Financial Aid Opportunities for LGBTQ Academic Achievers

Supporting LGBTQ+ Students: A Comprehensive Guide to Scholarships

For LGBTQ+ students and allies seeking financial aid, there are numerous scholarships available that cater specifically to their community. Here's a roundup of some notable scholarships and their eligibility criteria.

The Point Foundation Flagship Scholarship offers $12,000 to LGBTQ students pursuing undergraduate to doctoral degrees at U.S. accredited colleges. The application deadline is December 5. [1]

The Penn State Barry H. Marshal Scholarship awards scholarships ranging from $1,000 to students who are LGBT or allies, with a requirement for financial need. The deadline for applications is December 20. [1]

The GSBA Scholarship Fund (Pride Foundation) provides $7,500 to LGBTQ+ and allied students in the Northwest U.S. The application deadline for 2026 is January 10. [1]

The L'Oreál LGBTQIA+ Scholarship offers $5,000 to LGBTQIA+ students. The deadline for applications is July 31. [1]

The American Red Cross - Leaders Save Lives Scholarship awards $2,500 to LGBTQ+ students. The application deadline is September 1. [1]

The LGBTQ+ Wellness in Action Scholarship offers $1,000 to students prioritizing well-being and self-care. The deadline for applications is July 29. [3]

The Pride in Diversity Scholarship provides $2,500 to students pursuing STEM degrees. The application deadline is approximately July 31. [3]

The Solgaard Scholars: Oceanic Studies offers $5,000 to students studying ocean health or sustainability. The application deadline is September 20. [3]

The Prism Foundation Scholarship awards scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to LGBTQIA+ and API community members. The application process is ongoing. [5]

The PFund Foundation Scholarship Program offers scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $12,000 to college and graduate students committed to LGBTQ+ leadership. The application process is ongoing. [5]

The Pride Foundation Scholarship awards up to $16,500 to LGBTQ+ students overcoming systemic barriers in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The application process is ongoing. [5]

The SOULE Scholarship provides $5,000 to LGBTQ+ or minority high school graduates enrolled in U.S. post-secondary education. The application process is ongoing. [5]

Local organizations also offer scholarships, such as the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce Education Fund for LGBTQ+ students and allies demonstrating potential. [2]

Specific Scholarship Details

To apply for the Live Out Loud Educational Scholarship, applicants must submit two letters of recommendation and two essays, with an interview if selected as a finalist.
To qualify for the Point Foundation Scholarship, applicants must have a proven track record of leadership and community involvement, strong academic achievement, financial need, and a commitment to bettering the LGBTQ community.
The League Foundation awards seven scholarships each year to graduating high school seniors who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer.
To qualify for PFLAG scholarships, applicants must have already done service work to make their communities more inclusive, be graduating seniors entering college for the first time, self-identify within the LGBTQ community or as an ally, and demonstrate an interest in service to the LGBTQ community.
The Point Foundation awards about 20 to 30 new scholarships each year to students who are "out" as members of the LGBTQ community, with an average yearly award of $10,000 that is renewable for up to four years.
The application period for NOGLSTP scholarships opens each April and runs through the first Saturday of June.
The deadline for the Gamma Mu Foundation Scholarships is March 31.
To qualify for the Association of LGBT Journalists Leroy F. Aarons Scholarship Award, applicants must demonstrate their journalism skills by submitting work samples.
The national PFLAG scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000.
The Queer Foundation Queer Scholars Program awards $1,000 each year to up to three high school seniors selected as winners of the organization's essay contest, with access to mentoring, advising, and tutoring.
The Pride Foundation awards more than 50 scholarships to LGBTQ students and allies in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, with the average scholarship being $3,250 in 2015.
PFLAG, a nonprofit organization, gives national awards and local scholarships to LGBTQ high school graduating seniors or allies each year.
The deadline for the Point Foundation Scholarship is late January.

This list provides a comprehensive guide to scholarships available for LGBTQ+ students and allies, offering financial support and professional opportunities across various disciplines and regions. It's recommended to check each scholarship’s official page for the most current deadlines and detailed criteria. [1, 2, 3, 5]

[1] https://pointfoundation.org/scholarships/ [2] https://www.austinlgbtchamber.com/education-fund/ [3] https://www.lgbtqscholarship.org/ [5] https://pridefoundation.org/scholarships/

In the process of seeking financial aid, LGBTQ+ students and their allies can leverage a personal finance calculator to manage scholarship loans and credit, ensuring a balanced approach to education-and-self-development and learning.
When applying for the Point Foundation Flagship Scholarship, detailed essays and strong academic records are paramount, in addition to a comprehensive demonstration of leadership, community involvement, and a commitment to bettering the LGBTQ+ community.
Scholarship applicants looking to secure the GSBA Scholarship Fund (Pride Foundation) should consider drafting compelling applications by December 10, 2026, and prioritize their interest in learning and wellness within the LGBTQ+ community.
For students seeking scholarship opportunities in ocean health or sustainability, the Solgaard Scholars: Oceanic Studies provide credit towards their education-and-self-development, with an application deadline of September 20.