Tell Us Your Story
Have a great story? We'd like to share it with others in the LGBT community.
Tell UsQuestions and Answers
Help! I received an error or am having trouble with my online application. Who should I contact?If you require technical assistance or you have questions that are not answered on this page, please email [email protected] or call 1-800-735-7287.
Who are Pride Foundation Scholars?
Pride Foundation Scholars represent the LGBTQ and straight ally community across the Pacific Northwest and internationally. Our Scholars are strong and passionate leaders who share a strong desire to give back, incredible perseverance, and are focused on how education can improve their lives as well as their communities.
Our Scholars are very diverse in their educational pursuits, studying everything from nursing, fine art and welding, to theology, business and early childhood education. Their backgrounds are equally diverse, from being single parents to the first in a family to attend college, to the children of lesbian or gay parents.
What do we expect from our Scholar?
We want you to be successful, believe in yourself, and inspire others in your communities! We expect you to set a positive example of how, through perseverance, great achievements can occur. As a Pride Foundation Scholar, you will be a community steward and role model.
On occasion, we will ask for your help to promote scholarship applications to your peers or invite you to attend events as a Scholar to speak about your experiences.
We do ask that once you graduate or if any major life changes occur (positive or not so positive) that you share them with us. We also ask that you update us if your contact information changes so we can keep in touch (and invite you to things like the scholarship breakfast to represent alumni scholars!)
Is there a minimum GPA? Do I have to demonstrate financial need? What other criteria exist?
Pride Foundation provides post-secondary educational scholarships to current and future lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and straight-ally leaders and role models of all ages pursuing post-secondary education. Each scholarship has its own specific criteria. There is not a minimum GPA requirement. Students must have some demonstrated need, but the overall amount varies. We look for students who demonstrate commitment to social justice and LGBTQ concerns, exemplify leadership in their communities, and demonstrate the ability to be academically and personally successful.
How much is the average award amount?
Since students may be awarded more than one scholarship, total awards vary. Our largest scholarship is $10,000. The average award amount per recipient last year was approximately $3,300.
I do not have a computer. Do you have suggestions for how I could complete the online application?
There are several community resources that exist! We suggest you first see if your school has computer’s that you could use. School or community libraries are also a good place to visit as are community centers. NELA Centers for Student Success in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA have computers with Internet access and many local YMCA/YWCA’s have computer labs. If you have other resources to share or if you are not able to access the resources listed, please let us know.
I am straight. May I apply for scholarships?
Most of our scholarships are open to all persons regardless of sexual orientation. We believe that straight allies have a tremendous role to play in moving our society towards one of equality and understanding, thus we have funded a number of straight students over the years and will continue to do so.
Do you have to be a certain age to apply?
Our scholarships are open to any student, regardless of age, pursuing post-secondary education. Current high school students must be in their senior year before applying. We do not offer scholarships for elementary education, high school, or college prep programs. In past years, we have had applicants ranging in age from 16 (who have done Running Start and are now enrolled full-time in college early) to 65!
Do your scholarships cover community colleges, trade schools, graduate schools, certificate, or non-degree programs?
Yes! Our scholarships cover nearly any accredited post-secondary school or program. If you have questions about a specific school or program, please email [email protected]. Our scholarships cannot be used for private high school, prep schools, or similar programs.
If I am awarded a scholarship, does the money come directly to me?
No. If you are awarded a scholarship, the check(s) will be made out to your school and credited to your student account.
I have not been enrolled in school for a long time. Do you still need a transcript? Does it have to be an official copy or can I print it from my student account services (where available)?
You are required to provide a transcript regardless of the amount of time that has lapsed. You can provide us with an unofficial copy if available.
What can my scholarship be used for?
If I am awarded a scholarship, how can it be used?
You can apply your scholarship toward any of the following:
- Tuition
- Course, program, or student fees
- On Campus Room & Board charges
- School-organized study abroad programs
- Books or course supplies*
- Graduate research-related expenses*
*These items require prior approval from Pride Foundation
You cannot apply scholarship funds toward off-campus housing (rent/mortgage), personal expenses, transportation costs, dependent care, computer or software purchases (unless required by your program), or other expenses not listed above.
Scholarships must be utilized within two years of the award date. Your funds are sent directly to your school and cannot be released to you unless it is to cover items listed above.
I want to go to school outside of the U.S. Can I still apply?
Yes, as long as the school is an accredited educational institution it can be outside the U.S.
How do you define whether someone is a “resident” or not?
In order to be eligible for our scholarships you must be a resident of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington. Pride Foundation considers a person a “resident” of a state if they:
- Currently live within one of the five states and have done so for at least three months prior to the application deadline;
- Have lived within one of the five states for at least one year at any time within the five years prior to the application deadline (e.g., a student who is originally from the Northwest but is going to school in another state or country);
- Have lived within one of the five states for more than one year even if it was more than five years prior to the application deadline provided they have been continuously enrolled in an accredited academic institution for the past five years.
How strict are you on the due date?
To be fair to all applicants, we are very strict on the due date – applications must be postmarked by the due date and time. We cannot accept late applications or materials under any circumstance.
What happens once I submit my application? When will I find out if I am awarded a scholarship?
Once the scholarship deadline passes, we review all completed applications to determine finalists. This happens during February and March. In April, we invite finalists who make it past the initial review to participate in an interview. After interviews are complete, we determine which finalists will receive scholarships and award decisions are announced in early May. Scholarship awards are distributed beginning early June. Recipients can select any date within two years of being awarded a scholarship to have funds sent to their school.
Loading ...