Pride Foundation’s scholarship program is committed to supporting LGBTQ and allied students that:
Show leadership potential either within the LGBTQ community and/or within their field of study;
Lack a broader LGBTQ community support system;
Face additional barriers to educational access, including students who are economically, racially, socially, geographically, or politically disenfranchised.
Demonstrate significant financial need
The Pride Foundation offers more than 50 different scholarships. A single application is used to apply for all of the scholarship programs. Scholarships are available to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and straight-ally (straight and supportive of LGBT issues) students as well as students raised by LGBT families. Applicants must be residents of the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho or Alaska), but may study anywhere in the United States. All of the scholarships emphasize a commitment to human and civil rights. Some of the scholarships have a particular focus, such as scholarships for students studying law, enrolled in Vocational/Technical programs, or for students with a background in leadership activities or participatory athletics. The Pride Foundation particularly encourages applications from LGBT students of color. (A complete list of the scholarships is available on the Pride Foundation web site.) There are scholarships available to support students at every educational level, including vocational/technical schools, community colleges, 4-year undergraduate colleges and graduate school. The scholarships range from $500 to $10,000.
Eligibility
The following are required criteria for all Pride Foundation scholarships:
1. Northwest Residency: Applicants must be a resident of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington but may study elsewhere. Applicants are considered a resident of one of these states if they:
currently live within that state and have done so for at least three months prior to the application deadline; or
have lived within that state for at least one year at any time within the five years prior to the application deadline.
2. Pursuing Post-Secondary Education: Applicants must be pursuing post-secondary education. This includes community college, four year public or private college or university, certificate programs, vocational/technical/trade programs, law school, medical/dental/veterinary school, or graduate education. Current college students and those individuals planning to enroll in a program next year are eligible as are current high school seniors. High school freshman, sophomores, or juniors are not eligible nor are individuals who are not planning to enroll in higher education next year