Scholarships are as diverse as the student body and there are several that are dedicated to LGBTQ+ students. Below, we’ve listed 7 that may be awards you qualify for and should consider applying for.
1. Collin Higgins Youth Courage Award
Amount: $15,000
Deadline: TBD
Collin Higgins’s movies featured characters who always stood up to adversity with dignity and grace. Each year, the Collin Higgins Youth Courage Award is given to individuals who have refused to be silenced when faced with hardship, intolerance, and bigotry based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin but have instead responded with the same dignity and grace as Higgins’ characters.
Three winners will receive the Colin Higgins Youth Filmmaker Grant and receive $15,000 that can be put towards supporting professional development in filmmaking and future film products. The recipients’ short films will also be featured during the Frameline: San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival.
Each award winner receives a $10,000 grant and is honored during all-expenses-paid trips to Pride weekend in either New York or Los Angeles and the Creating Change Conference.
2. Out to Innovate™ Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: Early June
The Out to Innovate™ scholarship is given to outstanding LGBTQ+ students working in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. Eligible students must be in good standing with their institution, have a minimum of two years of post-secondary education with a declared STEM major, a 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale or higher, and be an active supporter of programs working to increase LGBTQ inclusion and visibility. In addition, students must identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
3. Kay Longcope Scholarship Award
Amount: Up to $3,000
Deadline: Late May
Honoring the first out reporter at the Boston Globe newspaper, the Kay Longcope Scholarship is awarded to an LGBT individual of color planning on a career in journalism from NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists. Those interested in applying need to be planning to pursue a career in journalism, though a declared major in journalism and communications is not absolutely required. Non-Journalism majors must showcase their interest in the field in other ways, such as internships or involvement in the campus newspaper.
Graduate students are also welcome to apply, but they must be majored in Journalism.
In addition, applicants must show their awareness of issues facing the LGBT community and the importance of fair and unbiased media coverage, maintain a 3.2 GPA during the year that the scholarship is awarded, and complete a project designed to advance the NLGJA mission.
4. LEAGUE Foundation LGBTQ Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: April
The LEAGUE Foundation offers five different scholarship categories, though students only need to submit one general application. The foundation supports LGBTQ+ high school seniors accepted into a college. The five awards include:
- The Laurel Hester Memorial Scholarship
- The Matthew Shepard Memorial Scholarship
- The Tyler Clementi Memorial Scholarship
- The LEAGUE DFW Chapter Scholarship
- The LEAGUE Foundation Scholarship
Information about these awards and how to apply becomes available on January 1st every year.
5. Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship
Amount: $4,000
Deadline: TBD
The Stonewall Foundation hosts the Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship. Established by Peggy Traub and Phyllis Dicker, the scholarship supports women-identifying lesbians currently in higher education. High school seniors, college students, and graduate students are welcome to apply,.
There are also two other awards through the Stonewall Foundation for the LGBTQ+ community: The Aritzia Scholarship and the Little Bird Scholarship for LGBTQI Immigrants.
6. Point Foundation Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Deadline: December 21
The Point Foundation offers multiple scholarships each year to full-time LGBTQ students. The foundation evaluates applicants based on financial need, academic achievement, personal merit, involvement in the LGBTQ community, professional and leadership experience, personal and future goals, and marginalization. Scholarship award amounts vary based on need but average around $10,000 yearly for up to four years.
7. Pride Foundation Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Deadline: January 6
The Pride Foundation offers multiple different scholarship opportunities to students in the LGBTQ+ community divided into four areas: academic pursuits, community leadership, cultural identities, and geography. Recipients of Pride Foundation Scholarships are usually students that show leadership potential within the LGBTQ community and/or their field of study, lack a broader LGBTQ support system, are facing additional barriers to educational access, and demonstrate financial need.
These are just a few examples of scholarships out there that are designed specifically for the LGBTQ+ community. If you’re interested in applying to them, make sure to take note of the deadlines and application requirements to give yourself the best chance of winning the award.
Interested in finding other scholarships you may qualify for? Visit our Scholarship Search Tool to find awards you can apply to today to help you pay for college!
| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.50%-16.12%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
5.54% - 15.70% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
5.00% - 17.99% Variable
3.49% - 17.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
5.66% - 14.72% Variable
3.69% - 14.56% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
5.62% - 16.85% Variable
3.69% - 16.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
