LGBTQIA2S+ Youth Scholarships
eQuality Scholarship Collaborative
eQuality Scholarship Collaborative awards scholarships to honor and encourage California students for their service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/
- Scholarship Amount: $6,000
- Deadline to Apply: January 31, 2025
Flyer available for download below
2023: Q Licht (he), Scotts Valley High School
2022:
- Reyes Morales Warne (he), San Lorenzo Valley High School
- Lucia Umeki-Martínez (they), Watsonville High School
- Troy Alansalon (he/they), Marina High School
2021:
- Laurel Bowen (she/they), Pacific Grove High School
- Jane Hoffman (she), Santa Catalina School, Monterey
2020:
- Caleb Lennon (he), Cypress Charter High School
- Anonymous (he), Carmel High School
- Timm Redwood (he), Cabrillo College
2019: Andi Mellon, Cypress Charter High School
2018: Alexandra Rocha-Alvarez, Watsonville High School
2017: Isa Moreno, Watsonville High School
2012:
- Joaquin Garcia, Pacific Collegiate School
- Lucy Walters, Harbor High School
2011: Erika Kreeger, York School, Monterey
2009: Jacque Simmons, Watsonville High School
2008:
- Danielle Elizalde, Watsonville High School
- Sarananda Osheim, Harbor High School
2007: Grace Alvarez, Watsonville High School
Point Foundation
Flagship Scholarship
For students enrolled in a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree at an accredited college or university in the United States.
- Application Window: Sept. 10 – Dec. 5
Community College Scholarship
For students at a community college or in an associate degree program.
- Application Window: Nov. 21, 2024 – Feb. 20, 2025
BIPOC Scholarship
For LGBTQ-identified Black, Indigenous, and People of Color enrolled or intending to enroll at a US community college, four-year college, graduate, professional, or trade school.
- Application Window: Applications currently closed, but applications accepted each fall and spring.
Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County
- Scholarship Amount: Varies
- Application Opens: Late November
- Application Deadline: TBD
Pajaro Valley Pride Scholarship
Each year, Pajaro Valley Pride awards a scholarship(s) to a student or students based on their academic successes and those who have been highly active in social justice issues either on campus or in the general community.
- Scholarship Amount: Varies Year to Year (past awardees have received $1,000 – $1,500)
- Application Opens: TBD – see website for updates
Salinas Valley Pride Celebration LGBTQ+ Scholarship
Salinas Valley Pride Celebrations is proud to offer the only LGBTQ+ focused scholarship in Monterey County.
This scholarship is designed to honor LGBTQ+ students and allies who embody Salinas Valley Pride Celebration’s mission to create community and increase LGBTQ+ acceptance.
- Scholarship Amount: Varies Year to Year (In 2024, five $2,000 scholarships awarded)
- Application Opens: TBD – see website for updates
Stonewall Community Foundation
Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship
The Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship was established by Peggy Traub and Phyllis Dicker to encourage and support lesbians in their pursuit of higher education.
- Scholarship Amount: $4,000
- Application Opens: Spring 2025
The Aritzia Scholarship
Established by Aritzia, a fashion retailer with an innovative global platform, this scholarship supports LGBTQIA+ people in their pursuit of higher education.
Applicants must be current college or university students. High school seniors (rising college freshmen or first-year students) are not eligible to apply.
- Scholarship Amount: $5,000
- Application Opens: Spring 2025
Little Bird Scholarship for LGBTQ+ Immigrants
- Application Opens: TBD – sign up for notifications
Prism Foundation
Prism Foundation provides scholarships to empower outstanding students who are making a positive impact on the Asian & Pacific Islander and LGBTQIA+ communities.
- Scholarship Amount: $1,000 – $5,000
- Application Opens: Spring 2025
Federal Student Aid Scholarship Database
“Scholarships are gifts. They don’t need to be repaid. There are thousands of them, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations.”
Bold.org
Scholarship Application Resources
“Scholarship Applications Tips and Advice” – National Society of High School Scholars
Former NSHSS Scholarship Director, Dr. Susan Thurman, offers up some helpful tips for students applying for scholarships. These tips are relevant to students applying for any scholarship.
“How to Apply for Scholarships” – Sallie Mae
Get tips on college scholarship applications and choosing which scholarships to apply for.
Top 10 Tips for Writing Effective Scholarship Essays – Clackamas Community College
“When you are faced with the challenge of scholarship essay writing, remind yourself that the effort you put into writing your essay represents the chance to sell yourself to the scholarship committee. A winning scholarship essay is one that truly sets a particular applicant apart from the others. If you tell your story clearly and persuasively, you just might find yourself receiving a congratulatory letter from the scholarship committee!”