Top 50 Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students in December 2023

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year. Niche is giving one student $50,000 to help pay for tuition, housing, books and other college expenses — no essay required!

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

The Point Flagship Scholarship is designed to support LGBTQ students pursuing higher education at accredited colleges across the United States. This scholarship provides a platform for these students to achieve their academic goals and fulfill their potential, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. With the Point Flagship Scholarship, LGBTQ students can break down barriers and blaze a trail towards a brighter future. Eligible students must identify as a member of the LGBTQ community and be enrolled or intending to enroll at an accredited college in pursuit of a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree. Community college students are also eligible to apply, but must have plans to transfer to a four-year college or university. If interested, we encourage you to apply!

Are you an LGBTQ+ student looking for a generous scholarship opportunity? Further, are you a current or former resident of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington? If so, consider applying for the Pride Foundation Scholarship! The scholarship is open to LGBTQ+ students who have faced systemic barriers to education or other systemic discrimination and are currently pursuing post-secondary education. With this scholarship, The Pride Foundation is proud to support students who are underrepresented and stand out as leaders in their lives, communities, fields of study, workplaces, and movements. Founded in 1985, the Pride foundation carries the belief that people should be able to live safely and openly. Each year, the Pride foundation awards up to $16,500 to multiple recipients to fund their educational expenses. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply!

eQuality Scholarships for high school graduates recognize graduating high school seniors and recent graduates in northern and central California students for their service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community. Applicants must plan to attend or have begun attending an accredited post-secondary institution for the first time in the award year.

eQuality scholarships for Community College Transfer Students recognize northern and central California community college students for their service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community. Applicants must plan to attend or have begun attending an accredited 4-year college or university for the first time in the award year.

The eQuality Scholarship Collaborative awards scholarships to honor and encourage California students for their service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community. In general, eligible students fall into one of these categories: (A) Resident of northern or central California who completed or expects to complete high school (or equivalent) or community college sometime within July 1st (of the year five years prior to the application year) and June 30 of the application year; (B) LGBT+ graduates of Oakland Unified School District high schools; (C) Students pursuing a medical degree at an accredited medical school in California. Applicants of all sexual orientations and gender identities are eligible for most scholarships. Bear in mind that the eligibility requirements are somewhat different for each type of applicant/student. If you're a California student passionate about serving the LGBTQ+ community, we encourage you to apply!

Are you a student at Emory University who identifies as LGBTQ? The GALA Leadership Award may be a good scholarship opportunity for you! Emory University’s Office of LGBT Life offers this scholarship to promote the leadership development of LGBTQ students. It is one of three funds set up by generous alumni and friends of Emory University and the Office of LGBT Life to support this aspect of the office’s mission. The GALA Leadership Award provides ongoing financial support for student leadership opportunities. If you are a LGBTQ Emory student leader looking for development funding, we encourage you to apply!

The LGBTQ+ Safety in Schools Grant and Scholarship Program in Honor of Guy DeRosa is a fantastic opportunity to promote human and civil rights by making our public schools safe for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning+ persons. The grant program supports groups, projects, and presentations that promote understanding and respect for LGBTQ+ persons. Meanwhile, the scholarship program supports self-identified LGBTQ+ members pursuing a career in public education. Aspiring teachers and counselors enrolled in a credential or graduate program are encouraged to apply. Applicants may choose to apply for either the grant or scholarship and are welcome to include a short video, PowerPoint, or pictures to support their application. Keep on reading to learn more!

Are you interested in researching contemporary LGBTQIA+ issues? Consider applying for the Springfield Research Fund Dissertation Fellowship! This prestigious fellowship is open to graduate students at any stage of their dissertation who are interested in researching contemporary LGBTQIA+ issues in an effort to shatter stereotypes and eradicate prejudiced notions. The 2024 area of preference will be given to dissertation research that addresses intersectional stigmas. Learn more below!

Are you attending the Flatiron School and are from an underrepresented community or background? If so, consider applying for the Flatiron School Access Scholarship! The scholarship is open to underrepresented students enrolled in a Flatiron School program who are looking for financial assistance to afford their schooling costs. Eligible applicants include women, underrepresented minorities, people with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ+ students, and low-income students. Through the Access scholarship, the Flatiron School hopes to provide opportunities for students who are motivated despite the challenges they face. Thus, every year, select scholarship applicants are chosen to earn up to $5,000 to help cover tuition for full-time programs. If you are a Flatiron School student from an underrepresented community, we encourage you to apply!

Do you belong to a group (race, sexuality, disability, etc.) that has been historically underrepresented on study abroad programs? Further, are you currently attending a university that is a member of the IES Abroad Consortium? If both apply, consider applying to the David Porter Need-Based Diversity Scholarship! The scholarship is offered biannually, with deadlines on May 1st and November 1st of each year. Each application cycle, the scholarship awards up to $5,000 to two lucky applicants. In order to apply, students must apply to an IES Abroad Program and complete the connected application. The scholarship is offered by IES Abroad, an organization with a mission to “educate students to become global leaders through premier study abroad and internship programs.” If you belong to a historically underrepresented group and dream of studying abroad, we encourage you to apply to the David Porter Need-Based Diversity Scholarship!

Are you an LGBTQ+ or minority high school graduate who is now enrolled in a U.S. post-secondary institution? If so, consider applying for the SOULE Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship awards up to $5,000 to help eligible youth pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree. The scholarship is offered by The SOULE Foundation, an organization “designed to create an experience geared to support, develop and promote the educational advancement of LGBTQ youth and young people of color.” If you win the scholarship, bear in mind that you must attend the Soule Foundation Gala and be available for a photo/video shoot. If you’re a high school student from an underrepresented background who is currently in pursuit of a postsecondary degree, we encourage you to apply for the SOULE Scholarship!

Are you a LGBTQ+ individual with plans of pursuing a career in law enforcement? Look no further - the Out to Protect Scholarship may be a great opportunity for you! The scholarship is offered by Out to Protect, an organization dedicated to bringing greater awareness and understanding of LGBTQ+ individuals working in law enforcement. In June and December of each year, the scholarship awards $1,000 to an applicant currently attending a basic law enforcement training program. To apply, you must complete an application form and submit two letters of recommendation from academy staff or peers. If you fit the criteria and want to get some help paying for training costs, we encourage you to apply! Not only will you be helping yourself, but you’ll be helping others too.

The Diversity in Esthetics Scholarship for PCA Partner Schools is funded by Beauty Changes Lives, an organization focused on empowering the next generation of beauty professionals through scholarships, mentorship, and advanced education to build their confidence in the industry. Every year, their Diversity in Esthetics Scholarship for PCA Partner Schools awards $5,000 to one student from an underrepresented group who is entering or currently enrolled in an esthetics program at a PCA SKIN® Partner School. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.

Are you an LGBTQ+ individual, an ally, or a child or LGBTQ+ parents? Further, do you live in Illinois and will soon be attending a postsecondary educational institution? If so, you may be eligible for the Acorn Equality Fund Scholarships! Each year, the scholarships provide between $1,000 and $4,000 to eligible applicants. There are five separate scholarships available: The Acorn Scholarship, Central Illinois Friends Scholarship, Korty & Morton Scholarship, the Luke Scholarship, and the McKeon Scholarship. Just bear in mind that while you may apply to multiple scholarships, they all have separate applications and you may only receive a maximum of one scholarship. The scholarships are all funded by the Acorn Equality Fund, “a grassroots nonprofit organization that provides financial support for the advancement of education, health, and civil rights of LGBTQ+ persons and their allies.”  To find out if you’re from an eligible Illinois county, keep on reading! If you fit the criteria, we encourage you to apply and wish you luck!

The Pega Scholars Program is open to high school/secondary school seniors who graduate this school year or current college undergraduates residing in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Singapore, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, or the United States. Applicants must also belong to one or more of the following groups: women, LGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities, military veterans, and any ethnic or racial minority group.

The Prism Foundation Scholarship is a celebration of exceptional scholar activists who are making a positive impact on the API and LGBTQ+ communities. It's a reward for those who are dedicated to creating a better world for all. Applicants must be attending a post-secondary institution in the United States in the upcoming academic year (starting in the Fall of this current year) when applying. The application is open to students who attend community college, university, and trade/vocational school. Applicants should have a strong history of engagement within the API and/or LGBTQIA+ communities. Keep on reading to learn more!