Scholarships for Youth Engagement
Each year, the PFLAG Washburn-Chequamegon Bay awards up to three Ashland and Bayfield County high school seniors a scholarship of $1000 each. The recipients of these awards are those who demonstrate a contribution to equality for all people through initiatives that advocate for, support, or educate the community related to the needs of underrepresented populations, including the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other (LGBTQ+) communities.
This scholarship is open to all Ashland and Bayfield County high school seniors regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Example Applicant Activities
• Been active in the formation or continuation of a Gay Straight Alliance.
• Consistently used LGBTQ+ materials in his/her/their coursework.
• Organized an event promoting equality and safety for LGBTQ+ and/or other underrepresented groups.
• Been an active part of community efforts involving LGBTQ+ and/or other underrepresented issues.
• Faced and sought to overcome obstacles related to the LGBTQ+ and/or other underrepresented people.
Requirements
• Graduating high school senior.
• Resident of Ashland or Bayfield County.
• Intent on attending an institute of higher education in the fall.
• Completion of enclosed application by the deadline.
Download the 2025 Scholarship application here!
Application deadline is April 15, 2025
Additional scholarships
The GSAFE Youth Scholarship awards up to four high school seniors $2500 each. The recipients of these awards will have demonstrated a commitment to promoting just and respectful schools for all, with an emphasis on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) students and topics. This scholarship is open to all Wisconsin high school seniors, regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. We especially encourage youth of color and trans and nonbinary youth to apply.
Learn more and Signup @ bit.ly/4hC0FDn
Open: Now
Deadline: Applications must be received or postmarked by March 19, 2025
Flagship Scholarship from Point Foundation
Flagship scholarship recipients receive financial support, access to multiple leadership development programs, mentorship or coaching, and the support of a community of scholars and alumni.
Amount: Financial award based on need, renewable for up to four years of support.
Funding Period: Awarded Scholars will start their scholarship in the fall of 2025, with a maximum of four years of support.
Opens: September 10, 2025 at 11 AM Central
Deadline: December 5, 2025 at 7 PM Central
Gamma Mu Foundation Scholarship
The Gamma Mu Scholarship Program supports gay men pursuing higher education at colleges, universities, or vocational and professional training programs. Since 2016, the program has expanded to offer two additional scholarships - The Folisi & Goodwin Scholarship in Memory of Ray Williams and The Phil Papel Memorial Scholarship - which are open to students from the broader LGBTQ+ community. These scholarship provide financial assistance for various educational paths, including vocational and technical training, associate degrees, bachelor’ degrees, and graduate programs. The Foundation does not provide funding for online degree programs. Scholarships are awarded exclusively for full-time study at accredited institutions or programs chosen by the student.
Opens: March 1
Closes: March 31
The Out to Innovate Foundation Scholarships
The Out to Innovate™ Scholarships, established in 2011, are intended for LGBTQ+ undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) programs. The scholarships are designed to promote academic excellence and increased visibility of talented LGBTQ+ students in STEM careers. Motorola Solutions Foundation has funded the Out to Innovate Scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year for technology and engineering students. BHE Foundation has funded several $5000 scholarships for engineering students. And individual philanthropy has funded two general STEM scholarships for $3000 (one for undergrad, and one for grad). A new addition to their scholarship portfolio is The Amy A. Ross Scholarship in Bioscience. Applicants to this scholarship must demonstrate a commitment to furthering LGBTQ+ visibility, diversity, and inclusion in the biosciences. This is a $2000 scholarship.
Deadline: The application portal for the 2024/2025 academic year is now closed.
PFund Foundation Scholarship Fund
PFund’s scholarship fund is used to provide scholarships to LGBTQ+ learners from the upper Midwest at all stages of their educations. In 2024, PFund Foundation distributed a record $150,000 to more than 60 queer students from across the upper Midwest.
Open: Now
Deadline: March 3, 2025 by 5 PM Central
John Reinert Scholarship by the Out to Protect Organization
The John Reinert Scholarship award is for individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, or transgender and who are pursuing a career in law enforcement by attending a basic law enforcement training program. This could be a basic police academy, sheriff’s academy, corrections academy, or 9-1-1 dispatcher academy. The Out to Protect Organization believes that one of the best ways of eliminating homophobia in law enforcement is by having positive and visible role models from the LGBT community serving in ranks of the law enforcement profession. They also recognize the courage required to “come out” and to be “out” on the job as a law enforcement professional. Their scholarships reward those individuals who have the courage and willingness to be visible role models in law enforcement.
Scholarship awards are $1000 and are typically announced in June and December of each year. See the website for a full list of scholarship requirements.