GSBA awards educational scholarships to LGBTQ+ and cisgender/straight-ally students who are committed to making a difference in the world. Our scholarships range up to $13,000 annually and are meant to provide significant support as you pursue your educational goals.
Step 1: Determine Eligibility
Undergraduate Students:
1. To receive a GSBA Scholarship, you must be a Washington State resident.* However, since GSBA shares an application with Pride Foundation, those residing in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington are encouraged to apply. Both GSBA and Pride Foundation scholars may study at any accredited college or university.
.tmb-medium.jpg?sfvrsn=2290634f_1 "2019 Scholars Dinner_Photo Credit Malcolm Smith Photography_ (182)")
*Applicants are considered a resident if they:
Currently live in that state and have done so for at least three months prior to the application deadline; or have lived in that state for at least one year at any time in the five years prior to the application deadline; or have lived in 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.
2. Preference is given to students who identify as LGBTQ+, members of LGBTQ+ families, or cisgender/straight allies who've been supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. All applicants must be able to demonstrate a commitment to equality and human rights for all. The GSBA scholarship application includes an essay in which applicants are asked to describe their involvement and leadership within the LGBTQ+ community.
3. Applicants must be pursuing an undergraduate degree. Students should be enrolled in community colleges, four-year public or private colleges or universities, or vocational/technical/trade programs. 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.
Graduate Students
1. Applicants must have been a GSBA Scholar while working towards an undergraduate degree.
2. Applicants must have had a cumulative GPA of 3.0+ upon completion of an undergraduate degree.
3. Applicants must be earning a graduate degree in alignment with the
GSBA Mission.
Step 2: Apply
Each year, the scholarship application becomes available online on October 11 (National Coming OutDay) and must be submitted by the second Friday of January by 5:00 pm PST. You will need a valid email to create an account. Once your account is created you can work on your application over several sessions. Follow this link to apply.
Step 3: Wait
A team of scholarship application review volunteers will individually review and rate each application on the basis of the evaluation criteria. Each team will then select the individuals they feel best exemplify the selection criteria. ALL applicants will be notified in mid-to-late March to let them know whether or not they have been invited to interview. If you have questions about the status of your application, please contact the GSBA Scholarship team.
While you are waiting, you can search for the institutions you have applied to at Campus Pride and see how they compare on LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Step 4: Interview & Selection
Applicants who are selected as semi-finalists, will be invited to interview in early-April. The team of volunteer interviewers will then make their selection as to who will be awarded a GSBA Scholarship. Scholars will be awarded at GSBA's annual Scholars Dinner in mid-May.
Evaluation Criteria
The GSBA Scholarship Fund considers six areas of evaluation when reviewing scholarship applications.
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Community Participation
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Most applicants identify as a member of more than one community, including but not limited to LGBTQ+, racial/ethnic communities, religious, and/or social groups. Does the applicant demonstrate a knowledge of and involvement in at least one of their communities? Do they explain how they came to be involved and what values they have learned from that involvement? If their situation does not allow for such opportunities, do they have other priorities that supersede such involvement? Have they expressed these priorities?
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LGBTQ+ Community
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Challenges
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Many applicants have dealt with challenges in their lives, but most important is how they have addressed and/or overcame these challenges. Did the applicant provide an example of one challenge they may have faced? Did they express how they addressed, persevered, and/or overcame this particular challenge or how they are continuing to address it?
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Additional Barriers
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LGBTQ+ people often experience oppression, which can be compounded by their inclusion in multiple marginalized communities. A core philosophy of GSBA is expanding the level of access to education among all LGBTQ+ people and allies, including people who are economically, racially, socially, geographically, or politically disenfranchised. Does the applicant identify within one or more communities that might further intensify their marginalization?