Monday, November 18, 2013

Pride Foundation & Greater Seattle Business Association scholarships for LGBTQ and Allied students

The Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) Scholarship Fund awards educational scholarships to undergraduate LGBTQ and Allied students who exhibit leadership potential, demonstrate strong academic abilities, and who are actively involved in school and community organizations.

General eligibility
·         Washington State Resident
·         For new applicants, pursuing an undergraduate degree
·         For current or previous GSBA scholars, pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree

While the majority of the GSBA scholarships do not require any additional criteria, they also have several scholarships that do. In addition to meeting the above criteria, GSBA has special funds to support students:
  • Who attend the University of Washington (a full year’s tuition and fees)
  •  Who have close ties to Arizona—attend school in Arizona or have family there
  •  Whose studies will lead to, or help continue, a career serving people who are living with HIV and AIDS.  This can be a career in science, social work, medicine or advocacy
  •  Who are seeking an undergraduate degree in computer science, computer engineering or a related technical discipline such as electrical engineering, math, or physics—and demonstrate an interest in computer science
  •   Who is studying education and plan to pursue a career in teaching
  • Who participates in singing, chorus, and/or theatre
  •   Who are Jewish
  • Who was born outside of the United States or is the first generation in their family to be born within the United States
  • Who served in the US Military
  •  Who is studying classical music
  •  Who is working towards a career in health sciences, medicine, dentistry or pharmacology

The GSBA and the Pride Foundation collaborate closely and use the same online application form. Students can apply at: http://thegsbascholarship.org/application.php. Students can also access the same application from the Pride Foundation’s website: http://www.pridefoundation.org/what-we-do/scholarships/apply/.

The Pride Foundation also provides post-secondary educational scholarships to current and future leaders in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ), and straight ally community from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The following are required criteria for all Pride Foundation and Greater Seattle Business Association scholarships:

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; or
·         have lived within that state for more than one year at any time and have been continuously enrolled in an accredited academic institution for the five years prior to the application deadline.
LGBTQ Community Involvement:
Preference is given to students who are self-identified LGBTQ, members of LGBTQ families, or straight allies who have been strongly supportive of the LGBTQ community. All scholarships emphasize demonstrated commitment to equality and civil rights for all people.

Pursing 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.


Application deadline for both organizations is Jan. 15, 2014.