Students who are looking for LGBTQ+ scholarships can find a wide range of options. Scholarships are considered gift aid, which means they don’t need to be repaid.
LGBTQ+ scholarships are offered by schools, organizations, cities, and states. There are also national scholarships available.
Read on to learn about scholarships for LGBTQ+ students, plus tips for applying for these awards that may help boost your chances of success.
Overview of LGBTQ+ Scholarships
Scholarships for LGBTQ+ students are essentially free money. Because scholarships do not have to be repaid, they can be an ideal way to make college more affordable and avoid student loan debt.
There are many different types of scholarships for LGBTQ+ students. For example, there are national scholarships as well as awards funded at the state and local level (in specific counties, cities, and municipalities), and at certain colleges and universities.
While some LGBTQ+ scholarships are based on academic achievement, it’s possible to find non-academic scholarships as well. Cast a wide net to see what’s available.
One good way to track down LGBTQ+ college scholarships is to use scholarship search tools and search engines like Campus Pride, Fastweb, Unigo, and the Human Rights Campaign.
National LGBTQ+ Scholarships
National LGBTQ+ scholarships are open to eligible students across the U.S. Here are some of the available options to explore
• Aritzia scholarship: Established by fashion brand Aritzia, the Aritzia scholarship offers four one-time scholarships. Students must identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, or two-spirit, and be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a school in the U.S. They must also plan to work in, or show a strong commitment to, the fields of fashion design, retail management, mental health, or social justice advocacy.
Amount: $5,000
• Traub-Dicker Rainbow scholarship: This one-year scholarship is for lesbians pursuing higher education. Eligible students can be graduating from high school or in any year of college, including graduate school. Applicants may qualify based on their academic achievement, community involvement, leadership, or commitment to LGBTQ+ issues.
Amount: $4,000
• Point Foundation Flagship scholarship: Offered by the Point Foundation, the largest LGBTQ scholarship nonprofit organization, the Flagship scholarship is for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students who are enrolled (or planning to enroll) at an accredited college or university in the U.S. To qualify, a student must be in a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral program, or in a professional degree program (such as medicine or law).
Amount: Based on need. The scholarship may be renewed for up to four years.
• Point Foundation Community College scholarship: This scholarship is for LGBTQ+ community college students in the U.S. who are studying for an associate degree or are planning to transfer to a four-year college or university. They must have one to two years of community college left and be enrolled at least half-time.
Amount: $2,400 per semester or $4,800 per academic year
• Point Foundation BIPOC scholarship: Students who identify as Black, indigenous, or a person of color, and LGBTQ, and are enrolled (or intending to enroll) in a postsecondary institution in the U.S. are eligible for this scholarship. To qualify, applicants must intend to pursue an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, or professional degree.
Amount: Up to $1,500
Top 10 State-Specific LGBTQ+ Scholarships
In addition to national scholarships, there are a number of state-specific LGBTQ+ college scholarships students can also apply for.
LGBTQ+ Scholarships by State
The following states offer LGBTQ+ scholarships. If your state isn’t on the list, do some research to see if you can find applicable scholarships in your region to help with the cost of college. Other options to help cover the expense include grants, financial aid, and federal and private student loans.
1. California: The Markowski-Leach Scholarships are for undergraduate or graduate LGBTQ+ students who are working to achieve a significant positive goal in academics, employment, committee work, or volunteering. Applicants must attend San Francisco State University; Stanford; the University of California, Berkeley; UC College of the Law, San Francisco; or the University of California, San Francisco; be enrolled in a full-time program leading to a degree or teaching credential, and earn at least a 2.5 GPA.
Award: $2,500 for up to two years of eligibility
2. Colorado: The PFLAG Denver Scholarship Program offers scholarships to LGBTQIA+ students who demonstrate advocacy and a drive to build a more just and inclusive world.
Award: $2,500
3. Florida: The Tampa Pride Foundation Scholarships are for LGBTQ+ students in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, and Pasco counties that demonstrate financial need. Students must be U.S. citizens age 26 or younger who have completed high school or a GED. Preference is given to those who have overcome discrimination or marginalization, demonstrate leadership qualities, and have a strong academic performance.
Award: Up to $1,500
4. Illinois: The Acorn Equality Fund provides scholarships to LGBTQ+ students who live in downstate Illinois (except for Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties) and attend an accredited post-secondary educational institution. Scholarships are awarded in six categories.
Award: $1,000 to $4,000
5. Kentucky: Frontrunners Lexington offers two scholarships for LGBTQ+ seniors in public or private high schools planning to attend trade school, community college, or a four-year college or university. Students must reside in Anderson, Bath, Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Garrad, Harrison, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Powell, Scott, or Woodford counties.
Award: $2,500
6. Missouri: Missourians can tap into a variety of scholarship opportunities through the Missouri Courage Scholarship, including the Missouri Courage Award, Rural Courage Award, Trans Courage Award, Fortier Courage Award, and Pay it Forward Award.
Award: $500 to $2,000
7. New York: The Little Bird Scholarship for LGBTQ+ Immigrants offers financial help to refugees and individuals who are seeking or have been granted asylum. Applicants must be undocumented and enrolled at an accredited, nonprofit school in New York City. They must also be rising juniors or seniors.
Award: $18,000 for up to two years of school
8. North Carolina: The Carter Stroupe Memorial Scholarship offers qualifying LGBTQ+ students and LGBTQ+-allied students scholarships for educational expenses. Students must exhibit courage and leadership in their schools and communities and reside in Guilford, Rockingham, Randolph, or Alamance County. Eligible applicants must also demonstrate service in the LGBTQ+ community or a desire to serve.
Award: Up to $2,000
9. Upper Midwest: To qualify for the PFund Scholarship, applicants must be 17 or older, from the upper Midwest (Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, or South Dakota), and enrolled in or admitted to a GED program, community college, four-year college or university, graduate school, trade school, professional certificate program, or apprenticeship program.
Award: $1,000 to $12,000
10. Washington: Washington state residents can apply for the GSBA Scholarship and Education Fund. Applicants must identify as LGBTQ+, as a member of a LGBTQ+ family, or as a cisgender/straight ally who has demonstrated active support of the community. They should be enrolled at a community college, four-year public institution, or vocational/technical/trade school.
Award: $3,000 to $7,500
Tips for Applying for LGBTQ+ Scholarships
Once you’ve found LGBTQ+ scholarships you’d like to apply for, follow these five steps to make your application as strong as possible.
• Review the requirements and directions. Make sure you meet all the scholarship’s eligibility requirements; find out what paperwork is needed, such as school transcripts; and double check the application deadline.
• Ace the essay: If the scholarship application involves an essay component, be sure to highlight your achievements and accomplishments — this isn’t the time to be modest. Explain the impact you hope to make through your education, and how the scholarship would help you achieve your goals. This scholarship essay guide may be helpful as you’re putting your essay together.
• Check your work. Proofread your entire application carefully. Look for any errors or typos. Make any necessary edits or tweaks to your essay.
• Ask for letters of recommendation right away. If recommendations are required, reach out to a teacher or employer who can attest to the quality of your work and other achievements. Give them plenty of time to write the letter. You don’t want them to feel rushed.
• Be prompt. Submit your application before the deadline.
The Takeaway
There are a wide range of scholarship opportunities for LGBTQ+ students that can help make college more affordable. Use scholarship search tools to look for state, local, and national scholarships. Because you don’t have to repay them, scholarships are a smart way to help reduce your education costs.
Another option to potentially help with student debt is to refinance your student loans. With refinancing, you replace your existing loans with a new loan with a private lender. You may be able to get a lower interest rate and better terms if you qualify for them. Just keep in mind that when you refinance federal student loans, you lose access to federal programs and protections like deferment and income-driven repayment.
Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.
FAQ
How can I find LGBTQ+ friendly colleges?
One way to find LGBTQ+-friendly colleges is to use an online tool like the Campus Pride Index. It allows you to search a database of hundreds of colleges and universities across the U.S. that have worked to improve the academic experience and campus life for LGBTQ+ students. You can search for LBGTQ+-friendly colleges by region, state, and institution type.
What documents are required for LGBTQ+ scholarships?
Each LGBTQ+ scholarship has specific requirements. You may be asked to demonstrate financial need, send in school transcripts, and submit letters of recommendation, for instance. Read over each scholarship’s requirements and gather together all the materials you need before you apply.
How do LGBTQ+ guidelines differ from academic scholarships?
Some LGBTQ+ scholarships may be non-academic, which means you aren’t required to have a certain GPA to qualify. Other LGBTQ+ scholarships may have an academic component you’ll need to meet. Each scholarship for LGBTQ+ students is different. Review the requirements carefully so you understand exactly what’s needed for every scholarship you apply for.
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