: Asian/Pacific Islander lesbian, bisexual, or queer women or transgender individuals pursuing technical/professional training or an undergraduate or graduate degree
Deadline: February
Pride Foundation Scholarships
The Pride Foundation recognizes the resilience and leadership potential of LGBTQ+ student leaders in the Northwest. They offer scholarships to students who have experienced family rejection, discrimination, and limited access to education. This program prioritizes those who demonstrate leadership in various aspects of life and actively participate in social justice movements.
Amount: Varies
Eligible Students: LGBTQ+ student leaders from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington and pursuing post-secondary education
Deadline: October
PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Chapter Scholarships
PFLAG chapters across the nation offer local scholarships to LGBTQ+ students and allies. Award details and eligibility vary, but many chapters support high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students.
Amount: $500 - $3,000 depending on awarding chapter
Eligible Students: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Stonewall Community Foundation Scholarships
The Stonewall Community Foundation, a nonprofit based out of New York City, partners with various donors each year to create LGBTQ college scholarships.
Amount: Varies
Eligible Students: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Out to Innovate Scholarships
Offered by the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP), the Out to Innovate scholarships support students who are passionate about STEM fields and proudly identify as LGBTQ+. Their scholarships celebrate academic excellence and aim to increase the visibility of diverse voices in some of the hardest college majors.
Amount: $2,000 - $3,000
Eligible Students: LGBTQ students pursuing degrees in STEM
Deadline: March
League Foundation Scholarships
The League Foundation provides various scholarships to enable self-identified LGBTQ youth to attend college. The scholarships focus on graduating high school students planning to enter higher education.
Amount: Varies
Eligible Students: LGBTQ+ graduating high school seniors with a GPA of at least 3.0 and are actively and substantially involved in community service
Deadline: April
The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists Scholarships
The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists (NLGJA) offers two scholarships to student journalists committed to documenting the LGBTQ+ community fairly and accurately. Each awarded to one student annually, these scholarships provide tuition assistance to LGBTQ students who plan to pursue careers in journalism.
Amount: $3,000 - $5,000
Eligible Students: Undergraduate or graduate LGBTQ students planning a career in journalism and enrolled in accredited programs
Deadline: May
The National Gay Pilots Association Education Fund
Aspiring pilots can consider applying for scholarships from the National Gay Pilots Association Education Fund (NGPA). These scholarships, named for esteemed NGPA members, aim to support the educational pursuits of LGBTQ+ students and advocates in the aviation industry.
Amount: $1,000 and up
Eligible Students: NGPA members who aim to begin careers in the aerospace industry or general aviation
Deadline: Spring
AQA Kenneth W. Payne Student Prize Competition
The Kenneth W. Payne Student Prize is an annual scholarship offered by the Association for Queer Anthropology (AQA). It acknowledges outstanding anthropological work on lesbian, gay, bisexual, or trans identities or critiques of more broadly defined sexualities and genders.
Amount: $500
Eligible Students: Graduate or undergraduate students in one of the four fields of anthropology, namely, archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, or linguistic anthropology
Deadline: June
A great way to search for and write scholarships is by using ChatGPT.
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is a large language model developed by OpenAI.
It can communicate and generate human-like text in response to a wide range of prompts and questions.
Essentially, it's a powerful AI tool that can assist with various tasks, including information gathering, text generation, and even creative writing.
How can ChatGPT help with scholarship searches?
Brainstorming and Idea Generation:
Prompt: "What are some potential scholarship keywords related to [your major/field of study]?"
Prompt: "Give me some creative ideas for scholarship essays based on my volunteer work with [organization]."
Finding Relevant Scholarships:
Prompt: "Find scholarships for [your major] students with [specific criteria, e.g., financial need, minority status]."
Prompt: "List some scholarship databases and websites I should explore."
Refining Search Criteria:
Prompt: "What are some common eligibility requirements for scholarships?"
Prompt: "How can I improve my chances of winning a scholarship?"
Drafting Application Materials:
Prompt: "Help me draft a compelling personal statement for a scholarship application."
Prompt: "Review my scholarship essay for clarity and conciseness."
Organizing Information:
Prompt: "Create a spreadsheet to track all the scholarships I'm applying for, including deadlines and application requirements."
Helpful Hints for Using ChatGPT:
Be Specific: The more specific your prompts are, the more relevant and helpful the responses will be.
Provide Context: Share any relevant information about yourself, your academic goals, and your background.
Review and Refine: ChatGPT's output should be used as a starting point. Always review and refine the information it provides.
Use Multiple Prompts: Experiment with different ways of phrasing your questions to get a variety of responses.
Cross-Reference Information: Always verify information from ChatGPT with reliable sources.
Disclaimer:
ChatGPT is a powerful tool, but it's not a substitute for thorough research and careful planning.
Always review and edit any information generated by ChatGPT before using it in your scholarship applications.