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Project Pride of NJ Scholarship

Funded by
user profile avatar
Francesca Stella & donors
$1,490
1 winner$1,490
Awarded
Application Deadline
May 1, 2023
Winners Announced
Jun 1, 2023
Education Level
High School
14
Contributions
Share
Eligibility Requirements
State:
NJ
Education level:
High School Senior/ Undergraduate
Background:
LGBTQ+ and Community Service
State:
Education level:
Background:
NJ
High School Senior/ Undergraduate
LGBTQ+ and Community Service

Colleges and universities across the globe comprise their classes with students of different backgrounds, beliefs, and affiliations. While the LGBTQ+ community has gone through immense challenges in society within the past few decades, ensuring their success while pursuing higher education remains a priority. 

Francesca Stella, a high school senior who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, founded Middletown Project Pride in her town several years ago to promote inclusivity. This scholarship is a symbol of her continued effort to promote Pride.

Committed to aiding the LGBTQ+ youth in their educational aspirations, the Project Pride of NJ Scholarship will support students within the community. All New Jersey undergraduate and public high school seniors with community service experience are eligible to apply.

To apply, please tell us how you plan to make a positive impact on the world through your activism/ community service. 

Selection Criteria:
Activism, Impact, Community
Scholarships for High School SeniorsUndergraduate ScholarshipsNew Jersey ScholarshipsCommunity Service ScholarshipsEssay ScholarshipsNational ScholarshipsCollege Students Scholarships
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LGBTQ Scholarships to Apply for in 2025
Published January 25, 2023
$1,490
1 winner$1,490
Awarded
Application Deadline
May 1, 2023
Winners Announced
Jun 1, 2023
Education Level
High School
14
Contributions
Share
Essay Topic

How do you plan to make a positive impact on the world through your activism/community service?

400–600 words

Winners and Finalists

June 2023

Winners
Elissa Gallo
Moore College of Art and Design
Pennsauken Township, NJ
Finalists
Sofie Schoch
High Point Regional High School District
Frankford, NJ
Brittney Svendsen
North Hunterdon High School
Annandale, NJ
Ian Beck
Camden County College
Gloucester Township, NJ
Michael Nieves
Drexel University
Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Jameson Snyder
Morris County School of Technology
Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Rachel Osias
Marlboro Central High School
Manalapan Township, NJ
Nicholas Bonilla
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Pennsauken Township, NJ
Daniel Simpson
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Park Ridge, NJ
Demetrius Aberi
Kean University
Union, NJ
Carli Sullivan
Moore College of Art and Design
Washington Township, NJ
Aydan Goldstein
Pascack Hills High School
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
Emma Dasaro
Saint John Vianney High Sch
Holmdel, NJ

Winning Application

Elissa Gallo
Moore College of Art and DesignPennsauken Township, NJ
Being queer in this world is not a choice, but being yourself is. The anthem of the LGBTQ+ community is to "show your pride". A beautiful mantra but, with all its good intentions forgotten, is tragically dangerous for so many. There are thousands if not millions of people who cannot express themselves for so many reasons present in all areas of the world. In 64 counties is it still a criminal offense to engage in a homosexual relationship. Now think about the person-to-person danger of being queer in these places. There is so much wrong with this world, but I truly believe that WE the people can change these mindsets based on ignorance. In my life, I've seen these attacks against my peers, against myself. I have felt the fear of wanting to stay closeted, yet I still know I am privileged in my current position and safety. I've been a member of GSAs in my community since Grade 7, and in my senior year, I am president. I use my power to spread awareness, truth, and humanity of our message. Creating a safe environment for my peers and educating the opposition is what I do and I plan to continue to do it even after I graduate from this stage in my life. In the future, I plan to use my degree to the best of my ability on top of any other services, I am going into illustration and we all know that "a picture is worth a thousand words in any language". I plan to make pieces establishing the struggles our community faces, to show that we too are humans trying to make it along our paths. To normalize what is completely normal is my goal. I vehemently believe that it is possible to change the minds of thousands if we can just get to them. Another way I plan to make an impact is to take in those who are unfortunately cast aside due to their orientations, in grade 9 I temporarily housed a friend who was kicked out for being transgender. He still is my best friend to this day, and I want to help others facing these exiles due to nothing of their own fault. Day by day, moment to moment we can create change and I want to be able to be that change for someone, for someplace. Each day I get closer and I feel the ripple of the changing tides, slow but steady.

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FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is May 1, 2023. Winners will be announced on Jun 1, 2023.

How will scholarship application information be used?

Your privacy is a top priority on the Bold.org platform, and you can find our privacy policy in full here. You may opt out of communications from Bold.org at any time, and unless we’ve first notified you and gotten your consent, you’ll never receive communication from any third parties related to personal information you give us.

What is the scholarship award?

Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.

When will the scholarship winner be chosen? How will they be notified?

The winner will be publicly announced on Jun 1, 2023. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.

How will the scholarship award be paid?

Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.

How will my scholarship application be verified?

Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.

How should I get in touch with questions?

If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.

Does the scholarship have terms and conditions?

Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.

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