LGBTQ+ Scholarships

By Mya Tran

I thought college was going to be like a movie. Stereotypical, I know, but when I imagined myself on a university campus, I was dreaming of frisbee being played on lawns, rows and rows of booths with wildly interesting clubs, and circles of young adults playing music, laughing, and studying. I did not stop and think about how awful it was to have to hunt for scholarships every semester. The hours of digging through databases half filled with scams or scholarships I didn’t qualify for was draining and disheartening. So! To save you from the pain I had to endure, here is a list of LGBT+ oriented scholarships for those of you who are making your way towards college.

Markouwski-Leach

About: Tom Markowski and Jim Leach were a gay couple living in San Francisco. As the AIDS crisis spread in the early 1980s, they talked about what they would like their legacy to be. They “wanted to make a difference” and felt that, at that time, there was a dearth of positive role models for gays and lesbians. This became the defining theme of the scholarships: to assist in the education of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) people who would then have an impact on other LGBTQ people through their works.

Requirements:

• Commitment and persistence to achieving a significant positive goal in their academics, employment, committee work, or volunteerism
• Plan to attend one of the following universities for the academic year in which the scholarship will be awarded: San Francisco State University; Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; UC College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly known as UC Hastings); or University of California, San Francisco.
• Will be enrolled in a program which will lead to a degree or a teaching credential.
• Will be enrolled full-time, as defined by the university.
• All prospective undergraduate and graduate students may apply.
• All undergraduate recipients must have earned a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 in all prior college level coursework. (High school students applying for admission will be considered eligible upon admission to an affiliated university.) Graduate recipients must be eligible to enroll in a graduate program at their campus.

Application: Not listed

Deadline: March 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM PDT

Stonewall Community Foundation Scholarships

About: A series of scholarships devoted to provide unique opportunities and access to education, both in New York City and throughout the country and to overcome socioeconomic barriers.

Requirements:

• Vary by scholarship and are listed on the website

Application: Varies by scholarship

Due Dates: Not listed

Leauge Foundation Awards

About: Currently, the scholarship program’s focus is on graduating high school students moving directly into higher education, since the high school dropout rate for LGBTQ students is one of the highest along with the largest number of suicides while in high school. Statistically, if a student crosses over from high school into college, the number of suicides and even drop-outs from college exponentially reduces.

Requirements:

• Be a United States Citizen or be a legal immigrant.
• Be attending an accredited college, university, or vocational school within the United States or Canada. Proof of acceptance is required.
• Provide an OFFICIAL copy of their high school transcript showing a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better using a 4.0 scale or equivalent. Weighted average can be used in this calculations. If the applicant’s high school does not use a numerical grading system, then a complete description of the measures of success and requirements for graduation is required.

Application: Complete 2 personal essays as outlined on the application form. Provide at least 2 letters of recommendation from non-family members. Prepare a detailed list of community involvement. Heavier weight is given to those activities and leadership roles relating directly to the LGBTQ+ communities. Sign an acknowledgement form agreeing to the outlined terms and conditions of the application.

Due Date: Not listed

The Spirit of Dru Scholarship

About: “The Spirit of Dru Scholarship: The Dru Project gives scholarships to students who truly exemplify Drew’s spirit and desire for unity, inclusion, and love. We feel that setting young leaders up for success is the best way to change the future. Our scholarship application consists of two essay questions about community, intersectionality, leadership, and student’s plans for the future. Any student who will be attending a college or trade school is eligible; this year, we are also proud to be offering a scholarship to help former students struggling with their loans. Upcoming scholarship applications will be open from March 15th — May 15th, 2024. For the application and more information, please head to our website.” — The Dru Project

Requirements:

• Scholarships are given to students who will be attending college or a trade school. They can only win the scholarship once.
• Scholarship funds will be mailed directly to the school via check that the student is enrolled in.
• Verification that the student is enrolled in a school is required.
• Should the student choose to not attend school, the scholarship will be valid for up to one year.
• Participate in marketing activities for The Dru Project within reason, including a video when the scholarship is awarded.

Application: Two essay questions

Due Date: Not listed

Additionally, here are some scholarship databases that are easy to navigate for LGBTQ+ students:

PFlag: PFLAG ​is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.

Human Rights Campaign: HRC’s campaigns are focused on mobilizing those who envision a world strengthened by diversity, where our laws and society treat all people equally, including LGBTQ+ people and those who are multiply marginalized.