Top Scholarships & Key Resources for Transgender Students
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Helping students pay for and succeed in college is one of the most important things we can do. The following guide offers key resources and top scholarships for college students who are transgender.
Transgender students are more visible than ever on college campuses across the country. At the same time, though, many trans students continue to report struggles that make it difficult to achieve success.
These struggles are partially due to a lack of resources that most other students take for granted: social support, financial aid, career coaching, and more. These are vital to the college experience and go a long way toward improving overall health and well-being.
This guide is designed to help transgender students find the resources they need to make their dreams a reality. Included are valuable scholarship opportunities available today to transgender students, along with academic and career tools, options for social support and networking, and a few additional financial aid options.
Let’s get started.
Scholarships & Financial Aid for Transgender Students
College is a significant investment, and like many who study on campus or online, transgender students can struggle to cover tuition bills and other expenses. Scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities can help offset some of these costs.
Scholarships are by far the most popular. Unlike student loans, these awards do not need to be repaid and are often given to promising students by schools, private organizations, and nonprofits.
Grants function similarly and sometimes involve a research or service-related component.
Fortunately, there are a number of scholarship opportunities available for transgender students, including those interested in healthcare, medicine, and other related fields. The sections below list just a few of the awards you may want to consider.
General Scholarships
The League Foundation
$3,000
April
Eligibility
Available to applicants who are high school seniors who identify as LGBTQ. Must additionally have a 3.0 or higher GPA and be a U.S citizen planning to attend an accredited college or university within the U.S. or Canada.
How to Apply
Follow the application link on the scholarships website. Submittals include transcripts, two personal essays, two letters of recommendation, and evidence of significant involvement in community service.
The Stonewall Foundation
Up to $25,000 over two years
Typically June or July
Eligibility
Any undocumented LGBTQ student or refugee attending an accredited institution in New York City may apply. All applicants must be rising sophomores with a cumulative GPA or 3.25 or higher.
How to Apply
Apply online via the link on the scholarship webpage.
The League Foundation
Varies
April
Eligibility
Any LGBTQ student currently attending an accredited post-secondary institution in North America may apply.
How to Apply
Qualified applicants must demonstrate a competitive GPA and provide personal essays (as specified by the scholarship committee) and two reference letters from non-family members.
Point Foundation – National LGBTQ Scholarship Fund
Varies
Typically December
Eligibility
Applicant must be enrolled in a four-year accredited U.S. college and identify as a member of the LGBTQ community.
How to Apply
Complete the online application via the scholarship website. Supplemental materials include academic records, personal essays, and letters of recommendation.
Selected semi-finalists may be asked to provide additional materials and will be subject to a phone interview.
The Pride Foundation
Up to $12,500
January
Eligibility
LGBTQ students who reside in Alaska, Montana, Oregon, or Washington may apply. Applicant must be pursuing a post-secondary education in a named field of study (including medicine and healthcare.)
How to Apply
Through a convenient online portal, students complete one application that instantly puts them into consideration for over 60 different awards.
Medical and Health Scholarships
Cherokee Uniforms
$10,000
March
Eligibility
Applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited nursing program and actively attending classes on a full- or part-time basis.
How to Apply
Apply online using the application portal on the scholarship website. Complete the application form and provide personal, academic, and career information as required.
Pacific Medical Training
$1,000
December
Eligibility
This award supports students attending a healthcare related program at an accredited university. Examples include campus-based and online physician assistant programs, nurse practitioner programs, medical assistant programs, and paramedic programs.
How to Apply
Complete the online application via the scholarship website. Submittals include an argumentative essay discussing emergency medical care.
AvaCare Medical
$1,000
December
Eligibility
Open to students with a 3.0 or higher GPA and enrolled at an accredited U.S. college or university. Applicant’s course of study must be in a healthcare field like nursing, medicine, nutrition, or dentistry.
How to Apply
Follow the instructions on the scholarship webpage. Submittals include transcripts, background information, and a video or essay that discusses an inspirational act of kindness.
eQuality
$6,000
January
Eligibility
Available to high school students with demonstrated service to the LGBTQ community. All applicants must plan to attend college in the year in which they apply.
How to Apply
Apply to specific awards via the online portal on the eQuality website.
HOSA, in partnership with Tallo
$500 to $2,000
April (national scholarships); Varies (state-level scholarships)
Eligibility
Open to HOSA member who are students interested in careers in healthcare and medicine. Possible fields include dentistry, nursing, occupational therapy, allied health, public health, and others.
How to Apply
Apply via the online form accessed on the scholarship website. Submittals include academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal essay, and activity history.
5 Keys to Landing Your Scholarship
Finding good scholarship opportunities is only the first step in the process. Next, you have to apply to and win the ones you’re eligible for.
And to do that, you’ll need your applications and supporting materials to be the very best they can be, which means good enough to convince scholarship selection committees that you’re the applicant that deserves their award.
Below are five actions you can take to help you do just that:
- Key #1: Apply for local scholarships
Most of the scholarships discussed above are national awards, which are great. But don’t neglect smaller, local scholarship opportunities that often come with fewer applicants, which means less competition and better odds of winning. - Key #2: Do your research and highlight your strengths
Anytime you apply for a scholarship you should do your due diligence. Research the sponsor’s history, mission, and purposes for offering the scholarship.
If the application requires an essay, highlight your individual strengths and try to connect them to the sponsor’s goals. - Key #3: Speak with references in advance
Many scholarships require references or recommendation letters. Discuss the opportunity with your references in advance to make sure you are on the same page regarding letter content.
If the scholarship requires a personal essay, have your recommenders read your completed essay before they write their letters to coordinate essay and recommendation letter content. - Key #4: Proofread and stick to the limits
Proofread, always! An application with even one typo or error can be enough to sink your chances of winning, especially with highly-competitive contests.
Likewise, if the scholarship application includes word or page count limits, be sure to stick strictly to those limits. You want your application to be a good reflection of your ability to follow instructions precisely. - Key #5: Apply early and often
Apply to more scholarships than you think you need. There are quite a few scholarships out there, so more submissions will increase your chances of winning one – or maybe even a few.
And submitting applications early shows initiative and reduces your chances of running into last minute logistical issues.
College Resources for Transgender Students
Scholarships and other forms of financial aid can be critical to the success of any trans college student, but achieving success throughout their studies and beyond requires more. Below are links and descriptions for just a few of the many quality resources specifically designed to help transgender students succeed.
Academic & Career
- National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE): LGBTQ Resources
NACE’s LGBTQ portal provides information to help transgender students and potential employers combat the unique challenges trans students face as they prepare to enter the workforce. These tools include career services, talent acquisition and recruiting, and media resources. - Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER)
TSER works to promote the well-being of transgender students through workshops, policy initiatives, and conferences. The organization offers safe school training seminars and engages in media efforts designed to increase transgender justice in education. - U.S. Department of Education – Office for Civil Rights
The Office of Civil Rights offers resources designed to protect transgender students and support their success. These resources include current policy initiatives and court filings, case resolutions, and tools for equal employment opportunities.
Social & Networking
- FORGE
FORGE provides supportive services to sexual assault survivors. It hosts regional training events, sponsors relevant publications, and maintains an extensive directory of tools and resources for transgender students. - It Gets Better Project
Founded in 2010, this nonprofit organization strives to connect and empower LGBTQ youth around the globe. It offers hope and encouragement by promoting success stories and advancing social media campaigns designed to raise public awareness of LGBTQ-related issues. - Susan’s Place
Social network and peer support group specifically created for transgender people. Susan’s Place aggregates recent and relevant news and hosts a collaborative Wiki maintained by its users.
Advocacy & Diversity
- GLAAD
Premier LGBTQ advocacy organization that promotes the full acceptance and success of all LGBTQ people by raising awareness and fighting discrimination in the media. GLAAD hosts an active blog, facilitates public dialogue, and generates a variety of resources and publications. - Human Rights Campaign
The largest national LGBTQ civil rights organization, HRC works to achieve full equality and inclusion of LGBTQ people. It promotes responsibility, equity, and intersectionality through fundraising efforts and media campaigns, provides resources for transgender persons in need of assistance, and more. - Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE)
A4TE advances transgender equality nationwide by driving policy change. Site visitors can access a range of resources, including self-help guides for transgender people on subjects like healthcare and legal services. - PFLAG
PFLAG works to connect queer people, family members, and allies. It thrives on various grassroots efforts and supports local chapters across the country, aggregates relevant news, and promotes lifelong learning through community engagement. - Transgender Law Center
Nonprofit organization offering legal support to transgender individuals affected by discrimination and inequality. It provides tools to connect transgender people with legal counsel and crafts agenda material surrounding topics like racial injustice, immigration, healthcare, and employment.
Healthcare Education
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health
Housed within the University of California San Francisco, this organization increases access to quality healthcare services for transgender persons. The nonprofit supports comprehensive, cost effective care and engages in national advocacy efforts to improve overall health and well-being. - GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality
Based in Washington, D.C., GLMA connects healthcare professionals interested in promoting LGBTQ equality in the field, offers advocacy resources to its members, and hosts an annual conference. Many professionals rely on its LGBTQ Health Handbook. - National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center
This organization provides educational resources and consultation to healthcare providers in order to optimize quality care for LGBTQ individuals. Resources include webinars, videos, learning modules, publications, and more. - Pride in Practice
Pride in Practice facilitates LGBTQ healthcare education by empowering providers to give better care to transgender persons. It operates several patient hotlines, offers continuing education opportunities for healthcare professionals, and provides printable guides designed to raise LGBTQ healthcare awareness. - World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)
International, interdisciplinary organization advancing evidence-based care, education, and research in transgender health. It offers a provider directory for prospective patients and engages in a broad range of education and advocacy efforts across the globe.
