If there's one thing that I hope I have been emphasizing throughout my blog posts when it comes to scholarships, it's the importance of thinking outside the box when it comes to finding scholarships that you might be a good fit for.
Don't get me wrong, it's great if you're in math or engineering to head over to our Scholarships for STEM Students, but if there are also so many more scholarship opportunities that are beyond your intended or current major/field of study. Which leads me to...
This post! Which is fully, 100% dedicated to highlighting some of the many LGBTQ scholarships that are out there for high school, college, and graduate students to apply for.
One thing that I do want to point out about these scholarships is that some of them are specifically for students who identify as LGBTQ+, whereas others are additionally open to students who have shown a commitment to the LGBTQ+ community through activism and other efforts.
So, without further ado, here is my list of LGBTQ Scholarships! Keep in mind that while most of the scholarships are currently accepting applications, a few of them may be closed or not currently accepting applications.
However, if you find one that you're a good match for, regardless of whether it is currently open or closed, be sure to add it to your scholarship tracker so you can apply when it opens up!
Alan Turing Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: January 25
The scholarship is for enrolled UC San Diego undergraduate students majoring in computer science or computer engineering, public policy, communications, and other programs touching on networked systems and who are active in supporting the LGBT community.
Amount: up to $13,000
Deadline: January 30
GSBA awards educational scholarships to LGBTQ and straight-ally students who are committed to making a difference in the world. Their scholarships range up to $13,000 annually and are meant to provide significant support as you pursue your educational goals.
To receive a GSBA Scholarship as an undergraduate, you must be a Washington State resident.* However, since GSBA shares an application with Pride Foundation, those residing in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington are encouraged to apply. Both GSBA and Pride Foundation scholars may study at any accredited college or university.
Graduate students are also eligible to apply. See the application page for details.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: February 14
APIQWTC (Asian and Pacific Islander Queer Women and Transgender Community) is an organization in the San Francisco Bay Area providing support and community for nearly 800 queer and trans-Asian and Pacific Islander individuals.
The scholarship recognizes those who are active in the community and encourages future leaders. APIQWTC will be awarding scholarships of $2500 each to two Asian/Pacific
Islander lesbian, bisexual, or queer women or transgender individuals pursuing technical/professional training or an undergraduate/graduate degree.
eQuality Scholarships (multiple)
Amount: Varies
Deadline: early March
eQuality Scholarship Collaborative awards scholarships to honor and encourage California students for their service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community. Scholarships may be used for post-secondary education at accredited institutions - colleges, universities, and trade schools. Some of the scholarships are specifically for medical school.
The Alexander Foundation Scholarship Program
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: March 21
The Alexander Foundation was founded in 1981 as a public, non-profit, philanthropic organization. Through our three education scholarships, the foundation has continued a tradition of caring for the LGBTQIA+ community to overcome barriers they may face in pursuit of academic success.
Applicants for ALL scholarships must:
Identify within the LGBTQIA+ community
Be residents of Colorado
Be pursuing a degree at an accredited institution of higher education in the state of Colorado
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: March 31
Scholarship of $2000 awarded to a student who attends San Francisco State University, Stanford University, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of California San Francisco, or the University of California Hastings College of the Law, and self-identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer.
LEAGUE Scholarships (multiple)
Amount: Varies
Deadline: April 15
The LEAGUE Foundation provides financial resources for U.S. Citizens (or legal immigrants) that are self-identified as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBTQ+).
Open to high school seniors entering their first year of institutions of higher learning.
Phoenix Pride Scholarship Program
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: May 1
The Pride Scholarship Fund was established to provide scholarships for students who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer (LGBTQ+) OR LGBTQ+ Allies. The fund was created by Phoenix Pride to support LGBTQ+ students and LGBTQ+ Allies in furthering their educational goals. Open to Arizona residents with financial need.
LGBTQ Safety in Schools Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: May 17
The scholarship program will support self-identified LGBTQ+ members enrolled in a teacher/counseling credential or graduate program who are pursuing a career in public education and who understand the importance of LGBTQ+ educators as role models in our public schools. Applicants must be: (1) An active CTA/SCTA member; or (2) A public school student(s) sponsored by an active CTA/SCTA member.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: June 1
The NY Ramblers Scholarship supports student-athletes pursuing an undergraduate education who self-identify publicly as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex (LGBTQI), or as demonstrated and committed straight allies. Awardees will receive a one-time scholarship, paid directly to their school to cover tuition fees.
Traub Dicker Rainbow Scholarship
Amount: up to $13,000
Deadline: June 11
The Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship was established by Peggy Traub and Phyllis Dicker to encourage and support gay women in their pursuit of higher education. This program provides one-year scholarships of $1,500 or $3,000 to those graduating high school or already enrolled in college in any year of study, including graduate school.
Amount: up to $10,000
Deadline: June 15
PFUND awards grants to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and allied individuals for their commitment to leadership within their communities. Individual grants support bold leaders pursuing:
The ESA Foundation LGBTQ Support Scholarships
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: June 24
Debuted in 2019, this scholarship co-awarded by Gay Gaming Professionals recognizes students pursuing a degree in video game creation, collegiate esports or content creation, who also show a commitment to service in their local, regional and/or national LGBTQ+ communities.
Little Bird Scholarship for LGBTQI Immigrants
Amount: $18,000
Deadline: June 25
Awarding a total of $18,000 for up to two years of school, the Little Bird Scholarship provides a measure of financial stability to undergraduate students who are both LGBTQ or intersex and undocumented immigrants, including refugees and individuals seeking or granted asylum.
Denny's Hungry for Education LGBTQ Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: December 10
Open to college students residing in the US, identifying as members of the LGBTQ community.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: December 18
An endowed fellowship named for CLAGS founder and first executive director, Martin Duberman, and partner, Eli Zal, this fellowship is awarded to a graduate student, an independent scholar, or an adjunct from any country doing scholarly research on the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/queer (LGBTQ) experience.
An additional resource that offers dozens of scholarships for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies is the PFLAG Foundation. PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies, and has over 400 chapters across the US. Click here to access the scholarship opportunities offered by some of the individual PFLAG chapters.
For more LGBTQ+ scholarships, head over to our scholarship search or directory!
Other quick links: