Believe it or not, there are scholarships available specifically for lesbian, gay, bi and transgender students. Here are some of the top national and regional scholarships available to LGBT students. Be sure to check your local gay community organizations or college of choice too, because there are many local LGBT scholarships that are not listed here.
The Point Foundation provides not only money for tuition, books room and board, but also has a leadership program to help LGBT scholars succeed. From their website: "We pay particular attention to those students who have lost the financial and social support of their families and/or communities as a result of revealing their sexual orientation or gender identity."
LEAGUE at AT&T Foundation Scholarships are available to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender U.S. high school seniors who have demonstrated achievements in:
- a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- significant involvement in community service
- acceptance to an accredited U.S. college or university
League offers $1500 scholarships and several special $2500 scholarships in honor of Matthew Shepherd and Laurel Hester.
The Live Out Loud Foundation provides GLBT students positive role models in careers and education. For graduating seniors, or those who have put off college for one yeear from the New York Tri-State area, including New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey the Live Out Loud Foundation offers three $2500 scholarships.
COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) has four $1,000 scholarships to support the undergraduate studies of students with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender parents.
For graduate students studying psychology the Maylon-Smith scholarship annually awards up to $1000 graduate students in psychology to advance research in the psychology of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Planning on learning to fly? The National Gay Pilot's Association wants to help. Applicants must be pursuing a career as a professional pilot and must demonstrate that they make a contribution to the gay and lesbian community.
Lesbian and Social Work go together like, well lesbians and Birkenstocks. If you are pursuing a career in Social Work and are interested in studying lesbians the National Association of Social Workers Lesbian Caucus Award can set you up with a $500 research award to continue your work.
A yearly essay contest for queer youth could yield you $1000 towards college. And best of all, if your essay is selected, it could end up in high school English classes across the country as a way to promote acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer issues.
The LGBT HEART Scholarship Fund is for students in the health professions seeking to promote the health and well-being of the LGBT community. Scholarships are available on an annual basis to “out” LGBT students pursuing advanced (Masters level or higher) degrees in the health professions.
