Scholarships for Transgender and Nonbinary Students

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- Transgender and nonbinary students face financial hardships for many reasons.
- Scholarships and grants are available for transgender and nonbinary students.
- There are other financial resources that transgender and nonbinary students can utilize.
Transgender and nonbinary students often face financial hardships like a lack of family support and high costs for gender-affirming medical care. However, scholarships and grants are available to help transgender or nonbinary students pay for school.
Finding scholarships and grants can be difficult, so BestColleges compiled the list below to save you some time.
Nonbinary and Transgender Students' Unique Financial Challenges
A study by Ohio State University found that transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming students face greater financial challenges than their cisgender peers. They often experience increased financial strain because of employment and housing discrimination. They also may experience less support from family members and high medical costs from medications and gender-affirming surgeries.
It's typically harder for those who identify as transgender or nonbinary to get student loans. Considerations like genders and chosen names make the process harder. That's why scholarships and grants are a great financial aid option for transgender and nonbinary students.
Featured Transgender and Nonbinary Scholarships and Grants
The #TransgenderFirst College Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Transgender or nonbinary students planning on or currently pursuing a college degree. Applicants must tell their stories.
Trans Student Educational Resources Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Students who identify as trans, gender diverse, nonbinary, Hijra, two-spirit, and/or within the trans community are eligible to apply. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited, non-profit university or community college and have financial need.
PFLAG Chapter Scholarships
Who Is Eligible: LQBTQ+ students are eligible. Specific criteria and award amounts depend on the state chapter.
Asian and Pacific Islander Queer Women and Transgender Community Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Asian and Pacific Islander lesbian, queer, or bisexual women and transgender individuals pursuing technical education.
Casey Hoke Gender Equity Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Current students with GPAs of 2.0 or higher who have made a positive change on campus for trans-spectrum students.
Out to Innovate Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Students must be LGBTQ+ STEM majors with GPAs of 2.75 or higher. The student must also be active in the LGBTQ+ community.
Point Foundation Scholarships
Who Is Eligible: Varies by scholarship. Applicants submit one application to be matched with a scholarship based on their academics, interests, and financial need.
New York Ramblers Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: LGBTQI students or committed allies who are student-athletes between ages 15-22. You also must plan to attend an undergraduate program.
2022 Trans/Nonbinary Law Graduates of Color Grant Fund
Who Is Eligible: Transgender or nonbinary persons of color who graduated law school in 2022. You also must be registered to take the Bar exam in the summer of 2022.
Aritzia
Who Is Eligible: Students must identify as LGBTQIA or two-spirit. Applicants must study or plan to work in fashion design, retail management, mental health, or social justice advocacy.
Datadog Upward Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Applicants must be female, nonbinary, Black, or Latinx and a U.S. high school senior majoring in the tech industry.