The GSBA Scholarship Program 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. Our scholars represent a diverse group of students who have dreams of making our community and the world a better place; and each of them possesses the skills, talents, and dedication to make those dreams a reality.

GSBA realizes that today's students are tomorrow's leaders and is committed to supporting our community's future leaders by providing financial resources, role-modeling and hope to outstanding LGBTQA students.

ELIGIBILITY:

The 2 eligibility requirements to apply for a GSBA Scholarship are:

• You are currently a resident of the State of Washington
• You are pursuing an undergraduate degree. (You may attend any college in the US)

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Our three main selection criteria are:

• Leadership potential
• Academic Strength/Special skills and talents
• Diversity

We are looking for diverse individuals who have proven leadership skills, strong academic achievement, and a commitment to making a positive difference in the world. All applicants will be evaluated on the totality of their experience, including academics, involvement in school and community activities, personal challenges, personal and professional goals, and their vision for the future.

You do not have to be LGBTQ to apply; but you do need to have a history of leadership and involvement with LGBTQ groups within your school or community, with a future goal of working within or working with the LGBTQ community.

Apply for a GSBA Scholarship



Our scholarship program was started in 1990 by 2 teachers who realized there was a huge need to support students who, because of their sexual orientation, were often discriminated against in school, disowned by their families and shunned by their friends. These were students who had the ability and drive to be successful in college, but who didn’t have the money or support to go to college. The GSBA Scholarship Program was created to help these disenfranchised young people reach their educational goals,

Over the years, the GSBA Scholarship Program has expanded its reach and its mission. It now awards scholarships to students of any age who are LGBTQ or who come from LGBTQ families, or allied students who are committed to working in or with the LGBTQ community.


GSBA is proud of its collaboration with the Pride Foundation. In 1993, the Pride Foundation started its own Scholarship Fund and joined forces with GSBA. This collaboration enables students to complete one application to apply for scholarships from both organizations.

Although the application and interview process is a joint effort, both organizations are independent in terms of fundraising, interviewing, and the actual granting of scholarship awards.


GSBA has granted more than 249 scholarships totaling over $806,000 since the program’s inception in 1990. Together with the Pride Foundation, both organizations have given out more than $2.2 million dollars to LGBTA students.

GSBA scholarships range in size from $3,000 to $10,000 and are meant to provide significant support to students who have little support from other sources. It is our on-going goal to expand the number and the diversity of applications we receive and to increase the amount of money we award. We recognize the fact that the cost of education continues to rise and it is our goal to ensure that the financial support we provide at least keeps pace with continuing hikes in tuition.

The GSBA Scholarship Program exists only because so many individuals and organizations within our community have given their time and their dollars to support our scholars. And we are always looking for new people who want to become involved in supporting this amazing program.

Learn about the different ways you can support our students.
Download our current Annual Report (PDF)
Download our current Scholarship Yearbook (PDF)

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