26 LGBT Scholarships for College

Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students

Scholarships for LGBTQ+ students help reduce financial barriers for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning students pursuing higher education. These awards are designed not only to cover tuition and fees, but also to recognize the resilience, leadership, and contributions of LGBTQ+ students on their campuses and in their communities. Many programs are offered by national advocacy groups, local nonprofits, private foundations, and universities committed to equity and inclusion.

In addition to financial support, many LGBTQ+ scholarship programs provide mentorship, networking opportunities, leadership training, and access to supportive professional communities. Whether you are active in LGBTQ+ advocacy or simply seeking a welcoming, affirming environment to pursue your degree, there are scholarships tailored to a wide range of identities, backgrounds, and academic goals.

Are There Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students?

Yes, there are numerous scholarships and grants specifically for LGBTQ+ students at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels. Some programs are open broadly to all members of the LGBTQ+ community, while others may be tailored to particular identities (such as transgender students or LGBTQ+ students of color), academic majors, or geographic regions.

These awards are provided by universities, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, and private foundations to support the educational goals of LGBTQ+ students and promote equality in higher education. Many scholarships also welcome allies who have shown a sustained commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion, especially in schools and local communities.

Types of LGBTQ+ Scholarships and Grants

While requirements vary, most LGBTQ+ scholarships fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Merit-based scholarships: Recognize strong academic performance, leadership, or artistic achievement.
• Need-based awards: Focus on students who demonstrate financial need, often including first-generation college students.
• Community and advocacy scholarships: Reward students involved in LGBTQ+ activism, peer support, or community organizing.
• Identity-specific scholarships: Tailored to groups such as LGBTQ+ students of color, transgender or nonbinary students, or LGBTQ+ women.
• Field-specific scholarships: Support LGBTQ+ students in certain majors like STEM, education, healthcare, social work, or the arts.

Understanding which type of scholarship best fits your background and goals can help you prioritize where to focus your time and effort when applying.

What Is the Point Foundation Scholarship?

The Point Foundation Scholarship is one of the most prestigious and well-known scholarship programs for LGBTQ+ students in the United States. It is designed for students who not only excel academically but also show a strong commitment to leadership and community impact.

Eligibility requirements typically include:

• Identifying as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
• Exhibiting strong academic performance and leadership skills.
• Demonstrating involvement in LGBTQ+ advocacy, campus organizations, or community service.

Point Scholars receive financial support for college or graduate school, as well as mentorship from professionals in their field, leadership development opportunities, and access to a nationwide network of alumni and advocates. The program emphasizes long-term impact, helping students become visible role models and change-makers in their professions and communities.

What Is the PFLAG National Scholarship Program?

The PFLAG National Scholarship Program supports LGBTQ+ students and their allies who have worked to create more inclusive schools and communities. It is particularly well-known for recognizing youth who have demonstrated courage in the face of discrimination or who have led efforts to make their environments safer and more affirming.

Eligibility generally includes:

• Identifying as LGBTQ+ or being a committed ally.
• Enrolling in an undergraduate program at an accredited institution.
• Demonstrating a strong commitment to equality, inclusion, and support for LGBTQ+ people.

Scholarships typically range from $1,000 to $5,000 and may be supplemented by local PFLAG chapter awards. Applicants often submit personal essays, recommendation letters, and evidence of their advocacy or leadership work.

Are There Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Women?

Yes. A number of scholarship programs are created specifically to support LGBTQ+ women, including lesbian, bisexual, queer, and trans women, especially in fields where they have been historically underrepresented. These programs often emphasize leadership, activism, and academic achievement.

• Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice Scholarship: Supports lesbian and queer women pursuing higher education and engaged in social justice organizing or artistic work.
• Audre Lorde Scholarship: Awards for self-identified LGBTQ+ women of color who excel academically and demonstrate a commitment to intersectional activism and community leadership.

These scholarships aim to empower LGBTQ+ women by helping them access college and graduate programs, develop their voices, and assume leadership roles in their professions and communities.

What Is the LEAGUE Foundation Scholarship?

The LEAGUE Foundation Scholarship provides financial support for LGBTQ+ high school seniors who are planning to attend an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational school.

Eligibility typically includes:

• Identifying as LGBTQ+.
• Demonstrating academic achievement and community involvement.
• Submitting an essay, official transcripts, and letters of recommendation.

Awards generally range from $1,500 to $2,500, with several scholarships granted each year. LEAGUE looks for students who have contributed to LGBTQ+ visibility, inclusion, and safety in their schools or communities.

Are There Scholarships for Transgender Students?

Yes. Several scholarships focus specifically on supporting transgender and nonbinary students, acknowledging the unique barriers they may face in accessing safe, affirming educational spaces.

• Transgender First Scholarship: Provides financial support for transgender and nonbinary students pursuing higher education. Applications often focus on personal experiences, resilience, and educational goals.
• Jim Collins Foundation Scholarship: While best known for assisting with gender-affirming medical care, this foundation also helps transgender individuals reduce financial barriers that can affect educational success.

Many local LGBTQ+ centers and campus LGBTQ+ resource offices also offer smaller awards or emergency grants that can be especially helpful for trans and nonbinary students navigating housing, healthcare, or name and document changes while in school.

What Is the Gamma Mu Foundation Scholarship?

The Gamma Mu Foundation Scholarship supports gay men who demonstrate financial need, academic excellence, and leadership within the LGBTQ+ community. It is particularly known for supporting students from rural or underserved areas where LGBTQ+ resources may be limited.

Eligibility typically includes:

• Identifying as a gay male.
• Enrolling in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited institution.
• Demonstrating involvement in LGBTQ+ advocacy, volunteer work, or peer support.

Scholarship awards usually range from $1,000 to $5,000 annually and may be renewable depending on academic performance and continued community engagement.

Are There Scholarships for LGBTQ+ High School Students?

Many LGBTQ+ scholarships are open to high school seniors who plan to attend college, but some also support younger students engaged in activism and leadership. Programs like the LEAGUE Foundation, PFLAG National, and local LGBTQ+ organizations frequently award scholarships to students who have helped start GSAs (Gender and Sexuality Alliances), advocated for inclusive school policies, or promoted anti-bullying efforts.

In addition, some youth-focused awards recognize students for creative or academic work related to LGBTQ+ topics, such as essay contests, art competitions, or research projects. These early opportunities help students build a strong scholarship resume even before college.

Are There Corporate Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students?

Yes. Many large companies and professional organizations offer scholarships or fellowship programs aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ students, especially in high-demand fields such as technology, engineering, finance, and STEM.

• Google Lime Scholarship: Supports LGBTQ+ students with disabilities who are pursuing degrees in technology or engineering, often including invitations to networking events and recruitment programs.
• Prudential PRIDE Scholarship: Awards LGBTQ+ students who demonstrate leadership, academic excellence, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Out to Innovate Scholarship: Sponsored by NOGLSTP (National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals), this award supports LGBTQ+ STEM students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Corporate scholarships frequently combine financial support with internships, professional mentoring, and early access to job opportunities in competitive industries.

What Are Some University-Specific Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students?

Many colleges and universities have created campus-based LGBTQ+ scholarships to support students who contribute to inclusion and equity on campus. These awards may be funded by alumni, campus LGBTQ+ centers, or diversity offices.

• University of California LGBTQ+ Leadership Scholarship: Awards students who demonstrate outstanding leadership in LGBTQ+ organizations, peer support groups, or advocacy initiatives.
• Emory University LGBTQ+ Student Scholarship: Provides funding for LGBTQ+ students who have made significant contributions to campus diversity and inclusion efforts.
• University of Oregon LGBTQIA+ Scholarship: Supports LGBTQ+ students with financial need and a record of academic achievement and community involvement.

Because many campus-based scholarships are not widely advertised outside the institution, it is important to check with your university’s LGBTQ+ resource center, diversity office, or financial aid department for a full list of available awards.

LGBTQ+ Scholarships for Graduate and Professional Students

In addition to undergraduate awards, some programs specifically support LGBTQ+ students pursuing graduate or professional degrees in areas such as law, medicine, social work, public policy, and education. These scholarships help future leaders bring LGBTQ+ perspectives into influential professions.

• Law and public policy scholarships: Many LGBTQ+ bar associations and legal advocacy organizations offer scholarships for law students committed to civil rights and social justice.
• Healthcare and mental health scholarships: Programs may support LGBTQ+ medical, nursing, social work, or counseling students who plan to work with marginalized communities.
• Education and social sciences scholarships: Awards for future teachers, professors, or researchers focused on gender, sexuality, and equity in education or public policy.

Graduate-level scholarships often emphasize research, professional leadership, and a clear plan for advancing LGBTQ+ equity through one’s career.

How to Apply for LGBTQ+ Scholarships?

Applying for scholarships and grants for LGBTQ+ students is similar to other scholarship processes but often places extra emphasis on personal narrative, community involvement, and leadership. To strengthen your applications, you should:

• Write a Personal Statement: Share your experiences as an LGBTQ+ student, your journey of self-discovery, challenges you have overcome, and your long-term goals. Explain how receiving the scholarship will help you contribute to your community and field.
• Provide Letters of Recommendation: Ask teachers, mentors, counselors, employers, or community leaders who know your work well to write detailed endorsements. Recommenders who have seen your leadership or activism can add powerful context to your application.
• Submit Essays or Portfolios: Some scholarships require essays about topics related to diversity, inclusion, social justice, or LGBTQ+ advocacy. Others may invite portfolios of creative work, research, or community projects.
• Highlight Involvement: Include roles in GSAs, campus LGBTQ+ groups, volunteer work, peer support, or policy change efforts at your school or in your community.
• Meet Deadlines: Create a calendar or checklist to track application openings and due dates, and allow enough time for essay revisions and recommendation letters.

Applying to multiple scholarships over time significantly increases your chances of receiving funding and can help you build a strong network of mentors and peers.

Myth: LGBTQ+ Scholarships Are Only for Activists

Fact: While many scholarships prioritize applicants who are involved in advocacy or community leadership, not all LGBTQ+ scholarships require activism experience. Some awards focus primarily on academic merit, financial need, artistic talent, or interest in a particular major such as STEM, business, or the arts. Others welcome quiet leaders, emerging advocates, or students who are just beginning to explore their identity in safe and affirming spaces.

If you are an LGBTQ+ student who has not been publicly active in advocacy, you may still qualify for a wide range of scholarships. Emphasize your strengths, goals, and any ways—large or small—in which you support inclusion, empathy, and respect in your daily life. There is no single “right” way to be an LGBTQ+ scholarship recipient; what matters most is your potential, your story, and your commitment to learning and growth.