8 top scholarships for LGBTQ+ students

LGBTQ+ students and allies who are heavily involved in the community have a variety of scholarship opportunities to look into. While many are based on financial need, others consider your academic record and leadership skills instead.

How we chose these scholarships

When choosing these scholarships, we focused on options that celebrated students who were leaders in the LGBTQ+ community. We also looked for scholarships that offered a large payout and were based on both merit- and need-based criteria.

Point Foundation Scholarship

• Amount

  Up to $13,500

• Deadline

  January 28th

• Eligibility requirements

  To qualify for this scholarship, you need to meet the following requirements:

  • “Out” as a person who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community
  • Enrolled in or intending to enroll in an accredited college or university based in the US
  • Enrolled full time in a degree-granting undergraduate, graduate or doctoral program
  • At least a senior in high school
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Proven track record of leadership and community involvement
  • Strong academic record
  • Working for the betterment of the LGBTQ community
  • Willing to fly to LA for an in-person interview — travel expenses will be covered

Things we love about the Point Foundation Scholarship: It’s open to a wide range of applicants, international students are welcome and it awards a decent chunk of change. This scholarship program is designed to cover any remaining financial need — up to $13,500 — after you’ve exhausted all other grant, scholarship, loan and work-study options. Aside from considering your financial need, the committee is also looking for a proven track record of leadership and community involvement, strong academic achievement and students who’ve worked to better the LGBTQ community.

Live Out Loud Young Trailblazers Scholarship

• Amount

  $10,000

• Deadline

  March 31st

• Eligibility requirements

  To qualify for this scholarship, you need to meet the following requirements:

  • Graduating high school senior
  • Identify as LGBTQ
  • From the tri-state area — New York, Connecticut or New Jersey
  • Pursuing a degree from an accredited college, university, or technical or vocational program
  • Demonstrate financial need

Graduating high school seniors from the tri-state area won’t want to pass up this sizable scholarship. Offered by the Live Out Loud Foundation, this program is designed to help LGBTQ youth with financial need pursue a college degree. Applicants are considered based on their past leadership and community service involvement, academic credentials and future goals.

PFund Foundation Scholarship

• Amount

  $1,000 to $10,000

• Deadline

  March

• Eligibility requirements

  To qualify for this scholarship, you need to meet the following requirements:

  • At least 17 years old
  • Identify as LGBTQIA
  • Attend any postsecondary school or show investment in the LGBTQIA community by seeking to develop your leadership skills and maintain your work as a community activist by attending conferences and workshops

The PFund Foundation Scholarship is open to such a wide range of people, you don’t even need to be enrolled in college to qualify. Anyone who can show proof they want to develop their leadership skills to further support their local LGBTQIA community is encouraged to apply. Aside from completing an application, you need to provide two letters of recommendation from mentors or community members who can speak to your commitment to leadership in LGBTQIA communities.

Pride Foundation Scholarship

• Amount

  Up to $12,000

• Deadline

  January

• Eligibility requirements

  To qualify for this scholarship, you need to meet the following requirements:

  • Resident of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon or Washington or lived in one of these states for at least a year within the past five years
  • Identify as LGBTQ+ or an ally
  • At least a high school senior
  • Enrolled in or planning to enroll in an accredited postsecondary institution or program

The Pride Foundation Scholarship is geared toward LGBTQ+ and allied student leaders in the Northwest looking to further their education. Unlike some scholarships, the funds can even be used for graduate school. Preference is given to students who show financial need and have a barrier to accessing education. You also must demonstrate leadership potential either within the LGBTQ+ community or your area of study.

Rainbow Scholarship

• Amount

  Up to $10,000

• Deadline

  September 10th

• Eligibility requirements

  To qualify for this scholarship, you need to meet the following requirements:

  • Identify as LGBTQ+
  • US citizen, permanent resident or DACA recipient
  • Undergraduate student at a US college or university
  • Enrolled in a study abroad program that’s eligible for credit and at least four weeks long

The Rainbow Scholarship is unique in that it’s specifically designed to help LGBTQ+ college students pay for a study abroad program. You must be eligible to earn credit for the program, however, and it must be at least four weeks long. Along with the application, you also need to submit financial information from your school’s financial aid office and a letter of recommendation from a mentor, professor or supervisor.

Out to Innovate Scholarship for LGBTQ+ Students

• Amount

  $5,000

• Deadline

  June 1st

• Eligibility requirements

  To qualify for this scholarship, you need to meet the following requirements:

  • Completed at least two years of study at an accredited school
  • 3.0 GPA or higher
  • Declared major in an accredited STEM or STEM-related teaching field
  • Promote LGBTQ inclusion and visibility
  • Not under any disciplinary action with your school

Pursuing a STEM degree? This scholarship is for you. Offered by the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals, its mission is to encourage students to be out in their careers and support diversity in the STEM workforce. Two scholarships are awarded each year to an undergraduate and graduate student, and funds can be used for both education expenses and research.

SOULE Scholarship

• Amount

  $2,500

• Deadline

  April 8th

• Eligibility requirements

  To qualify for this scholarship, you need to meet the following requirements:

  • High school senior who identifies as an LGBTQ person of color
  • From the tri-state area — New York, Connecticut or New Jersey
  • Pursuing a degree from an accredited college or university

LGBTQ persons of color from the tri-state area will want to pay extra attention to this scholarship. Up to three awards are given each year to applicants with strong leadership skills, community service involvement and academic credentials who can demonstrate financial need. Unlike other scholarships on this list, funds are disbursed both to you and your school — with $1,500 paid directly to you and $1,000 paid to your college. This means you can use this scholarship to cover education expenses outside of tuition and fees.

Hampton Roads Pride Scholarship

• Amount

  $1,600

• Deadline

  April 1st

• Eligibility requirements

  To qualify for this scholarship, you need to meet the following requirements:

  • Identify as LGBTQ or an ally
  • Enrolled in or accepted to an accredited US postsecondary institution
  • GPA above 3.0

For over 10 years, the Hampton Roads Pride Scholarship Program has awarded more than $60,000 in scholarships to LGBTQ students and allies. Four recipients are chosen each year based on factors like your service to the LGBTQ community, extracurriculars and educational goals. Though the organization is based out of Norfolk, Virginia, you don’t need to be local to apply.

How else can I pay for school?

Didn’t get enough scholarship money? Here are a few other options for covering your education expenses:

• Federal grants. Similar to scholarships, grants don’t need to be paid back. The federal government offers several programs, including the need-based Pell Grant and the TEACH Grant to students pursuing a degree in education.
• Federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Provided through the Department of Education (DoE), subsidized and unsubsidized loans are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. While these typically come with the lowest rates of federal loans, there are limits to how much you can borrow.
• Federal PLUS Loans. Also provided through the DoE, PLUS Loans are open to dependent and graduate students, as well as parent borrowers. They’re ideal for covering gaps in funding after you’ve maxed out your subsidized and unsubsidized options.
• Private student loans. Once you’ve exhausted your federal loan options, you might want to look into private student loans. These are best saved for last, since they tend to come with higher rates and less-flexible repayment options.

Compare private student loan offers

Bottom line

Whether you’re an LGBTQ+ student or an ally in the community, you have a variety of options when it comes to free money for college. And if you’re interested in learning more ways to fund your degree, take a look at our A-to-Z list of scholarships and our guide to student loans.

Frequently asked questions

• How do I start applying for scholarships?

  Every scholarship has its own application process, so visit the organization’s website for specific directions. Some might require you to fill out the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to demonstrate financial need, but not all.

• Do scholarship funds have to be repaid?

  No, the best part of scholarships is that they don’t need to be repaid. However, if you’re unable to fulfill the requirements of the scholarship, such as keeping a minimum GPA or remaining a full-time student, you could be required to return the funds you’ve already received.

• Can I use my scholarship funds for expenses outside of my education?

  It depends on the individual scholarship. Some might send the funds directly to your school to be applied to your tuition and fees. Others might send you a check directly. In this case, you can use the funds to cover things like living expenses, assuming your tuition and fees are paid for by a different funding source.