Scholarships / Education
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Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students are sometimes embraced by their families from the moment they come out as sexual minorities. Many parents and guardians however, react initially with shock, disappointment or anger. Some recover from their initial responses and build an even closer relationship with their teen than ever. Sadly, other times, teens are denied long-promised support for their higher education or even banished from their homes to live through the kindness of friends or on the streets. A growing number of organizations want to provide financial support for college bound students, whether they have been thrown away by parents or they just need extra help to complete their education.

NOTE: Many of these scholarships and grants are for youth involved in social activism, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Some are also for students with GLBT parents, again regardless of the student's orientation or identity.

 

Scholarships  Also see (below on this page): Scholarships specifically in and for Washington State and the Pacific Northwest Region 

Directories

2009 Idaho LGBT Scholarship Directory - produced by Bisexuals, Gays, Lesbians, and Allies for Diversity at Boise State University and The LGBT Scholarship Association of Idaho. The directory includes over 250 scholarships, internships, grants, and awards available specifically to LGBT students and students who are the children of LGBT individuals. Thanks to Woody Howard for making this available to Idaho students! If you would like printed copies of the scholarship directory, please contact Woody at info@lgbtsa.org

Financial Aid for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Students

 

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Scholarship Resources

The Minnesota GLBT Educational Fund - scholarships for GLBT students and students with GLBT parents in US and Canada.  

Specific Foundations  top of page

The American Anthropological Association - Society of Lesbian and Gay Anthropologists (SOLGA) - offers the Ruth Benedict Prize for outstanding anthropological scholarship on a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered topic; and the Kenneth W. Payne Student Prize for students and scholars of LGBT topics and issues in anthropology.

Astraea Lesbian Foundation For Justice - General Grants, International Fund for Sexual Minorities, Margot Karle Scholarship Fund, Lesbian Writers Fund, Lesbian Visual Arts Fund, International Panel Grants, Social Change Opportunity Fund, International Interim/Emergency Fund, International Collaborative & Philanthropic Grants, International Donor Advised Grants.

AT&T's League Foundation - $1,500-$2,500 scholarships for college-bound GLBT students with GPA's of at least 3.0 and a history of community service. Phone: 703-713-7820; Email: LEAGUE@att.com.

Audre Lorde Scholarship Fund from Zami - award of ten or more scholarships of $1000 each annually to out lesbians and gay men of African descent who are making significant contributions to their communities. ZAMI wants to support and encourage their continuing education by providing scholarships to those women and men enrolled in accredited technical, undergraduate and graduate programs. Requires a 2.5 grade-point average. Phone: 404-370-0911; Email: zami@zami.org.

The Colin Higgins Courage Awards and Grants - grants individuals who are either a) LGBTQ or questioning youth who have "bravely stood up to hostility and intolerance" based on their sexual orientation and triumphed over bigotry; b) LGBTQ adults who have made strong impact in the lives of LGBTQQ youth or the overall LGBTQ movement; or c) allies of any age working to end homophobia and discrimination. The Foundation has also established two scholarship programs in memory of Colin Higgins at The Stanford University Department of English, and The UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. These scholarships support graduate students and filmmakers whose work enlightens and enriches the human spirit. The universities, and not the Colin Higgins Foundation, administer these scholarship programs.  Phone: 415-561-6323; Email: info@colinhiggins.org.

The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund - Need-based grants to student activists who are able to do academic work at the college level and are involved in building the movement for social and economic justice. US citizenship is not a requirement but there is a strong preference for grantees who are building the progressive movement in the United States. Up to $6,000. Davis-Putter Fund, 25 Main St, Belleville NJ 07109; Email: davisputter@hotmail.com.

Fund for Lesbian and Gay Scholarships (FLAGS) - provides financial assistance to gay, lesbian and bisexual students involved in the community. The scholarship amount varies and depends on financial need. The deadline is mid-September for the current school year. The fund's Youth Project Scholarship Program also awards grants to tenth and eleventh graders who plan to pursue postsecondary education. The scholarship is awarded based on financial need, academic achievement and school or community involvement. The scholarship amount varies. The deadline is mid-January. For more information about either of these programs or an application, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Whitman-Brooks The Scholarship Fund PO Box 48320 Los Angeles, CA 90048-0320 Phone: 1-213-650-5752

The International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE) - Numerous scholarships to transgender identified students in the helping and caring professions in the United States and Canada through IFGE's collaborative Transgender Scholarship and Education Legacy Fund (TSELF). International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE) TSELF Awards Committee, P.O. Box 540229; Waltham, MA 02454-0229; Phone: 781-899-2212; Email: carrie@tself.org.

Lee Dubin Scholarship Fund - sponsored by COLAGE with support from the Horizons Foundation Joseph Towner Fund, will be awarding scholarships to daughters and sons of LGBTQ parents through their collaborative Lee Dubin Scholarship Fund. Each scholarship will provide up to $1000 of funding for postsecondary students who have a demonstrated ability in and commitment to affecting change in the LGBTQ community. They especially encourage students working to combat homophobia and increase positive awareness of lgbtq families to apply, and also strongly encourage individuals with demonstrated financial need to apply. COLAGE Scholarship Committee 1550 Bryant St. Suite 830, San Francisco, CA 94103. Phone: 415-861-KIDS (5437); Email: scholarship@colage.or 

The Malyon-Smith Scholarship - an annual fund awarding up to $1000 to selected graduate students in psychology to advance research in the psychology of sexual orientation and gender identity. Applicants must be currently enrolled full-time in a Department of Psychology at the graduate level. Applications from students in allied disciplines, such as social work and sociology, cannot be considered at this time. For answers to questions about applications and to submit a completed application: Dawn M. Szymanski, Ph.D.; Division of Counseling, 469 Marillac University of Missouri-St. Louis; 8001 Natural Bridge Rd.; St. Louis, MO 63121-4499; Phone: 314-516-6086; Email: dawnszymanski@msn.com.  

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Messenger-Anderson Journalism Scholarship and Internship Program - Scholarships open to high school seniors and undergraduate students who intend to or are pursuing a degree in journalism or communications at an accredited four-year college or university. Students attending a university that does not offer a journalism degree are nonetheless eligible to apply if they plan to pursue a career in journalism or communications advocacy. The scholarship award is $5,000 in the first year, renewable at up to $2,500 per year up to a maximum of $10,000, should the student still qualify. All students who receive a scholarship award must also participate in the Task Force Messenger-Anderson Internship program at one of the Task Force offices in Cambridge, Washington, DC, Los Angeles or New York City.

The National Gay Pilots Association Education Fund - offers scholarships to members of the gay and lesbian community who have expressed an interest in an aviation career as a professional pilot. The applicant should provide evidence of his or her contribution to the gay and lesbian community. $2,000. NGPA, 5530 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1210, Chevy Chase, MD 20815-4301; Phone: 301-941-1066; Email: ngpa@ngpa.org.    

PFLAG's (Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) National Scholarship Program - awards $5000 scholarships, $2500 scholarships, and $1000 scholarships. To be eligible: you are a graduating senior entering higher education for the first time (if you graduated and took a year off you are still eligible to apply); you self identify as a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) or an ally; you demonstrate an interest in service to the GLBT community; and you have applied to an accredited higher education institution. NOTE: Some local PFLAG chapters also offer scholarships and may have different qualifications: Local PFLAG Scholarships.

The Point Foundation - College Scholarships for LGBT Students covering up to all student expenses including tuition, books, room and board and living expenses. You do not need straight A's to apply but they are looking for individuals that have proven leadership, scholastic achievements and want to make a difference in the world. All applicants are evaluated on the totality of their situation including, financial, emotional and social need, extracurricular activities, personal circumstances and goals for the future. Phone: 866-33-POINT; Email: info@thepointfoundation.org; Fax: 866-39-POINT; mail: PO BOX 261111, Lakewood, CO 80228.

The Queer Foundation's Effective Writing and Scholarships Program - dedicated to improve the lives of queer youth; raising funds to provide financial and administrative support by offering $1000 scholarships to talented and gifted writers. The scholarships are open to anyone anywhere who hasn't yet graduated from high school and expects to attend college or university in the U.S.. Winners of the annual essay contest promote queer studies to improve the lives of queer youth.. Collected, the essays form queer-the-curriculum materials for use in high schools to benefit all LGBTQ students. Contact person: Executive Director Joseph Dial, Ph.D.; Address: 3213 W Wheeler St., #145; Seattle, WA 98199; Phone: 206-999-8740; Email: queerfoundation@queerfoundation.org.   

Scholarships specifically in and for Washington State and the Pacific Northwest Region top of page

Audria M. Edwards Youth Scholarship Fund - available to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and/or the children of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender persons who reside in Oregon or Southwest Washington. Contact: AME Scholarship Fund, PO Box 11773, Portland, OR 97211. 

The Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) Scholarships - GSBA awards educational scholarships to undergraduate LGBTQ and Allied students who are committed to making a difference in the world. Scholarships range from $3,000 to $10,000 and are meant to provide significant support to students as they pursue their educational goals. Open to current residents of Washington State who are applying to, or enrolled in, an undergraduate program. (The Pride Foundation collaborates on these awards with GSBA.)  

The Pride Foundation, Greater Seattle Business Association and the Inland Northwest Business Alliance - scholarships of up to $10,000 for residents of the Pacific Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR and WA). Phone: 206-323-3318; Web site: . Pride Foundation coordinates many separate scholarship funds, and the list grows frequently, so check their web site. The scholarships they manage are, in general, for …

  • residents of Alaska, Idaho , Montana , Oregon and Washington

  • who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and/or  

  • allied or questioning students

  • who were raised by gay or lesbian parents and/or  

  • who demonstrate an ability to promote leadership in the sexual minority community  

Scholarships include some specifically for …

  • Seattle-area gay men of color

  • Latino/Latina youth, especially those involved in athletics

  • students of health sciences; interior, fashion or graphic arts; design; or performing arts

  • current or former TRIO students from a NASP member program 

The Pride of the Rose Scholarship Fund - provides financial assistance for post-secondary education to members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities and their children residing in the Quad-county area of Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA.

The Queer Foundation's Effective Writing and Scholarships Program - dedicated to improve the lives of queer youth; raising funds to provide financial and administrative support by offering $1000 scholarships to talented and gifted writers. The scholarships are open to anyone anywhere who hasn't yet graduated from high school and expects to attend college or university in the U.S.. Winners of the annual essay contest promote queer studies to improve the lives of queer youth.. Collected, the essays form queer-the-curriculum materials for use in high schools to benefit all LGBTQ students. Contact person: Executive Director Joseph Dial, Ph.D.; Address: 3213 W Wheeler St., #145; Seattle, WA 98199; Phone: 206-999-8740; Email: queerfoundation@queerfoundation.org.

University of Puget Sound LGBT Leadership Scholarship - $1,000 a year for currently enrolled UPS students.  Scholarship was endowed by alumni, faculty, and staff. To contribute to the fund, contact Liz Collins. Phone: 253-879-3610; Email: cwise@ups.edu. To apply for the scholarship, contact the UPS Financial Aid Scholarships office in Tacoma. Phone: 253-879-3214.

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