LGBTQ resource centers are popping up on college campuses and within college towns all over the United States. Even in areas that may lack legal protections for LGBTQ students, many academic institutions are providing welcome space and offering LGBTQ-specific scholarships to encourage applicants from all backgrounds and identities and create a rich tapestry of college life.
There are also regional scholarships for LGBTQ students and various organization, foundation and community funds that students in the spectrum can apply to for aid. In this overview of LGBTQ scholarship opportunities, discover community connections that can support you through your academic career and beyond!
Scholarships and Financial Aid for LGBTQ Students
There are many colleges who want to cultivate a diverse student body by providing scholarships for LGBTQ students, as well as LGBTQ professional, regional and leadership organizations that fund LGBTQ students working toward their educational and career goals. Take a look at the following scholarship offers designed for applicants who proudly express their unique experiences in the LGBTQ community.
Regional / State Specific
Amount: unspecified
Due Date: Mid-April
These educational grants are offered to LGBT students. This particular fund is designated for students in Austin, Texas however students should check for their local NGLCC chapter for scholarship opportunities close to home.
Specific Requirements: Open to students in the LGBTQ community in Austin, Texas.
Recognizing the financial aid need for LGBTQ students whose parents have cut off support, SELF funds are granted to help pay for education for students who became estranged from their parents after coming out.
Specific Requirements: Open to students in the LGBTQ community in Middle Tennessee and parts of Kentucky.
GSBA’s educational scholarships are granted to LGBTQ and straight-ally students who are advocates for making a difference in the world. The awards renew annually for each year of a student’s undergraduate education.
Specific Requirements: Applicants must be residents of Washington, although through a partnership with the Pride Foundation, students from Alaska, Idaho, Montana and Oregon are also encouraged to apply.
A state-wide LGBTQ scholarship organization, the MCS gives three awards: the Missouri Courage Award for students working to advance LGBTQ and social justice, the Trans Courage Award for students who identify as transgender and the Rural Courage Award for students in rural areas of the state.
Specific Requirements: Open to LGBTQ college-bound seniors from Missouri, and those who work to positively impact the lives of any other marginalized group, such as people of color, religious minorities, women, immigrants and people with disabilities.
Open to LGBTQ students who demonstrate leadership potential, the Tom Markowski and Jim Leach scholarship fund was created to help further educational endeavors of applicants.
Specific Requirements: Applicants must be accepted into San Francisco State University, Stanford University, University of California at Berkeley, University of California San Francisco or the University of California Hastings College of the Law to apply.
Providing up to three annual awards for LGBTQ students or allies living or attending a college in Eastern Kentucky, the Morehead Pride Scholarship is designed to help offset the cost of college tuition, housing and books.
Specific Requirements: Open to students in high school or college that serve as positive role models in the local LGBTQ community.
Self-identified members of the LGBTQ community and straight allies can apply for scholarships through their local PFLAG chapters, which are located in major cities across 20 states.
Specific Requirements: Open to students in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Washington.
Through the Pride Foundation’s common application for scholarships, this fund supports LGBTQ students and allies in the Northwest United States. Their Scholarship List includes opportunities for LGBTQ students related to the following:
Arts and Humanities
Business, Law and Political Science
Health and Wellness
Science and Technology
Social Work
Community and Leadership
Cultural Identity
Area of Residency
Specific Requirements: Applicants must reside in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon or Washington; they do not need to attend college in these states. Some additional regional or city preferences may be assigned by scholarship, please follow the links above for details.
LGBTQI students who are immigrants that do not hold a visa or green card and are not U.S. citizens, such as refugees or asylum seekers, can receive monies for their education through this scholarship program.
Specific Requirements: Must be enrolled in an accredited non-profit school in New York City. Students must be at least sophomores with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher to be eligible.
This program gives out four awards per year, specifically for LGBTQ students pursuing film, theatre, dance or music degrees. This scholarship also comes with a year-long mentorship opportunity.
Specific Requirements: Applicants must be accepted by or currently enrolled at an accredited four-year college or university and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Amount: $1,000 and $2,000 awards available Due Date: May to June
This scholarship is open to LGBTQ students who are interested in pursuing degrees in the arts. All scholarship information is posted on the group’s social media pages during the live application period.
Specific Requirements: Open to students 16 to 25 years old in California, Chicago and New York City.
LGBTQ students and allies majoring in business are eligible for this scholarship. Applicants must be in their junior or senior year of undergrad with a 3.5 GPA and submit an essay on their demonstrated service to the LGBT community.
Specific Requirements: Open to students attending college in Virginia.
LGBTQ college sophomores and juniors are encouraged to apply for this combination scholarship and internship program with Morgan Stanley, which students of all majors are encouraged to apply for.
Specific Requirements: The internship portion of this award takes place at the company’s Baltimore, Maryland office.
LGBTQ and allied students participating in the Reaching Out LGBTQ MBA Fellowship Program will receive scholarship funds, mentoring and leadership opportunities as they pursue a master’s degree in business.
Specific Requirements: Student must be attending one of the 40 participating colleges and universities.
The Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association provides a scholarship for a single student who demonstrates a commitment to and involvement in the LGBTQ community. Search for your state’s LGBTQ Bar Association here.
Specific Requirements: Must be a law student in Massachusetts.
The LGBT Bar Association of Los Angeles offers a scholarship to locally enrolled law students with financial need who are either LGBTQ or have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the promotion of the LGBTQ community’s civil rights.
Specific Requirements: Must be a law student in the Los Angeles area to apply.
For law students enrolled in an ABA-accredited program who have taken at least one course on Franchise Law. LGBTQ students and members of minority groups are encouraged to apply.
Specific Requirements: Students must have 2L or 3L status while receiving scholarship monies.
This scholarship provides funding for LGBTQ people enrolled in a basic law enforcement program, which can include police or sheriff’s academy, corrections academy or 911 dispatcher certification.
Specific Requirements: Applicants can be self-sponsored students and financial need is not a required consideration.
Open to both LGBTQ and minority or multiracial students interested in pursuing careers in advertising and media, which could include new media, digital advertising or advertising data science.
Specific Requirements: Applicants must be a junior or senior undergraduate or actively enrolling in graduate school with a GPA of 3.25 or higher.
This scholarship through the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association provides tuition assistance to LGBTQ students of color pursuing a journalism career to promote fair and accurate media coverage for LGBTQ people.
Specific Requirements: Open to both undergrad and graduate students at both community or four-year colleges.
This scholarship provides tuition assistance to LGBTQ students who intend to pursue journalism as a career and provide fair and accurate coverage for LGBTQ people, in accordance with the mission of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association.
Specific Requirements: Open to students at both community colleges and four-year institutions.
This scholarship through the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force awards funds to LGBTQ undergraduate students pursuing a career in journalism at an accredited 4-year university.
Specific Requirements: Scholarship details are reserved for members of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
Supporting self-identified LGBTQ community members enrolled in a teaching or counseling degree or graduate program, the California Teachers Association (CTA) aims to increase the number of LGBTQ educators in public schools to act as role models and promote respect for all.
Specific Requirements: Open to public school students nominated by a member of the CTA or current CTA members.
Given by the Association for Queer Anthropology (AQA) to a graduate or undergraduate student who has done outstanding anthropological work on an LGBTQ topic.
Specific Requirements: Open to all students dedicated to contributing to and advancing queer studies and our understanding of sexuality worldwide.
An award from the Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues designed to mentoring and support the science of LGBTQ psychology.
Specific Requirements: Any graduate student conducting research on LGBTQ psychology, sexual orientation and gender identity is encouraged to apply.
This scholarship provides students pursuing STEM degrees from underrepresented groups, including the LGBTQ community, funding for higher education.
Specific Requirements: Candidates must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be actively working towards a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics.
Specifically designated for gender nonconforming and queer women who are pursing degrees in coding, this scholarship is a partnership between Make School’s Summer Academy, Dev Bootcamp, Thinkful and Hack Reactor.
Specific Requirements: Students submit information about the coding program and school they want to attend as part of the application process.
Current pilots who have earned at least a private and instrument pilot certificate and who are active in the LGBTQ community are eligible for three scholarships through the National Gay Pilots Association to further their careers in the aviation field.
Specific Requirements: Students must be enrolled in an accredited 4-year college or university in the United States.
The National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals provides scholarships for LGBTQ students or active allies pursuing degrees in STEM programs.
Specific Requirements: Students must have completed at least 2 years of study in a STEM program at an accredited college or university while maintaining a 3.0 GPA.
Leadership/Community
Amount: $2,000 Due Date: Late December
This community scholarship specifically awards out black lesbian women who are 40 years of age or older and going to college. Applicants should be active within their local LGBTQ community.
Specific Requirements: Must be registered as full- or part-time students at a technical, undergraduate or graduate school and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
The Asian Pacific Islander Queer Women and Transgender Community scholarship funds queer API women and transgender people in their pursuit of technical/professional training or higher education.
Specific Requirements: Asian Pacific Islander queer and transgender women who are high school seniors or current college students and are active members of the API community are encouraged to apply.
Two awards are given by the American Atheists organization each year, highlighting LGBTQ student activists who fight to maintain religious freedom and advocate for Atheism.
Specific Requirements: Applicants do not have to be members of the organization when they apply, but membership is required to accept a scholarship.
LGBTQ and questioning youth activists who are under 20 years old are eligible for this scholarship through the Colin Higgins Foundation. Applicants must be nominated, and can be nominated multiple times.
Specific Requirements: Applicants also receive a trip to the National Conference on LGBT Equality
Gamma Mu offers one scholarships to gay men for college, university or vocational or professional training programs. Their Folisi & Goodwin Scholarship in Memory of Ray Williams, which provides funds to a student from the broader LGBTQ community.
Specific Requirements: Scholarship funds can only be used for on-campus (not online) education programs, and are reserved for full-time students only.
A scholarship designed for individuals from groups that are underrepresented in study abroad programs, including LGBTQ students. A variety of different scholarships are offered, and applicants are automatically considered for all.
Specific Requirements: Scholarship are selected based on financial need.
Openly LGBTQ students with a 3.0 GPA and proven community service are eligible for scholarships through the LEAGUE Foundation. Applicants who have worked with and held leadership roles in the LGBTQ community receive special attention. Awards include the Laurel Hester Memorial Scholarship, Matthew Shepard Memorial Scholarship, Stonewall Empowerment Scholarship and LEAGUE Foundation Scholarship.
Specific Requirements: Students must be currently attending a college, university or vocational school in the United States or Canada to participate.
Amount: $1,000 to $1,500 annually Due Date: June 30
This scholarship is available to an honor student with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who is at least 17 years old and has acted to support or advance the rights of the LGBTQ community.
Specific Requirements: Applicants must be accepted into or attending an accredited university full-time.
Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) offers scholarships to LGBTQ students and allies who are graduating seniors. PFLAG chapters across the United States also offer local scholarships.
Specific Requirements: Scholarships are open to both U.S. citizens and international students attending an accredited college or university in the United States.
Point Foundation awards scholarships to 72 Point Scholars and 25 Community College Scholars based on academics, leadership, financial need, personal goals and LGBTQ community involvement.
Specific Requirements: Preference is given to students who have lost family and/or community support due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Through the Stonewall Community Foundation, this scholarship provides tuition assistance to LGBTQ women. Applicants should demonstrate strong academic achievement, community service, leadership and a commitment to making an impact advocating for LGBTQ issues.
Specific Requirements: Students who are be graduating high school or currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate school are eligible to apply.
Many schools offer institution-specific funding opportunities specifically for their LGBTQ students. Some are degree based, such as the University of San Francisco’s Social Justice Scholars program for LGBTQ School Counseling majors and the Cornell University’s Anna and Hyman Greenberg Scholarship for LGBTQ students pursuing Veterinary Medicine. But there are others not degree-specific open to the LGBTQ+ community on campus so be sure to check whats available on your campus.
My Family Doesn’t Know That I Want to Apply for LGBTQ Scholarships
There are many resources that promote diversity in schools by funding LGBTQ students, but what if a student has not come out to their family? If you want to apply for LGBTQ-specific scholarships and financial aid without letting your family know, here are a few ideas and example scholarships to maintain your confidentiality while still receiving the funds you need to attend your ideal college.
Consider scholarships that are aimed at LGBTQ allies as well as LGBTQ students.
Scholarship like this NMU ALLIES Scholarship through Northern Michigan University is available to full-time students who have documented leadership or involvement in organizations, activities or issues that promote awareness and acceptance of the NMU LGBTQ community. Recipients do not have to identify as LGBTQ to receive the scholarship.
Apply for LGBTQ scholarships that will keep your information private if you receive the scholarship.
Students residing in northern or central California who have demonstrated service to the LGBTQ community are eligible for the eQuality Scholarships, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. This scholarship also protects the identity of any recipient who does not want to appear publicly on their website.
Look for LGBTQ scholarships that do not require letters of recommendation.
Scholarship like the Hampton Roads Pride Business Scholarship is for LGBTQ students and allies attending college in Virginia and only requires an essay and official transcripts. Students do not need to request recommendation letters from members of their community.
Exercise your right to educational privacy under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
The FERPA Protections is a federal law protects the privacy of student educational records, including financial aid and scholarship information. Once a student turns 18 years old, parents do not have access to these records unless the student grants permission.
“Should I Say I’m Out When Applying for Scholarships?” and other FAQs
As LGBTQ students navigate the college process—from filling out applications to seeking financial aid to experiencing campus life—there are many questions that can come up surrounding identity, privacy, safety and family. The questions below are some of the most frequently asked by LGBTQ students as they apply for college and scholarships. Take a look to get answers and tips to help navigate the process.
Should I say I’m out in my application or essay?
TLDR:optional
Disclosing your personal identity is always a choice, and universities who ask about sexual orientation and gender identity will present these questions as optional. Many scholarships directed at LGBTQ students also allow allies of LGBTQ causes to apply, which removes the pressure to be out if a student is not comfortable disclosing their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
What do I put in the “Gender/Sex” category on my application?
TLDR: whatever you are comfortable disclosing
The “Common Application” only offers two gender identities for students to choose from— ‘male’ or ‘female’ —but some colleges may include more inclusive identity questions in their supplemental materials. Answers to these questions are required to be kept confidential. Some colleges may permit students to change their pronouns and gender identities on campus records during their academic careers if those identities change over time, or allow students to use a first name different from their legal name in class or on certain records. A student accepted into college can contact their professors ahead of time to clarify the correct pronouns to use in class.
When I came out, my parents disowned me. Can I apply for financial aid as an independent?
TLDR: yes and no
Young adults are legally considered “dependents” of their families until they turn 24, and it can be difficult to go through the process of emancipation. Instead, disowned LGBTQ students can indicate on their FAFSAs that they are “homeless” or “at risk of homelessness” and request to change their status to “independent.”
Can colleges or scholarship organizations discriminate against me because I’m LGBTQ?
TLDR: yes
If a college is exempt from Title IX, which prevents admission discrimination based on sex, it may disallow LGBTQ students from attending. Colleges that can apply for exemption include privately-funded, religious institutions. If the college receives any financial assistance from the federal government, all other programs and activities of that college must adhere to Title IX and allow LGBTQ students to participate, and any scholarships that the college offers cannot restrict LGBTQ students from applying. Federal scholarships such as the Pell grant do not discriminate against LGBTQ students, but private scholarship foundations and organizations may choose not to award funds to LGBTQ students.
I am the child of a same-sex couple, what kind of financial aid benefits can I receive?
TLDR: private scholarships
Some organizations offer scholarships for students who are LGBTQ or have parents in the LGBTQ community. The Audria M. Edwards Scholarship Fund and the Joseph Towner Fund for Gay and Lesbian Families are two examples, and the organization COLAGE is a potential resource for connecting students who have LGBTQ parents with mentors to help guide them through the process of applying for scholarships.
Where should I look on campus for LGBTQ community resources?
TLDR: college-sanctioned or student-run organizations
Many colleges have a diversity center or an office of student diversity that can provide resources for LGBTQ students. There may also be LGBTQ resource centers, a gender center, a pride center or student-run organizations that bring LGBTQ students together and build community. These organizations will be advertised on the college’s website.
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