Scholarships available to LGBT students
in five states including Idaho

More than $175,000 in scholarship money is available to lesbian,

gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), and allied students from the

states of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Arkansas for the

school year 2005-2006. Randy Brians, the scholarship manager at

Pride Foundation, said that allied students are those who are

heterosexual, passionate about LGBT issues, and show commitment to

human and civil rights for all people. Scholarships are also

available to students from LGBT families. Students can receive from

$500 to $10,000. Awards go to post-secondary education,

nontraditional programs, and creative study and vocational

training.

The application consists of a number of questions about whether the

student is LGBT, their family information, what they study, where

they are from, and future goals. There are thirty-four named

scholarships covering a wide range of studies. Some awards are

given specifically for financial needs, and others award

excellence.

Applications are now available at BSU Financial Aid Services or can

be obtained at www.thegsba.org and www.pridefoundation.org.

Applications must be post marked by Jan. 14, 2005.

“Students can earn more than one scholarship if they are

eligible,” Brians said.

If a student from one of the five states earns an award, they are

allowed to study in another state. For example, students from Boise

can take the scholarship money and go to school in Florida.

Scholarships can be used for up to two years.

“The scholarship became available through year-long fund

raising,” Brians said.

Money for the LGBT scholarships is also donated from individuals

who want to help LGBT and allied students. The Cole Family

Scholarship is for Washington residents under age 25 raised by one

or more lesbian or gay parent. Brians explained that donations may

be in a will; or from a person who studied in a particular field

and wants to give money to a student who studies in that same

field.

In a previous scholarship that the Greater Seattle Business

Association (GSBA) and the Pride Foundation provided, a

heterosexual woman who was raised by two lesbians was inspired to

study psychology to help children from diverse families after the

death of her gay uncle.

“In addition to receiving money, recipients feel empowered

because they are being acknowledged by The Pride and GSBA,”

Brians said.

Rachel Perez
News Writer

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