LGBTQ students face more financial difficulties than their straight and cisgender peers. Reasons may include lack of familial support, fear of being discriminated against in future employment and thus being unable to repay debt, or anxiety about being denied financial assistance or other services because of gender identity or sexual orientation. Members of the LGBTQ community are more likely to live in poverty than their peers, according to the LGBTQ Poverty Collaborative, which is why scholarships are so important. To celebrate Pride Month, INSIGHT Into Diversity recognizes 10 national higher education scholarships dedicated to students who identify as LGBTQ. For a full list of scholarships available by state, visit hrc.org/scholarship-database.
APIQWTC Scholarship
The Asian Pacific Islander Queer Women and Transgender Community offers $400 scholarships to Asian Pacific Islander LGBTQ students.
apiqwtc.org
Colin Higgins Youth Courage Awards
The foundation awards $10,000 grants to LGBTQ youth activists.
colinhiggins.org/process-timeline
Queer Foundation High School Essay Contest
The foundation provides $1,000 scholarships to LGBTQ high school seniors planning to study queer theory or a related field at a U.S. college or university.
queerfoundation.org
Gamma Mu Foundation Scholarships
The foundation awards a total of $19,000 annually in individual scholarships to gay undergraduate and graduate men.
gammamufoundation.org
Gayborhood Scholarship
The online city guide for LGBTQ-friendly establishments offers two $1,000 scholarships in the spring and fall semesters.
gayborhood.wishpond.com/scholarship
Hampton Roads Pride Scholarship
This nonprofit offers three $1,600 scholarships with a preference for applicants who have done social justice work in LGBTQ communities.
hamptonroadspride.org/scholarship
NOGLSTP Out to Innovate Scholarship
The National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals provides two $5,000 scholarships, one to an undergraduate and another to a graduate student in STEM fields.
noglstp.org/programs-projects/scholarships
Scholarships and Financial Aid Specifically for Graduate Students
GoGrad.org maintains a list of scholarships for LGBTQ graduate students in various fields. gograd.org/financial-aid/scholarships/lgbtq
Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship
Administered by the Stonewall Community Foundation, this scholarship offers $1,500 to $3,000 to lesbians in high school or those already attending a higher education institution. stonewallfoundation.org/scholarships
Women in Medicine Leadership Scholarship
Women in Medicine presents two $5,000 scholarships to LGBTQ female students enrolled in their first, second, or third year of medical school.
womeninmedicine.org/leadership-scholarships
