Scholarships are created by companies, organizations, individuals, and foundations to create an impact in an area that typically aligns with their mission or philosophy. Many companies are creating opportunities to encourage inclusion and diversity by adding specific criteria to their scholarship requirements and policies. The criteria often spotlight opportunities for students who belong to specific groups of scholarship seekers. One of those groups are students who are members of the LGBTQ+ community. This expansion of opportunities is exciting for LGBTQ+ scholarship seekers as well as their allies.
Scholarship opportunities for LGBTQ+ students
The following are some examples of scholarships that have been created by companies and organizations for individuals who identify as LGBTQ.
1. Creative Black Womxn to Watch Scholarship
The Creative Black Womxn to Watch Scholarship from WONGDOODY is open to Black female or womxn students, which includes cisgender, transgender, nonbinary, queer, genderqueer, genderfluid, and transitioning Black women. Students must be currently enrolled at a US college or university and have completed at least their sophomore year of undergraduate studies or their first year of portfolio or graduate school. Students must also be pursuing a creative-focused career in design, marketing, or advertising to win the award of $5,000. The deadline is November 13.
2. Out To Protect Scholarship
The Out To Protect Scholarship is for students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender and are currently enrolled in a law enforcement program. The award is for $1,000 and the deadline is November 26, with the winner being announced in December of the same year.
Related: Scholarship Search Spreadsheet Template
3. PeproTech Diversity in Sciences Scholarship
The PeproTech Diversity in Sciences Scholarship is open to high school seniors and full-time undergraduate students who identify within a minority. Minority categories include but are not limited to LGBTQIA+, African-American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, or Native American candidates. Any applicant who identifies as a minority must also be planning to pursue a career in a scientific field and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. The award is $40,000 and has a deadline of January 31.
4. Soule Scholarship
The Soule Scholarship, provided by the Soule Foundation, is open to high school seniors from New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey who identify as an LGBTQ+ person of color and will be pursuing a college degree. The $2,5000 award will be given in part directly to the recipient and the other part directly to the educational institution. The deadline for applications is March 20.
Related: Spotlight on 6 Colleges Supportive of LGBTQ+ Students
5. #TransgenderFirst Scholarship
The #TransgenderFirst Scholarship is open to transgender US citizens with a high school diploma or GED who are planning to pursue or are currently pursuing a degree at a college or university. The award is for $2,500, and the scholarship has a deadline of December 31.
Scholarships for allies
Have you been and continue to be a supportive ally to an individual or group of individuals? Standing up for or standing with another person can serve to empower and strengthen them in their fight for their rights. If you’re a scholarship seeker, being an ally can also potentially serve to increase scholarship opportunities to apply to. The following are examples of awards that are open to LGBTQ+ students as well as their allies.
6. eQuality Scholarship
The eQulity Scholarship is open to high school seniors from Northern or Central California who are planning to attend college or trade school, are community college transfer students, or are medical students. Applicants who fit this criteria must also have demonstrated service to the LGBTQ+ community. Students of all sexual orientations and gender identities are eligible. This scholarship also provides information on the number of applicants who applied in the previous year. The award is $6,000 and has a deadline of January 31.
7. RBPA Scholarship
The RBPA Scholarship, offered from Rainbow Business Professionals Association of Maine, is open to high school seniors as well as undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students from New England. This scholarship’s goal is to promote equality and inclusion, and it requires students to write about a project they’ve done to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community or prevent bullying. Multiple awards are offered, but the amounts aren’t disclosed. The deadline to apply is March 19.
Related: Scholarship FAQ: Expert Advice to Start Your Search
Remember, when applying for scholarships, your search categories should include everything about you, which means identifying who you are or who you stand up for as an ally. Don’t let opportunities pass you by!
Have you found the right school to use these scholarships toward? Check out LGBTQ+ supportive colleges on our Diversity School Profiles page!
