The Best LGBTQ+ Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines

About LGBTQ+ scholarships

LGBTQ+ scholarships are for students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning, and other sexual identities and allied communities. By achieving greater recognition, inclusion, and understanding of diverse sexual orientations and gender expressions, societal perceptions of people who identify themselves as LGBTQ+ have grown. 

Scholarships for LGBTQ+ students dramatically decrease the cost of college tuition for those in the LGBTQ+ community. There are general LGBTQ+ scholarships and scholarships with specific criteria requiring community involvement, financial need, academic achievement, distinct gender identity, and more. Scholarships for LGBTQ+ students alleviate the monetary requirements LGBTQ+ students face when pursuing post-secondary education.

LGBTQ+ college students will find external funding and support through these scholarships for their college education. These scholarships empower students in the LGBTQ+ community to pursue their education and reach their goals. There are several scholarship programs designed to assist students seeking higher education. New scholarships are created on Bold.org every day, generating various scholarship opportunities for students.  

Can you get a scholarship for being LGBTQ+?

There are now many programs, resources, and events throughout the country to show support for LGBTQ+ students. As a result, there are numerous scholarships available for members and allied students of the LGBTQ+ community. A plethora of scholarships are distributed through colleges and organizations for LGBTQ+ students, making it easier for students in the LGBTQ+ community to pursue post-secondary education. 

When researching institutions, reach out to the colleges you are interested in to see if they have an LGBTQ+ resource center for support and information regarding scholarships for LGBTQ+ students. Bold.org offers LGBTQ+ students scholarship opportunities to support advancements in equality.

How to apply for LGBTQ+ scholarships

One of the first steps in searching for LGBTQ+ scholarships is to reach out to your college's financial aid office to see what financial support and scholarships your college offers. In addition to institutional aid, external scholarship platforms can help provide resources and other scholarships to assist you in your educational journey. Bold.org is dedicated to fighting student debt by assisting students in finding funding opportunities to lessen their tuition costs.  

Whether in high school, college, or graduate school, Bold.org is an excellent place to start your scholarship search. Simply create a Bold.org account and begin browsing available scholarships for people in the LGBTQ+ community. This scholarship platform is the largest independent scholarship program in the country and had an abundance of scholarship opportunities waiting to be awarded to LGBTQ+ students. Simply follow the application prompts and click "apply now" to complete your application!  

Scholarships will differ in eligibility criteria; students must make sure they are eligible for each application to maximize their earnings. Never assume all scholarship providers want the same information from you, but rather give careful attention to each prompt. Scholarship applicants can make their applications stand out through impressive personal essays. Don't worry if you're not a great writer. Bold.org has you covered; check out the best tips for creating an excellent essay here. 

Best LGBTQ+ scholarships

Students in the LGBTQ+ community will find general scholarships that welcome all LGBTQ+ applicants and other scholarships that focus on specific subgroups of this community like transgender students or those who demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, specific academic year, or have participated in community service. 

The best scholarships for LBGTQ+ students are those explicitly tailored towards LGBTQ+ students, as this requirement limits the number of eligible candidates. Lesbian students, gay students, bisexual students, transgender students, and allied students can lessen their educational expenses with scholarships from Bold.org.

An excellent resource for LGBTQ+ students is the Point Foundation, a specific scholarship program providing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students with scholarship funding, mentoring, leadership training, and community service activities. As the nation's largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ+ students, the Point Foundation offers leadership training programs, special events, and a mentor to each scholar.

Additionally, The Pride Foundation enables LGBTQ+ student leaders across the Northwest to receive essential financial and community support. If you are an undergraduate student or pursuing graduate school, the Pride Foundation scholarships are an excellent resource for LGBTQ+ students facing unimaginable barriers. The Pride Foundation awards over 60 different scholarship funds covering various characteristics and majors. Receiving a pride scholarship from the Pride Foundation allows LGBTQ+ students to pursue their academic endeavors.

Moreover, The Gamma Mu Foundation Scholarships Program supports gay men interested in pursuing an institution, vocational school, or professional training program. The Gamma Mu Foundation awards two scholarships annually to two students from the broader LGBTQ+ community, “The Folisi & Goodwin Scholarship in Memory of Ray Williams” and “The Phil Papel Memorial Scholarship.” Grants and scholarships are awarded annually; for more information about their scholarships or grants, click here.

At Bold.org, scholarships for LGBTQ+ students are grouped together so they're easy to browse through and apply for. Below are exclusive scholarships for LGBTQ+ students seeking external funding and post-secondary education support. 

1. Pride in Diversity Scholarship
2. Pool Family LGBT+ Scholarship
3. M.R. Brooks Scholarship
4. Gay's Den Scholar Award
5. Bold Equality Scholarship

LGBTQ+ scholarships for high school students

High school seniors planning to attend college will discover LGBTQ+ scholarships here at Bold.org. In support of the LGBTQ+ youth, many scholarships are offered on Bold.org's platform. Many scholarships are tailored toward graduating high school seniors. 

However, don't be discouraged if you're not a high school senior! Scholarships for higher education are not limited to high school seniors. Instead, students in high school, regardless of year, are encouraged to apply for these scholarships. College students and even recent graduates who have student loans are also eligible to apply. The earlier students apply, the better their chances of maximizing their awarded scholarships, so get started today!

When you begin searching for scholarships, it is essential to reach out to your college's financial aid office to see what financial assistance and scholarship opportunities your college offers. Financial assistance comes in various forms, and one of the most significant is scholarships. Consider applying for the following scholarships to reduce your college costs!

1. Mark L. Williams Scholarship
2. Healthy Transitions Scholarship
3. “Equal Opportunity” Scholarship
4. Women's History Scholarship
5. Bold Community Activist Scholarship

Additional scholarships for students in high school can be found here.

College scholarships for LGBTQ+ students

A common misconception is that scholarships are only for high school students seeking an undergraduate education. While many students believe that they will have the best chance of applying for scholarships in high school, there are plenty of options available to current college students attending an accredited college. Current undergraduate and graduate students should consider applying for scholarships to reduce the cost of their tuition and related expenses. 

College students, including community college and graduate students, are encouraged to apply for Bold.org scholarships. Scholarships on Bold.org are easy to apply for, and the website is simple to navigate, making the scholarship application process straightforward. Bold.org has many LGBTQ+ scholarships for undergraduate students and graduate students, with new scholarships created every day, generating various scholarships to support students in any academic year. Submit a scholarship application now by clicking on one of the scholarships listed below! 

1. Heather Payne Memorial Scholarship
2. Second Chance Scholarship
3. Future Female Educators Scholarship
4. Bookman 5 Scholarship
5. Bold Mental Health Awareness Scholarship

Exclusive scholarships for graduate students attending a graduate degree-granting institution can be found here and scholarships for undergraduate students can be found here!

Frequently asked questions about LGBTQ+ scholarships

During your scholarship application process, you may have questions about how to proceed or how Bold.org works. Below you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked LGBTQ+ scholarship questions.

How do I know if I'm eligible for a scholarship?  

A scholarship donor or sponsor may set specific criteria or conditions for their scholarship. This may reflect an organization's fundamental values and objectives or be in memory of an individual to support those from a similar background. The eligibility requirements for scholarships will vary, but they will always be displayed in the description. 

Scholarships on Bold.org are available to students of all levels and degrees. Still, some might have stricter requirements, such as requiring an applicant to demonstrate academic achievement, leadership development, or financial need. Students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or of other marginalized sexual orientations can apply for scholarships on Bold.org.

Additionally, there are hundreds of scholarships with no requirements, such as broad no-essay scholarships that are open to all students and only require applicants to click 'apply' and submit their contact information to apply. Creating a complete, polished profile can increase your chances of becoming nominated for scholarships, can unlock point-based scholarships, and can make your profile stand out to donors.

Before you begin a scholarship application, carefully read the instructions and eligibility criteria to ensure you are an eligible candidate. You can improve your chances of winning a scholarship award by applying to scholarships with more narrow requirements. The stricter the qualifications are, the less competition there will be.!

To receive a scholarship, do I have to fill out the FAFSA? 

Scholarship policies vary from one college to another. Generally, if you apply for any form of financial support, your school may ask you to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Scholarship applications typically do not require a completed FAFSA form but may ask for supporting documentation during the application process. To be sure, reach out to your college's financial administration office. At Bold.org, you do not need to fill out the FAFSA to apply for scholarships.  

How will I receive my scholarship award?  

To determine each scholarship winner, representatives from Bold.org or the scholarship donor will review the accepted scholarship applications. Once a scholarship fund is awarded and verified, Bold.org will provide payment of the awarded scholarship to the winner's accredited post-secondary institution to be applied toward tuition and other related educational expenses upon receiving proof of enrollment. 

Can I receive more than one scholarship?

LGBTQ+ students can receive as many scholarships as they are eligible for. Unlike Federal Pell Grants, which have a maximum amount, Bold.org scholarships and grants range from $500-$75,000, and your chances of winning are unlimited! There is no limit to the number of scholarships students can apply for and receive.

How can I use a scholarship?  

A scholarship award can be used for any educational expense, including tuition, books, and fees. The donor may also determine the eligibility criteria for scholarship use. Typically, scholarships can only be used towards tuition or outstanding fees. Upon winning a scholarship on Bold.org, the funds will be sent directly to your school's financial aid office to be applied to your tuition and other education-related expenses. Scholarships from other sources can be deposited directly into your college account or sent to you by check or direct deposit.

In the event that you receive scholarships and grants that exceed your total tuition and fees, your school may refund the remaining scholarship award. If you get a tuition refund directly or indirectly, you can often use that money towards education costs like books, or room and board, among other related expenses. 

Can my scholarship be used to cover study abroad programs?

Bold.org scholarships can only be sent to institutions located in the United States; however, if you pay tuition through a US-based school while studying abroad, you can use scholarships on Bold.org. 

Do I have to have an excellent GPA to apply for LGBTQ+ scholarships?  

Grade point average isn't always considered when applying for scholarship awards on scholarship programs. Bold.org offers a wide array of scholarships that include GPA but do not always have specific GPA requirements.

Are LGBTQ+ scholarships counted as income?  

For some college students, this may be the first time acknowledging personal finance. Scholarships enable students in the LGBTQ+ community to pursue a college education that otherwise might not have been possible, so the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is generous in minimizing students' tax obligations. The federal government also provides savings plans, tax credits, and deductions to help taxpayers with their higher education expenses.

Additional information regarding these benefits can be found on the IRS website. Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in an accredited institution who receive federal grants, scholarships, or fellowships must pay taxes on the money only if the total exceeds the value of their qualified tuition and related expenses. The Internal Revenue Service defines qualified tuition and related fees.