20 Scholarships for LGBTQ Students (Updated Regularly)

If you’re an LGBTQ student, the struggle of paying for college hits different when you don’t have family or community support. 

But figuring out how to finance your education isn’t something you should have to do alone. 

Fortunately, there are many scholarships for LGBTQ students that can help you pay for school. If the only thing standing between you and getting a degree, is finances. 

You’re in the right place. We’ve compiled 20 scholarships for LGBTQ students. Let’s jump right in!

Scholarships for LGBTQ Students

1. The Audre Lorde Scholarship Fund

The Audre Lorde Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to Out Black lesbians 50 years and older making significant contributions to their communities. 

You must be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program in the U.S. Each award is 

Amount: $1000 or more

Apply Here: https://www.zaminobla.org

2. NWSA Lesbian Caucus Award

The National Women’s Studies Association Lesbian Caucus Award is for graduate students who are working on a Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation project in the areas of Lesbian, Queer, and LGBTQI+ studies. 

Although membership isn’t required, a preference is given to members of the National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA).  

Amount: $500 

Apply Here: www.nwsa.org

3. Pride in Diversity Scholarship

Pride in Diversity Scholarship by Aronow.io is awarded to LGBTQ+ students pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field.

You must submit a one- to two-minute video explaining your role in the LGBTQ+ and STEM communities and how the scholarship would benefit your education. 

Priority will be given to those who are facing financial hardship, transition-related medical costs, or discrimination.

Amount: $2,500

Apply here: https://bold.org/scholarships

4. Fund for Education Abroad Rainbow Scholarship

This scholarship is for LGBTQI students who want to participate in a study abroad program. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident currently enrolled as an undergraduate at a college or university in the U.S. 

Study abroad programs must be at least 4 weeks (28 days) in length to receive this scholarship award. 

Amount: Varies 

Apply Here:  https://fundforeducationabroad.org

5. Point Foundation Flagship Scholarship

The Point Flagship Scholarship is for LGBTQ students who are pursuing degrees at accredited four-year institutions in the United States. 

Scholarship recipients receive financial support, access to leadership development programs, mentorship or coaching, and the support of a community of scholars and alumni.

Amount: Varies 

Apply Here: https://pointfoundation.org  

6. LEAGUE Foundation LGBTQ Scholarship

The LEAGUE Foundation Academic Scholarship Fund is for graduating high school seniors who identified themselves as LGBT. 

The organization offers a few different awards. Selection is based on GPA and community involvement.

Amount: Varies 

Apply Here: https://www.leaguefoundation.org 

7. Prism Foundation Scholarships

Prism Foundation offers scholarships to students who are making a positive impact on the Asian & Pacific Islander and LGBTQ+ communities.

Scholarships have been awarded to students across different industries. 

Amount: $1000 – $5000 

Apply Here: https://theprismfoundation.org 

8. Pride Foundation Scholarships

The Pride Foundation offers scholarships to LGBTQ+ and allied undergraduate and graduate students living in the Northwest. 

You must be a resident of the Northwest (but may study anywhere) or be attending school in the Northwest. 

Amount: Varies 

Apply Here: https://pridefoundation.org

9. Live Out Loud Young Trailblazers Scholarship

The Live Out Loud Young Trailblazers Scholarship awards $5,000 to three LGBTQ+ high-school seniors from the tri-state area.

To qualify, you must demonstrate community impact through leadership and have a financial need.

Amount: $5,000

Apply Here: https://liveoutloud.org 

10. National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association’s (NLGJA) Leroy F. Aarons Scholarship

The Leroy F. Aarons scholarship is for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a career in journalism. Selection will be based on journalistic and scholastic ability. 

You must demonstrate an awareness of the issues facing the LGBTQ community. And should also be NLGJA members in good standing.

Amount: Up to $5,000

Apply Here: https://www.nlgja.org/resources/aarons 

11. Malyon Smith Scholarship Research Award

This LGBTQ grant annually awards up to $1,000 to graduate students in psychology who are researching issues that affect the LGBT community, such as sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). 

To be eligible, you’ll need to be enrolled in a graduate program full-time in a department of psychology. 

Amount: up to $1,000

Apply Here: www.apadivisions.org 

12. The Kenneth W. Payne Student Prize

The Kenneth W. Payne Student Prize is awarded each year by the Association for Queer Anthropology (AQA) to a graduate or undergraduate student for outstanding anthropological work on 1) a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender topic or 2) a critical interrogation of sexualities and genders more broadly defined.

The prize includes a cash award of $500. Your work must have been completed while you were still enrolled as a student. 

Research papers and visual media are eligible for submission. The application deadline is June 1st each year.

Amount: $500

Apply Here: http://queeranthro.org

13. The Out to Innovate™ Scholarships

The Out to Innovate™ Scholarships formerly known as NOGLSTP is for LGBTQ+ undergraduate and graduate students or allies pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) programs.

To be eligible, you’ll need a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75. Winners will be awarded two $5,000 scholarships each Fall. 

Amount: two $5,000 scholarships 

Apply Here: https://noglstp.org  

14. Roy Scrivner Memorial Research Grants

Roy Scrivner Memorial Research grant is for graduate students to conduct research in the study of LGBT family psychology and LGBT family therapy.

To qualify, you must be a graduate student in good standing. 

Amount: up to $10,000

Apply Here: https://www.apa.org 

15. Stonewall Foundation Scholarships 

The Stonewall Foundation offers several scholarships to LGBTQ people in New York City and throughout the US. Their scholarships provide financial aid and learning experiences.

Check out their website to learn more about their scholarships!

Amount: Varies 

Apply Here: https://www.stonewallfoundation.org 

16. Acorn Equality Fund Scholarships

Acorn Equality Fund offers scholarships to LGBTQ students living in Illinois (all counties except Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will). 

They offer several scholarships based on academics, financial need, community service, commitment to public health, and political advocacy.

You can apply for multiple scholarships but can only receive one award; and will need to submit a separate application for each scholarship.

Amount: $1,000 to $4,000

Apply Here: https://www.acornequalityfund.org

17. PFLAG Scholarship Program

PFLAG is an organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families with 400 chapters across the U.S. 

Many PFLAG chapters have scholarship programs of their own. Click the link below to find scholarships and a chapter near you!

Amount: Varies 

Apply Here: https://pflag.org

18. National Gay Pilots Association Scholarship

The National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA) offers scholarships to students pursuing careers in aviation. 

The scholarship is open to all students giving back to the LGBT community. 

To qualify, you’ll need to be a member of the NGPA.

Amount: Varies

Apply here: https://www.ngpa.org/scholarships 

19. Gay’s Den Scholar Award

The Gay’s Den Scholar Award is for LGBTQ+ people graduating from high schools in Florida. The scholarship is to uplift LGBTQ+ students so they can lead successful lives.

You must write an essay describing the impact of your coming-out experience. And must also have a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Amount: $1,500

Apply here: https://bold.org/scholarships 

20. The LOUD Foundation

The LOUD Foundation invests in future leaders of the Canadian 2SLGBTQ+ community. 

Scholarships are for LGBTQ students enrolled at Canadian universities, who are also Canadian citizens or residents. Applications open in November and close on January 31st annually. 

Amount: $2,500

Apply Here: https://loudbusiness.com  

Getting Started 

If getting an education is what you want. Don’t let anything stop you. Remember to celebrate yourself beyond pride month. 

We’ll keep this list updated for you. Make sure to check back for more scholarships for LGBTQ students! Set a reminder to follow up on scholarships with applications that are closed or not yet open for the year. 

Join our inclusive community with thousands of future leaders worldwide. It’s free! And you get instant access to our Career Level Up Center when you join. Our career center has 100% free educational templates, workbooks, and career guides. 

Over to You 

Did we miss any resources for LGBTQ students? Let us know in the comments section on social @netwerkmovement. Share this with other students and allies!

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