Scholarships For Transgender Students
Updated September 19, 2023 · 4 Min Read
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Transgender students can benefit from many forms of financial aid and resources at LGBTQ+ colleges. They also qualify for transgender scholarship opportunities. Professional associations, private foundations, and LGBTQ+ organizations support transgender students through scholarships of varying amounts.
College students should use scholarships and grants before applying for student loans since these awards do not require repayment. Our list of scholarships includes application information, deadlines, and scholarships for transgender students. This page also introduces transgender student resources.
What makes a transgender scholarship different from other scholarships? Transgender, queer, and gender-inclusive scholarships support students from diverse gender identities. Some scholarships set a minimum GPA or require proof of financial need. Others award scholarships to transgender students regardless of their academic performance.
Applicants can stand out by writing personal statements on their career goals, experience as an LGBTQ+ student, and their unique journey to higher education. Applicants should submit all required materials before the deadline.
Scholarships
With college costs continuing to rise, many students turn to scholarships and grants to cover the cost of a degree. As one of the most desirable forms of financial aid, scholarships offer free money with no repayment or service obligations. Transgender students qualify for many scholarships, including targeted opportunities for transgender and nonbinary students.
See below for a list of transgender scholarships and visit our LGBTQ+ scholarship page for more opportunities. Some scholarships may have passed their deadline, so check back to see when applications open again.
APS/IBM Research Internship for Undergraduate Women and Underrepresented Minorities
The scholarship supports STEM majors who identify as female, including trans women, and underrepresented minorities. The research internship encourages women and underrepresented minorities to pursue a graduate degree in science and engineering.
Award: $8,000
Deadline: February
Asian Pacific Islander Queer Women & Transgender Community Scholarship
The scholarship supports queer and trans Asian and Pacific Islander students. Applicants submit a cover letter, resume, personal statement, and recommendation letters. Recipients must pursue technical or professional training or higher education.
Award: $2,500
Deadline: February
Diversity Alliance of the Puget Sound Scholarship
The scholarship supports transgender, nonbinary, and other gender-diverse or gender-nonconforming students. Applicants must live in Washington state or attend a Washington program at the undergraduate or graduate level.
Award: $513
Deadline: July
Grand Rapids Trans Foundation Academic Scholarship
The scholarship supports transgender students earning a degree or certificate at an accredited institution. The fund encourages applications from students with non-cisgender identities who show financial need. Applicants must attend a school with a presence in Kent County, Michigan.
Award: Varies
Deadline: TBD
Pearl I. Young Scholarship
The scholarship supports students with a female gender identity, and nonbinary students at the University of North Dakota. Applicants for the space grant award should be STEM majors ideally working on a NASA-related research project.
Award: Varies
Deadline: February
Proyecto H.A.C.E.R. College Book Scholarship
The scholarship awards money to women and nonbinary students entering college. The fund helps recipients cover the cost of textbooks and supplies. Applicants submit four essays, high school transcripts, and a resume.
Award: Up to $1,000
Deadline: May
Society of Women Engineers Scholarship Program
With scholarships for first-year students and continuing undergraduate or graduate students, the Society of Women Engineers supports engineering majors at different levels. The scholarship encourages candidates who identify as female to apply. Applicants must pursue a degree in engineering, technology, or computing accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
Award: Varies
Deadline: May
The Intention Co. Scholarship Fund
Designed to motivate Black women to advance their education, the scholarship encourages trans and nonbinary students to apply. The fund does not consider GPA and test scores when awarding scholarships.
Award: $1,000
Deadline: TBD
TransgenderFirst College Scholarship
The scholarship provides funding for underserved transgender students. Applicants must identify as transgender, attend an accredited college or university in the U.S., and plan to earn a degree. The scholarship also requires U.S. citizenship.
Award: $2,500
Deadline: December
Trans Student Educational Resources Scholarship
The scholarship funds students attending an accredited college or university, including community college students and graduate students. Applicants must openly identify as trans, gender diverse, or nonbinary. The scholarship also requires financial need.
Award: Varies
Deadline: April
Transgender Student Resources and Support
Transgender students face unique issues in higher education, including finding trans-friendly colleges, promoting campus diversity, and fighting harassment and bigotry. The following sites offer resources, tips, and advice for trans students. These sites also connect students with support resources in their communities.
Genevieve Carlton
Genevieve Carlton holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University and earned tenure as a history professor at the University of Louisville. An award-winning historian and writer, Genevieve has published multiple scholarly articles and a book with the University of Chicago Press. She currently works as a freelance writer and consultant.
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