Scholarships for LGBTQ Students

Last updated: March 07, 2022

While many college campuses have made strides to better the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) students, they often face unique challenges in their personal lives and academia; funding shouldn’t be one of them. Scholarships aim to broaden opportunities and make the college transition a successful experience, but with millions of options out there, how do students find the right fit? To help simplify the hunt, we’ve compiled an extensive list of LGBTQ scholarships created specifically for identifying and ally students.

How to Pay | Resources | Application Prep | LGBTQ Scholarships | All Scholarships

It’s more important than ever for the LGBTQ community to challenge their presence in higher education. By creating access to scholarships and other financial opportunities, LGBTQ individuals can better shape cultural progress. Professor Robert M. Anderson, chair of the University of California, addressed students at UC Berkeley’s Lavender Graduation by sharing his experience as a leader in education and member of the gay community.

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Students should have the same access to education regardless of gender identity. Scholarships can help bridge the gap and create opportunities that otherwise may not have been available in the first place.

“The LGBT movement has been driven by the courage and determination of LGBT people...By being out, you create hope and a model for those who are still in the closet. By being out, you educate the society which surrounds us.”
— Robert M. Anderson, professor and chair of the University of California Academic Senate

Resources for LGBTQ Students

LGBTQ Centers

Center Link supports the development of strong, sustainable LGBTQ community centers by addressing common challenges, helping improve their organizational and service delivery capacity and increase access to public resources.

It Gets Better Project

The “It Gets Better Project” provides hope and encouragement to young LGBTQ individuals across the world by connecting them through various media platforms, so no one has to face growing up alone.

Campus Pride

Campus pride is a leading national non-profit organization that develops necessary resources, programs and services to support LGBTQ and ally students on college campuses across the United States.

LGBT National Help Center

The center operates three volunteer hotlines and one volunteer chat system for LGBTQ youth and adults, and also hosts a database of local resources.

Gay Straight Alliance

GSA Network is a next-generation LGBTQ racial and gender justice organization that empowers and trains queer, trans and allied youth leaders to advocate, organize, and mobilize an intersectional movement for safer schools and healthier communities.

LGBTQ Task Force

Task Force aims to end discrimination and remove barriers in every aspect of LGBTQ lives such as housing, employment, healthcare, retirement, and basic human rights.

Pride Foundation

Invests in students, and leaders in greater Northwest area by leveraging generous support from thousands of donors and volunteers to connect local LGBTQ visionaries and communities with grant dollars, scholarships, fellowships, technical expertise, convenings, and leadership development.

Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals

The consortium is a member-based organization working towards the liberation of LGBTQ people in higher education while mentoring and supporting individuals who work on campuses to educate people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

Gamma Rho Lambda

Is the first all-inclusive, multicultural college-based sorority with chapters throughout the United States that acts as a support system for lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and alternative lifestyle-friendly female students.

Delta Lambda Phi

A thriving international organization with chapters and colonies all over North America, Delta Lambda Phi is a fraternity created by gay men for all men to create friendships and offer support to the gay community.

 
 

How to Pay for College

1

Scholarships

There are hundreds of scholarships for LGBTQ students, which are awarded by local organizations, private companies, societies and more.

 
2

Grants

Grants don’t need to be paid back and are based on your financial circumstances. They are usually funded by the federal government, your state or college.

 
3

Fellowships

While scholarships usually fund tuition, fellowships typically cover graduate study, research projects and abroad experiences without needing to be paid back.

 
4

Student Loans

You can borrow money from the government or a bank, but it needs to be paid back with interest. The federal government offers many loan options—fill out the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for financial aid. If you need help, use our interactive guide to learn how to answer every question.

 
5

Federal Work-Study Program

Provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to pay education expenses.

 
 

If you’re just beginning the process of finding suitable scholarships, make sure you’re prepared for the application process by starting a folder with the assets below.

Scholarship Application Preparation

Not all scholarships are based off of your GPA, but most need to verify your high school education to qualify. Try to get certified copies of your transcript early, so you have plenty of time to meet the deadline.
Although there are scholarship opportunities that aren’t merit-based, it’s valuable to take the SAT or ACT standardized tests in case it’s a scholarship qualification.
Your scholarship essay is what will bring attention to your application out of the pool of applicants. That’s why it’s important to craft a stand out piece that attests to your experience, adheres to the scholarship guidelines and most importantly, highlights your true personality.
Letters of recommendation are a true judgement of your character—something that can’t be revealed through your test scores or transcript. Reach out to former teachers, counselors or bosses, so that they can speak to your qualifications. You may also want to provide them with a resume that outlines your achievements and goals as well.
 

LGBTQ Scholarships

Instructions: Click through the dropdowns below to sort by award amount and if you qualify for need-based aid.

 

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