Transgender and nonbinary students face financial hardships their cisgender peers don't.
Scholarships and grants are available for transgender and nonbinary students.
There are other financial resources that transgender and nonbinary students can utilize.
Transgender and nonbinary students often face financial hardships like a lack of family support and high costs for gender-affirming medical care. If you're struggling with something similar, scholarships and grants can help you pay for school.
Finding scholarships and grants can be difficult, so BestColleges compiled the list below to save you some time.
Nonbinary and Transgender Students' Unique Financial Challenges
A study by Ohio State University found that transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming students face greater financial challenges than their cisgender peers. They often experience increased financial strain because of employment and housing discrimination. They also may experience less support from family members and high medical costs from medications and gender-affirming surgeries.
It's typically harder for those who identify as transgender or nonbinary to get student loans. If your gender or chosen name differs from your legal one, it can make the process harder. That's why scholarships and grants are great financial aid options for transgender and nonbinary students.
Featured Transgender and Nonbinary Scholarships and Grants
The #TransgenderFirst College Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Transgender or nonbinary students planning on or currently pursuing a college degree. Applicants must tell their stories.
Application Deadline: December 31, 2023
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
PFLAG Chapter Scholarships
Who Is Eligible: LQBTQ+ students are eligible. Specific criteria and award amounts depend on the state chapter.
Application Deadline: Varies
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Asian and Pacific Islander Queer Women and Transgender Community Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Asian and Pacific Islander lesbian, queer, or bisexual women and transgender individuals pursuing technical education.
Application Deadline: TBD
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
Casey Hoke Memorial Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Non-cisgender students, entering community college, trade school, or university who are leaders in their communities.
Application Deadline: May 15, 2023
Scholarship Amount: Up to $1,000
Out to Innovate Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Students must be LGBTQ+ STEM majors with GPAs of 2.75 or higher. The student must also be active in the LGBTQ+ community.
Application Deadline: June 3, 2023
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Point Foundation Scholarships
Who Is Eligible: Varies by scholarship. Applicants submit one application to be matched with a scholarship based on their academics, interests, and financial need.
Application Deadline: December 21, 2023
Scholarship Amount: Varies
New York Ramblers Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: LGBTQI students or committed allies who are student-athletes between ages 15-22. You also must plan to attend an undergraduate program.
Application Deadline: May 1, 2024
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
2024 Trans/Nonbinary Law Graduates of Color Grant Fund
Who Is Eligible: Transgender or nonbinary persons of color who graduated law school in 2023. You also must be registered to take the Bar exam in the summer of 2024.
Application Deadline: TBD
Scholarship Amount: $1,000 awarded to three recipients
Aritzia
Who Is Eligible: Students must identify as LGBTQIA or two-spirit. Applicants must study or plan to work in fashion design, retail management, mental health, or social justice advocacy.
Application Deadline: TBD
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Additional Resources for Transgender and Nonbinary Students
Human Rights Campaign Scholarship Database
The Human Rights Campaign has a searchable database for scholarships, fellowships, and grants for LGBTQ+ students.
Campus Pride National Scholarship Database
Campus Pride also has a searchable scholarship database to help transgender and nonbinary students find funding for their education.
U.S. Department of Education OCR
The DOE's Office of Civil Rights allows individuals to file complaints against colleges if they experience discrimination. The materials provided explain how education systems should treat individuals who identify as transgender, intersex, and other LGBTQ+ identities.
Federal Student Aid FAFSA Help
The Federal Student Aid office website offers help on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This process can be particularly difficult for transgender and nonbinary students due to the gender questions on the application.
