20 Great LGBTQ Scholarships

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In remembrance of the 49 lives lost in the Orlando shooting massacre on June 12, 2016, we’d like to present great LGBTQ scholarships for college.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars are available to help lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students afford rising tuition. Approximately 12 percent of U.S. undergraduates have courageously come “out.” College campuses have become more accommodating to LGBTQ students in recent years, but there are still obstacles to overcome. One DoSomething survey found that 60 percent of LGBTQ students report feeling unsafe on-campus due to their sexual orientation. Over one-third have experienced harassment in the last year.

Related: 20 Best Deals on Colleges for LGBTQ Studies

Luckily, cost is one less worry for LGBTQ students to concern themselves with. The following are 20 of the most generous scholarships awarded to students who self-identify as LGBTQ or straight allies.

1. Acorn Equality Fund Scholarships

Deadline: September 23rd

The Acorn Equality Fund distributes annual scholarships that range from $1,000 to $5,000. They’re for LGBTQ students who legally reside in downstate Illinois, excluding the counties of:

  • Cook
  • DuPage
  • Grundy
  • Kane
  • Kendall
  • Lake
  • McHenry
  • Will

Eligible applicants who are attending accredited U.S. colleges must write a 500-word essay describing how being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer has impacted their life.

One award, the Pauls Scholarship, is reserved for those pursuing careers in business or mathematics.

Contact

Acorn Equality Fund Scholarships
P.O. Box 6286
Peoria, IL 61601
(309) 494-2273
acorn1999@gmail.com
Scholarship Link

2. Audre Lorde Scholarship Fund

Deadline: July 30th

The Audre Lorde Scholarship Fund is operated by the National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging. It provides $1,000 to African American “out” lesbians who are attending any undergraduate or graduate school nationwide. Eligibility criteria requires:

  • being at least 40 years old
  • being registered for full-time or part-time attendance
  • possessing a minimum 3.0 grade point average
  • answering two essay questions
  • attaching three letters of recommendation.
Contact

Audre Lorde Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 90986
Atlanta, GA 30364
(404) 331-0909
zaminobla@zaminobla.org
Scholarship Link

3. Bill and Ann Shepherd Legal Scholarship

Deadline: March 16th

Oregon’s Equity Foundation has established the Bill and Ann Shepherd Legal Scholarship. It offers $3,000 to $8,000 annually to third and fourth-year law school students. They must exhibit dedication to advancing equality for LGBTQ individuals and same-sex couples. Qualified applicants must:

  • be U.S. citizens
  • attend an ABA-accredited Juris Doctor program
  • intend to take the Bar Exam to practice law

Other funding includes the David M. Crawford Memorial Scholarship and Larry McDonald Scholarship.

Contact

Bill and Ann Shepherd Legal Scholarship
P.O. Box 5696
Portland, OR 97228
(503) 231-5759
info@equityfoundation.org
Scholarship Link

4. Fund for Education Abroad Rainbow Scholarship

Deadline: January 18th

The Fund for Education Abroad  Rainbow Scholarship is valued at $5,000. It’s presented annually to deserving LGBTQ students who are participating in high-quality, rigorous study abroad programs at least 30 days long. To qualify, candidates must:

  • be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
  • be enrolled as undergraduates at accredited colleges
  • exhibit financial need
  • show active involvement in volunteer service

Preference is given to non-traditional destinations, such as:

  • Asia
  • South America
  • Africa.
Contact

Fund for Education Abroad Rainbow Scholarship
1155 Connecticut Avenue Suite 300
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 349-7340
fea@fundforeducationabroad.org
Scholarship Link

5. Gamma Mu Foundation Scholarships

Deadline: March 31st

Each year, the Gamma Mu Foundation distributes multiple scholarships of $1,000 to $2,500. They  support gay men under 35 years old who are advancing their education into a college, university, or vocational training program. Eligible recipients must:

  • have completed a high school diploma or GED
  • be U.S. citizens
  • demonstrate leadership qualities
  • have strong academic merit
  • exhibit perseverance in overcoming discrimination

Priority is given to male students from rural and/or under-served communities.

Contact

Gamma Mu Foundation Scholarships
P.O. Box 23520
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33307
(866) 463-6007
scholarships@gammamufoundation.org
Scholarship Link

6. Gene and John Athletic Fund Scholarship

Deadline: April 15th

The Stonewall Community Foundation strives to strengthen the LGBTQ community with five distinct scholarship funds, such as the Gene and John Athletic Fund Scholarship. This scholarship awards $2,500 to $5,000 yearly to LGBTQ student-athletes. They must be  pursuing post-secondary education and a professional or amateur sports career. Eligible are graduating high school seniors from the New York City Metro who are accepted into accredited U.S. colleges.

Contact

Gene and John Athletic Fund Scholarship
446 West 33rd Street
New York, NY 10001
(212) 367-1155
grants@stonewallfoundation.org
Scholarship Link

7. George Choy Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: June 30th

The George Choy Memorial Scholarship is funded by the Gay Asian Pacific Alliance.  It offers $1,000 in tuition assistance to students who are:

  • lesbian
  • gay
  • bisexual
  • transgender

They must be of Asian or Pacific Islander heritage and entering their freshman or sophomore year. Qualified candidates must:

  • have at least 25 percent API ancestry
  • attend an accredited U.S. institution
  • reside in California’s Bay Area
  • maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA
  • support community efforts to end social issues affecting LGBTQ communities.
Contact

George Choy Memorial Scholarship
P.O. Box 22482
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 857-4272
programs@gapafoundation.org
Scholarship Link

8. Kay Longcope Scholarship Award

Deadline: May 31st

The Kay Longcope Scholarship Award honors the Boston Globe’s first “out” reporter. The $3,000 award is made by the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association each year. Interested applicants must:

  • be LGBTQ students of color
  • attend an accredited four-year U.S. college
  • have a declared major in journalism or communications
  • showcase scholastic ability

Applications must include:

  • a one-page resume
  • five work samples
  • official transcripts
  • an original LGBTQ news story.
Contact

Kay Longcope Scholarship Award
2120 L Street NW Suite 850
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 588-9888
aarons@nlgja.org
Scholarship Link

9. Live Out Loud Educational Scholarship

Deadline: March 14th

LGBTQ youth from the Tri-State Area of New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey should apply for the Live Out Loud Educational Scholarship. It provides three $10,000 awards yearly. To qualify, applicants must:

  • be graduating high school seniors
  • be pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree at an accredited U.S. college
  • demonstrate past leadership in community service
  • possess academic merit
  • submit two letters of recommendation
  • have unmet financial need.
Contact

Live Out Loud Educational Scholarship
45 West 36th Street 6th Floor
New York, NY 10018
(212) 378-4091
jd@liveoutloud.info
Scholarship Link

10. Malyon-Smith Scholarship Award

Deadline: February 1st

The American Psychological Association (APA) Division 44 honors its founders, Alan Malyon and Adrienne Smith, with the annual the $1,000 Malyon-Smith Scholarship Award. Qualified recipients must:

  • be enrolled full-time at accredited U.S. graduate schools
  • have declared a major in psychology or allied disciplines
  • exhibit academic achievement
  • be advancing research on sexual orientation

Applications must a detailed APA-style project proposal that clearly affects the LGBTQ community.

Contact

Malyon-Smith Scholarship Award
750 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 336-5500
foundation@apa.org
Scholarship Link

11. Markowski-Leach Scholarship Fund

Deadline: April 22nd

The Markowski-Leach Scholarship Fund honors Tom Markowski and Jim Leach, a beloved gay couple, who died from AIDS. The fund awards $1,000 to $2,000 to LGBTQ students who are accepted at:

  • San Francisco State
  • Stanford
  • UC Berkeley
  • UC San Francisco

Eligible undergraduates must:

  • earn a minimum 2.5 GPA
  • maintain full-time enrollment
  • pursue a bachelor’s degree or teaching credential
  • exemplify excellence in being a role model for LGBTQ individuals.
Contact

Markowski-Leach Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 13315
Oakland, CA 94661
mlscholarships@gmail.com
Scholarship Link

12. Matthew Shepard Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: April 30th

The LEAGUE Foundation created the Matthew Shepard Memorial Scholarship in 1999 to remember the gay University of Wyoming student who was brutally beaten and murdered in 1998. For $1,000 to $2,000 in funding, qualified applicants must:

  • be graduating from high school
  • be accepted into accredited U.S. or Canadian colleges
  • hold American citizenship
  • achieve a cumulative GPA above 3.0
  • promote equality for the LGBTQ community
  • send two letters of recommendation.
Contact

Matthew Shepard Memorial Scholarship
1407 North West Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
info@leaguefoundation.org
Scholarship Link

13. Out to Innovate STEM Scholarship

Deadline: June 10th

In the amount of $5,000, The Out to Innovate STEM Scholarship is presented by the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals annually. The $5,000 award is for self-identified LGBTQ students pursuing degrees in:

  • science
  • technology
  • engineering
  • mathematics

Eligibility criteria requires:

  • attaining at least junior standing
  • attending an accredited U.S. college full-time
  • having a minimum 3.0 GPA
  • being active supporters of LGBTQ inclusion organizations.
Contact

Out to Innovate STEM Scholarship
P.O. Box 91803
Pasadena, CA 91109
scholarships@noglstp.org
Scholarship Link

14. Queer Foundation Scholarships

Deadline: Varies

The Queer Foundation awards several $1,000 LGBTQ Scholarships. They’re for academically gifted queer youth who are planning to attend accredited U.S. colleges or universities full-time. For consideration, applicants must write an essay that discusses issues affecting America’s queer population including:

  • medical
  • legal
  • political
  • social

Selected scholars also benefit from mentoring and academic advising during their collegiate careers.

Contact

Queer Foundation Scholarships
3212 West Wheeler Street Suite 145
Seattle, WA 98199
(206) 999-8740
jdial@queerfoundation.org
Scholarship Link

15. Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship

Deadline: May 2nd

Sponsored by UnitedHealthcare, the National AIDS Memorial Grove offers the Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship. It awards $2,500 to $5,000 for LGBTQ high school seniors and college students. They must be under 27 years old and show active involvement in public service to fight HIV/AIDS. Applicants must send:

  • an application with 1,500-word personal essay
  • official transcript showing a minimum 2.5 GPA
  • at least one signed letter of recommendation.
Contact

Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship
P.O. Box 2270
San Francisco, CA 94126
(415) 765-0498
mkennedy@aidsmemorial.org
Scholarship Link

16. PFLAG National Scholarship Program

Deadline: April 30th

The Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays National Scholarship Program is open to graduating high school seniors.  They must be entering their freshman year of higher education at an accredited U.S. institution. The program awards over $75,000 annually. Qualified candidates must:

  • self-identify within the LGBTQ family
  • not be receiving full-tuition coverage
  • maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA
  • be actively involved in volunteer service that keeps LGBTQ communities safe.
Contact

PFLAG National Scholarship Program
1828 L Street NW Suite 660
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 467-8180
info@pflag.org
Scholarship Link

17. Point Foundation LGBTQ Scholarships

Deadline: January 19th

The Point Foundation offers LGBTQ Scholarships for up to $13,600 to “out” high school seniors and college undergraduates. They  attend an accredited U.S. college full-time for an associate or bachelor’s degree. Chosen finalists will:

  • be studying on-campus rather than online
  • legally reside in the United States
  • showcase strong academic merit
  • have significant unmet need
  • be active LGBTQ community advocates
  • pass an interview.
Contact

Point Foundation LGBTQ Scholarships
1357 Broadway Suite 401
New York, NY 10018
(866) 337-6468
info@pointfoundation.org
Scholarship Link

18. Reaching Out LGBT MBA Fellowship

Deadline: Varies

Annually, the Reaching Out LGBT MBA Fellowship is awarded for $10,000 to graduate students. The must self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. They also must require financial assistance to obtain a Master of Business Administration in any business discipline. Qualified fellows must:

  • serve as ambassadors to the LGBT community
  • display leadership potential
  • be accepted at one of the participating U.S. business schools
  • have good academic standing

Recipients will attend the Annual ROMBA Conference in Chicago.

Contact

Reaching Out LGBT MBA Fellowship
PO Box 515381
Los Angeles, CA 90051
(424) 209-8882
matt@reachingoutmba.org
Scholarship Link

19. Tidal Wave Scholarship Fund

Deadline: May 15th

Operated by Orlando’s GLBT Community Center, the Tidal Wave Scholarship Fund gifts one-time $1,000 awards.  The awards go to students who are openly gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender. Students must be under 23 years old and pursuing a degree-granting program at an accredited U.S. post-secondary school. Eligible applicants must:

  • demonstrate financial need
  • show pride in their out-and-proud lifestyle
  • achieve a minimum 3.5 GPA
  • clearly communicate their future career pursuits
  • positively contribute to the GLBT community.
Contact

Tidal Wave Scholarship Fund
946 North Mills Avenue
Orlando, FL 32803
scholarshipfund@tidalwaveparty.com
Scholarship Link

20. Vazquez Pride in Health Scholarship

Deadline: January 11th

Among the Pride Foundation’s numerous scholarships for LGBTQ students is the Vazquez Pride in Health Scholarship. It presents $2,500 annually. Qualified recipients from the Pacific Northwest must be pursuing advanced degrees in:

  • medicine
  • public health
  • health science
  • nursing
  • other healthcare professions at accredited U.S. colleges

Priority is given to:

  • transgender individuals
  • minorities of color
  • students from rural towns

Other funds include the Dunham-Kerley Scholarship and Bashert Scholarship.

Contact

Vazquez Pride in Health Scholarship
2014 E. Madison Street Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 323-3318
scholarships@pridefoundation.org
Scholarship Link

Scholarships provide free, non-binding tuition money to diverse student demographics. Gay pride initiatives have sparked a surge in scholarships awarded to LGBTQ individuals. These scholarships reward students for having the bravery to embrace their gender identity and pursue their professional dreams. Some also cater to straight allies who actively promote LGBTQ equality because love is love.

Any of these 20 great LGBTQ scholarships will help celebrate what makes you special with monetary compensation.

Find Your Degree!