How to Apply

Eligibility

Applicants for all scholarships must have demonstrated service to the LGBT+ community. Applicants of all sexual orientations and gender identities are eligible.
Scholarships for Graduating High School Seniors and Recent High School Graduates
Applicant must:
  • be a resident of northern or central California but may study elsewhere (see map of specific counties);
  • have completed or expect to complete high school or equivalent between 1 Jul 2014 and 30 Jun 2019; and
  • plan to attend or began attending an accredited post-secondary institution (college, university, or vocational/trade school) for the first time in 2019.
Students residing in or attending high school in San Mateo or Santa Clara County are eligible for the PFLAG San Jose/Peninsula Scholarships. Applicants for the Bobby Griffith Memorial Scholarship must reside in Contra Costa County. Applicants for the James Ricciardelli Memorial Scholarship must intend to major in the performing arts.

In 2019, we expect to award 15 or more $6,000 scholarships to assist with post-secondary educational expenses. In 2018, we received about 110 applications for these scholarships.
Scholarships for Community College Transfer Students
Applicant must:
  • be a resident of northern or central California but may study elsewhere (see map for specific counties);
  • have graduated or expect to graduate from community college between 1 Jul 2014 and 30 Jun 2019; and
  • plan to attend or began attending an accredited 4-year college or university for the first time in 2019.
In 2019, we expect to award one or more of these $6,000 scholarships. In 2018, we received about 10 applications for these scholarships.
Nursing Scholarships
Applicant must:
  • be enrolled or accepted for enrollment by the interview date in an accredited ADN or BSN RN program in California. Master's prepared programs with a BA/BS in a field other than nursing are eligible. RN reentry and RN to BSN or MSN programs are not eligible. Diploma programs are not eligible;
  • be in good academic standing with her/his nursing program or, if just entering a nursing program, must have a minimum 3.0 high school GPA with a strong emphasis on math and science;
  • not be an employee or the dependent of an employee of Kaiser Permanente; and
  • not have received an eQuality nursing scholarship before.
In 2019, we expect to award one or two $6,000 scholarships to assist with nursing school expenses.
Scholarships for Graduate Health Care Students
Applicant must be:
  • enrolled or committed to enroll by the interview date in an accredited graduate school in California or a California resident attending an accredited graduate school elsewhere in the United States;
  • pursuing a graduate degree in medicine, dentistry (DDS or DDM), pharmacy, physical therapy, or psychology
  • in good academic standing; and
  • not have received an eQuality graduate student scholarship before.
In 2019, we expect to award four or more $6,000 scholarships to assist with graduate school expenses.

Selection Criteria

The criteria on which scholarship recipients will be selected include:
  • Service to the LGBT+ community
  • Leadership
  • Hardship or special circumstances
  • Academic achievement
In addition to completing the application, applicants for all scholarships must be available for an interview either by Skype/phone or in person. Interviews will be on Sunday, 10 March 2019, and Saturday, 16 March 2019.

Apply

Deadline
The application deadline for 2019 scholarships has passed. Applicants will be notified of their status by early March.

We will begin accepting applications for 2020 scholarships in November. The link to the online application will appear here then. The application deadline for 2020 will be around the end of January.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm a straight ally. May I still apply?
Yes, students of all sexual orientations and gender identities are eligible for all eQuality Scholarships.

I started college (or other post-secondary school) in the fall. May I still apply?
It depends on which scholarship you are interested in applying for:
  • Scholarships for high school graduates - you are not eligible. 
  • Scholarships for community college transfer students -  if you transferred from a community college to a four-year college/university and started in the fall, you are not eligible.
  • Nursing or graduate health care student scholarships - you are eligible.

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen?
We do not ask for Social Security numbers nor citizenship/residency status. If you meet the residency or school requirements above and are accepted to and attend an accredited post-secondary school, you may apply.

I want to go to school outside the U.S. May I still apply?
The nursing scholarships may only be used at California nursing programs. The graduate health care student scholarships may only be used at U.S. graduate schools. The scholarships for high school graduates and community college transfer students may be used at any accredited post-secondary educational institution, whether in the U.S. or not.

If I'm awarded an eQuality Scholarship, will the scholarship funds come directly to me?
No, scholarship checks will be made payable to your school and credited to your student account.

What can scholarship funds be used for?
eQuality Scholarships may be used for any education-related expenses that can be charged to your student account. Note that if you use scholarship funds for expenses other than tuition, fees, books, and required supplies, they may be considered taxable income. You should consult with your tax advisor or your school's financial aid office.