Top scholarships for LGBTQ+ students

The LGBTQ+ Pride Scholarship is awarded to academically excellent students engaged with LGBTQ+ issues, who are excited to expand Rochester's passionate and diverse community, inclusive of sexual and gender identities. Completion of the LGBTQ+ Pride Scholarship Application is required for consideration. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Arent Fox Diversity Scholarships will be awarded to rising second-year law students in good standing, at an ABA-accredited law school in the U.S. Applicants must be scheduled to graduate in 2026. Applicants must also have excellent college and law school academic performance; excellent oral and written communication skills; have demonstrated leadership qualities, work experience, and community involvement; be authorized to work in the US; and be a member of a diverse population that historically has been underrepresented in the legal profession. ArentFox Schiff defines diversity broadly, including gender, race or ethnicity, LGBTQ+, disability, first generation, veteran status, socioeconomic status, and any other historically underrepresented category. Applicants must also have a strong interest in joining the Firm as an associate after law school graduation. Applicants must submit a legal writing sample that must be exclusively their own work. The sample may be from your legal writing course in law school. Three references, professional or academic references, are also required. Letters of recommendation are optional. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews will be scheduled throughout the summer. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The University of San Francisco School of Management LGBTQ Merit Award is open to an outstanding applicant(s) who demonstrates service to or achievement in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender community. Applicants may identify as a member or ally of the LGBTQ community. Merit scholarships are awarded to students who have demonstrated superior academic and/or professional achievements and outstanding talent or commitment to extracurricular activities, community service, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information about the application process.

The Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship was established by Peggy Traub and Phyllis Dicker to encourage and support lesbians in their pursuit of higher education. This program provides one-year scholarships to several students graduating high school or already enrolled in college in any year of study, including graduate school. The application consists of 3 short essay questions. Submissions are judged on academic achievement, community service and leadership, and commitment to impacting LGBTQ issues. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Dr. Anita Voogt Family Scholarship is open to full or part-time students who are current residents of Long Branch, preferably a Long Branch High School graduate. This scholarship is open to all majors with a grade of C or better. Preference is given to first-generation students, single parents, transgender, and female in STEM programs. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Jennifer Leonard Scholarship was established by former IRE president David Cay Johnston to honor his wife, Jennifer Leonard, the president of the Rochester Area Community Foundation and a national leader in promoting ethical standards for endowments before she retired in 2022. Applicants must be women of modest means who are college journalism students or early-career professional journalists (three years or less of post-college work experience). Women of color and trans women are encouraged to apply. The applicant's LinkedIn page or link to their resume is required. Students must submit their college transcript. Journalists must submit two clips of their investigative or journalistic work, if applicable. A letter of support from the applicant's supervisor, manager, or adviser describing how this training would be beneficial and affirming that the applicant will be given time to attend the training may also be submitted. For independent journalists, this letter will serve as a recommendation letter. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Blueshore Women in Computing Science is open to full-time undergraduate students who self-identify as women or non-binary, are enrolled in the School of Computing Science, and have demonstrated financial need. The bursary will be administered by the Office of Financial Aid and Awards and granted by the Senate Undergraduate Awards Adjudication Committee.

The Network for LGBTQIA+ Concerns in OT Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to those who will pursue a Post-Baccalaureate Degree. Applicants must be members of the local campus Lesbian/Gay/Bi/Transgender (LGBT) organization. Applicants must be currently enrolled at an AOTA-accredited or developing professional level (master's or OTD) or occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program. First-year OT students may apply. Applicants will need three total references: an academic reference, a character reference, and a reference from their OT Program Director. The academic reference should be from a current faculty member or faculty advisor who can speak about the applicant's academic ability. The character reference should be someone who can speak to the applicant's character. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the American Occupational Therapy Foundation for more information.

Cards Against Humanity will award the Science Ambassador Scholarship to undergraduate women and non-binary students in science, technology, engineering, or math. Applicants must be a high school senior or an undergraduate college student to apply. They do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply but they do need to attend college (or plan to attend college) in the United States or a United States Territory. They must film a three-minute educational video of themselves explaining a STEM topic they are passionate about. The video should be a mini-lecture, not a personal statement. Students must pretend they are a lecturer speaking to a class. The video must be clear, creative, accurate, and a demonstration of the applicant's passion for the subject. The video doesn't need to be fancy or high-tech. Production value is not a factor. The video must be three minutes or less in length. The video may be about any STEM topic, not necessarily the applicant's field of study. Applicants must pick a topic that excites and fascinates them. The video must be scientifically accurate. Applicants are encouraged to cite the sources used to research their topic. They can use any citation format they'd like. The video must be uploaded to YouTube and marked 'public.' Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.