Tampa Pride Foundation Scholarship Information
The Tampa Pride Foundation awards financial support in the form of academic scholarships to members of the LGBTQ+ community who demonstrate financial need and the desire to pursue additional training through academic or vocational education. The Tampa Pride Foundation awards grants and scholarships to LGBTQ + students in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, or Pasco counties.
Mission and Purpose
The Tampa Pride Foundation’s mission and purpose is to create positive change in the lives of the LGBTQ+ community. Our focus is primarily on this demographic in the aforementioned counties of Florida.
The Tampa Pride Foundation envisions a society that promotes individual and overall LGBTQ+ community acceptance, inclusivity, health, and pride for all people regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or individuality.
Tampa Pride Foundation Advisory Council
The Tampa Pride Foundation’s Advisory Council is comprised of members of the community who represent the interests of the LGBTQ+ community and the Tampa Pride Foundation.
Contact the Tampa Pride Foundation Inc. by email
Tampa Pride Foundation, Inc.
tampapridefoundation@tampapride.org
Scholarships
Since its creation in 2021, the Tampa Pride Foundation has sought to fund scholarships in Florida that provide support to the LGBTQ+ community to students from the aforementioned counties. These include undergraduate, advanced degree, and vocational program certificate scholarships for LGBTQ+ subpopulations such as youths, and victims of domestic violence.
Scholarships are awarded annually based on a formal online application process, review and approval by the Advisory Council. Only individuals in Florida with residence in the aforementioned counties are eligible for Tampa Pride Foundation financial assistance. The Foundation will not award grants for more than two consecutive grants cycles to a single individual. If an individual has received two consecutive grants, they will be required to wait for one year prior to re-applying for funding.
For more information on our scholarship program please email the Foundation at tampapridefoundation@tampapride.org
Scholarship Guidelines
Tampa Pride Foundation will be accepting scholarship applications online only.
The Tampa Pride Foundation Scholarships Program provides support to the LGBTQ+ community within the aforementioned counties, who want to further their education at a college, university, vocational or professional training program. This scholarship program supports a wide range of educational options, including vocational and technical training, associate, bachelors and graduate degrees. The Foundation will only fund regionally-accredited education degree and certificate programs. Scholarships are offered for full-time or half-time study beginning at an accredited institution or program of the student’s choice. Interested students must complete and submit the online application by April 30th. We strongly urge students to also review the tab on this website labeled “Scholarship FAQs.”
Eligibility
Scholarships are awarded based upon financial need and the desire to pursue additional training through academic or vocational endeavors. Students may be required to work with a mentor to ensure compliance. The applicant must be a LGBTQ+ community member, 26 years of age or younger, have completed high school (or GED) by June of the current year, and be a U.S. citizen. Preference is given to 1) students who are living within the aforementioned counties; 2) students who have overcome issues of discrimination and/or marginalization within their community; 3) students who demonstrate leadership qualities and pursue goals to benefit the LGBTQ+ community; and 4) students who demonstrate a strong academic performance. All of these key factors are taken into consideration when evaluating scholarship applications. To qualify for a scholarship, students must:
- Submit a completed application online no later than April 30th.
- Have completed high school or the GED by June of the application year.
- Be admitted to an accredited college, university, or vocational institution for fall of the current year or spring of the following year.
- Be a citizen of the United States.
- Be a member of the LGBTQ+ 26 years of age or younger at time of application.
Payment of Scholarship Awards
Historically, scholarship recipients have received an award of between $500 and $1,500 to use during the following year of undergraduate or graduate study or in the vocational program in which they are enrolled. Payment is made in one installment prior to the payment due date for colleges and universities, and subject to the program requirements for vocational and other professional training programs. Checks are made payable to the particular institution for benefit of the recipient. Exceptions may be made when a scholarship mentor must be assigned.
Awards are for one year only. Students must submit separate applications each year for consideration for funding the following academic year. There are no multi-year scholarships.
Use of Scholarship
Scholarships may be used to defray tuition, books and fees or other college-related costs at an accredited college, university, vocational or professional school. All funds will be issued to the institution. The scholarship must be used during the fall and/or spring term following the awarding of the scholarship. No continued scholarship support for the student is implied or stated beyond the granting of a single award.
Application
Online applications will be accepted from March 1st through April 30th. The online application must be completed and received by April 30th at 5 p.m. ET. and applicants will receive acknowledgement of application receipt via email. Applications are evaluated on the information supplied; therefore, please answer all questions as completely as possible. Incomplete applications will not be considered. By submitting an application, the applicant agrees that all information received is deemed confidential and becomes the property of the Tampa Pride Foundation and that the judging scoresheets and deliberations will be confidential.
Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:
- Financial Need
- Demonstrated community involvement
- Extracurricular involvement
- Experience overcoming discrimination and/or marginalization
- Work/academic achievement
- Educational and career goals
- Involvement in the LGBTQ+ community
- Leadership in promoting diversity
Selection of Recipients
Selection of recipients is made by the Tampa Pride Foundation Advisory Council. All applicants agree to accept the decision of the Tampa Pride Foundation as final. Applicants will be notified by June 15th of the Foundation’s decision.
Obligations and Revisions
Scholarship recipients have no obligation to the Tampa Pride Foundation. They are, however, required to supply the Tampa Pride Foundation with complete transcripts when requested and to notify the Foundation of any changes of address, school enrollment, or other relevant information. If awarded a scholarship, we request that the student supply us with a photo to publish in our Annual Report and agree to have their name listed in Foundation news publications. Students may be required to sign a waiver allowing a scholarship mentor to ascertain academic progress from instructors.
For additional information please contact the Foundation by email at: tampapridefoundation@tampapride.org
Application FAQ's
What is the deadline to apply?
Applications will be accepted from March 1st through April 30th at 5 pm.
When will the funds be released?
Payment is made in one installment prior to the payment due date for colleges and universities, and subject to the program requirements for vocational and other professional training programs. Checks are made payable to the particular institution for the benefit of the recipient. Exceptions may be made when a scholarship mentor must be assigned.
Who is this scholarship aimed at?
Applicants must be members of the LGBTQ+ community subpopulations such as youths, and victims of domestic violence who demonstrate financial need and the desire to pursue additional training through academic or vocational education.
What type of institutions are covered?
The Foundation will only fund regionally-accredited education degree and certificate programs. Scholarships are offered for full-time or half-time study beginning at an accredited institution or program of the student’s choice.
How do I contact Tampa Pride Foundation Grant?
For any questions, please email Tampapridefoundation@tampapride.org
How do I apply?
To apply, please visit tampapride.org/scholarship
How many scholarships can I receive?
The Foundation will not award grants for more than two consecutive grants cycles to a single individual. If an individual has received two consecutive grants, they will be required to wait for one year prior to re-applying for funding. There are no multi-year scholarships.
How can the funds be used?
Scholarships may be used to defray tuition, books and fees or other college-related costs at an accredited college, university, vocational or professional school. All funds will be issued to the institution. The scholarship must be used during the fall and/or spring term following the awarding of the scholarship.
What amount will I receive?
Historically, scholarship recipients have received an award of between $500 and $1,500 to use during the following year of undergraduate or graduate study or in the vocational program in which they are enrolled.
When will I be notified of a decision?
Applicants will be notified of the Foundation’s decision by June 15th.
Will I be assigned a Mentor?
Students may be required to work with a mentor to ensure compliance.
Who can apply?
- Location – Applicants must be US citizens. Florida residents in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, or Pasco counties.
- Age – Applicants must be 26 years of age and younger, at the time of application.
- LGBTQ+ – Applicants must identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community.