College Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students
If you’re an LGBTQ+ student looking for help paying for college, there are several scholarships designed to support members of the community.
These awards may be based on financial need, academic achievement, community involvement, field of study, or other factors. Many are offered by private organizations and foundations, and some private colleges also provide LGBTQ+-specific scholarships.
Below, you’ll find LGBTQ+ scholarships, including eligibility requirements, award amounts, and application details. Some scholarships may be closed for the current application cycle but reopen annually on a similar schedule.
General LGBTQ+ Scholarships
These scholarships are open to LGBTQ+ students, allies, and, in some cases, students with LGBTQ+ parents. While some opportunities are limited to specific states or regions, others are available to students nationwide.
Point Foundation Flagship Scholarship
- Who’s Eligible: LGBTQ+ students who are high school seniors or older and plan to pursue, or are currently pursuing, a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree at a four-year institution.
- Award Amount: Varies based on financial need and may be renewable for up to four years.
- Deadline: Opens Sept. 10; closes Nov. 20
Point Foundation Community College Scholarship
- Who’s Eligible: LGBTQ+ students and allies enrolled in, or planning to enroll in, a community college at least half-time with the intention of transferring to a four-year institution.
- Award Amount: $4,800
- Deadline: Opens Jan. 28; closes April 9
Point Foundation Access Scholarship
- Who’s Eligible: Students who demonstrate a commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and are first-generation college students and/or come from under-resourced households.
- Award Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: Opens Jan. 28; closes March 12
Pride Foundation Scholarships
- Who’s Eligible: LGBTQ+ students and allies from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington pursuing any form of postsecondary education. Applicants can apply for multiple Pride Foundation scholarships through a single application. U.S. citizenship is not required.
- Award Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Opens Oct. 11; closes Jan. 9
National Rainbow College Fund Scholarship
- Who’s Eligible: California LGBTQ+ students who are high school seniors or older and plan to enroll in at least six credit hours at a four-year college, community college, or trade/vocational school. The scholarship is awarded to 200 students each year.
- Award Amount: $2,500
- Deadline: March annually
League Foundation Scholarships
- Who’s Eligible: LGBTQ+ high school seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA who have been accepted to an accredited U.S. college or university. Applicants must demonstrate community service involvement and submit two personal essays.
- Award Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Opens in January; closes in April
Markowski-Leach Scholarships
- Who’s Eligible: LGBTQ+ students with a minimum 2.5 GPA who are enrolled in a degree or teaching credential program at San Francisco State University, Stanford University, the University of California, Berkeley, UC College of the Law, San Francisco, the University of California, San Francisco, the University of San Francisco, the California Institute of Integral Studies, or the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
- Award Amount: $2,500 annually
- Deadline: Opens January; closes March 31
Acorn Equality Fund Scholarships
- Who’s Eligible: LGBTQ+ students and allies from downstate Illinois who attend a U.S. postsecondary institution. Eligible applicants must reside in a county outside of Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties.
- Award Amount: $1,000-$4,000
- Deadline: Opens May; closes September annually
Audria M. Edwards Scholarship Fund
- Who’s Eligible: LGBTQIA+ students and students with an LGBTQIA+ parent who reside in Oregon or the Washington counties of Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania, or Wahkiakum. Applicants must be pursuing a professional certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree.
- Award Amount: Up to $5,000
- Deadline: April annually
The Aritzia x Stonewall Scholarship
- Who’s Eligible: LGBTQ+ students who identify as women and are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program. Applicants must be studying, or planning to pursue a career in, business, fashion design, retail management, or social justice advocacy.
- Award Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: May 22
Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship
- Who’s Eligible: Students who identify as lesbian and plan to attend college as an undergraduate or graduate student.
- Award Amount: $4,000
- Deadline: May 22
PFund Scholarship
- Who’s Eligible: LGBTQ+ students who are from, or currently attend school in, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, or a Native Nation. Applicants must be 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 Amount: $1,000-$12,000
- Deadline: March annually
Discipline-Specific LGBTQ+ Scholarships
These scholarships are intended for LGBTQ+ students pursuing a specific major or career field. In addition to LGBTQ+ identity requirements, applicants may need to meet academic, merit-based, or industry-specific criteria.
Out to Innovate Scholarships
- Who’s Eligible: LGBTQ+ students and allies pursuing careers in STEM. Applicants must be undergraduate students who have completed at least two years of college and have a minimum 2.75 GPA.
- Award Amount: Varies
- Deadline: June 30
Leroy F. Aarons Scholarship Award
- Who’s Eligible: Current and incoming LGBTQ+ undergraduate and graduate students pursuing journalism at a community college or four-year institution. Applicants must be members in good standing of NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists. They should also demonstrate a commitment to journalism, fair and accurate news coverage, and awareness of issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. Graduate applicants must be enrolled in a journalism program.
- Award Amount: Up to $5,000
- Deadline: May 15
Kay Longcope Scholarship Award
- Who’s Eligible: LGBTQ+ students of color pursuing a career in journalism at a community college or four-year institution. Undergraduate and graduate students may apply, though graduate applicants must be enrolled in a journalism program. All applicants must be members in good standing of NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists.
- Award Amount: Up to $3,000
- Deadline: May 15
Reaching Out LGBTQ+ MBA Fellowship
- Who’s Eligible: MBA students attending participating business schools. Fellows are selected by their schools and are expected to serve as LGBTQ+ ambassadors and leaders within their campus communities. Interested students can indicate their interest through the Reaching Out website and select the schools they plan to attend.
- Award Amount: Minimum of $20,000
- Deadline: No application deadline; participating schools select recipients.
The National Gay Pilots Association Education Fund
- Who’s Eligible: Full-time juniors, seniors, and graduate students enrolled in an accredited aviation or aeronautical science program. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, an FAA Instrument Rating, and private and instrument pilot certificates.
- Award Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Opens June 1; closes July 31
How to Find LGBTQ+ Scholarships
In addition to the scholarships listed above, LGBTQ+ students can find funding opportunities through community foundations, advocacy organizations, professional associations, and college financial aid offices.
Start by searching scholarship databases from organizations such as Human Rights Campaign and Campus Pride. These can help you find scholarships based on your location, educational goals, and background.
Next, contact your high school guidance counselor or college financial aid office, or campus LGBTQ+ resource center to ask about scholarships that may not appear in national databases. They may be able to point you toward local scholarships that don’t appear in national databases.
Tips for Applying for LGBTQ+ Scholarships
Applying for scholarships takes time, but a little preparation can make the process easier. Here are a few ways to stay organized and strengthen your applications:
- Create a list of scholarships you’re eligible for and track their requirements and deadlines in a spreadsheet or calendar.
- Gather commonly requested documents — such as recommendation letters, transcripts, and proof of enrollment — ahead of time so you can spend more time focusing on actually completing applications.
- Take the time to tailor each application to the specific scholarship. If an essay is required, explain how your experiences, goals, and involvement in the LGBTQ+ community align with the organization’s mission.
- Apply for multiple scholarships, including smaller awards. Even modest amounts can add up and help reduce your college costs.
- Before you hit submit, double-check your application to make sure you’ve met all requirements and included all necessary materials.
Frequently Asked Questions About College Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students
In addition to the scholarships listed above, students can search scholarship databases from organizations such as Campus Pride and the Human Rights Campaign. High school guidance counselors, college financial aid offices, and campus LGBTQ+ resource centers can also help you identify local opportunities.
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