Scholarships

Gender and Sexuality Studies and the College of Arts and Sciences has five scholarships of up to $10,000.00 each for students intending to pursue a minor in LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) Studies. To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must be University of Miami students in good academic standing, have financial need, minor or intend to minor in LGBTQ Studies (Gender and Sexuality Studies majors with significant LGBTQ-related course work count here), and participate in a pre-law, pre-med, or pre-nursing program.

The LGBTQ Studies minor is designed to allow students to explore sexuality and sexual minorities from a variety of perspectives.  The minor will provide students with an introduction to a broad array of LGBTQ issues, including visual and performing arts, literature, languages, history, social science, various theories, public policy and the law, families and other types of intimate relationships, crime, popular culture, and LGBTQ identities and communities.  This widely interdisciplinary field addresses work in a broad range of scholarly disciplines, including biological and cultural studies, literature and anthropology, the health sciences, history, and the visual arts. It ranges from archival research to the elaboration of queer theory, from the analysis of constitutional law to questions of public health, from the study of popular culture to investigations into the development and social construction of sexual identity.

Further questions can be directed to Claire Oueslati-Porter at cxo185@miami.edu.

Point Foundation (Point) is the nation’s largest higher education scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students. Point’s multifaceted support of its scholarship recipients (“scholars”) extends far beyond direct financial contribution toward the cost of their education. Each scholar is paired with a mentor and participates in leadership development programs and events.

Point Foundation considers many factors when assessing scholarship applicants, including academic performance, leadership skills, financial need, personal goals and the applicant’s involvement in the LGBTQ community. Attention is also given to students who have lost the social support of their families and/or communities as a result of revealing their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Each person who applies for a Point Scholarship is evaluated on the totality of their situation.

Point’s scholarship application is available online during a designated scholarship application period, generally November through January. The scholar selection process begins with a thorough review of all applications by a trained team. The selection process concludes with in-person interviews of finalists by Point board members and staff. Point announces its new scholar class in June for LGBTQ Pride Month.

Point Scholars agree to maintain a high level of academic performance and give back to the LGBTQ community through the completion of an individual community service project each year. After graduating, Point Scholars become part of the organization’s alumni network, connecting them with caring individuals and professional contacts throughout the nation. Point awarded its first scholarships in 2002 and has since invested more than $35 million in the support of its scholars. Point Scholars and alumni are the future leaders of the LGBTQ and allied community, and they are at the forefront of creating greater acceptance, respect and tolerance in society for all people.

Eligible applicants also:

• Must be enrolled or intending to enroll at an accredited college or university based in the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska, in the fall of the year they are applying for. Students enrolled or intending to enroll in a college or university in a United States territory are NOT eligible.
• Must be “out” as a person who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community.
• Must be enrolled full-time for the full academic year.
• Must be enrolled in a degree-granting undergraduate or graduate/ doctoral program. Post-doctoral research programs are not eligible.
• Students studying at community colleges, online programs, or trade schools, are NOT eligible.
• Community college students must be transferring to a four-year college or university.
• Must be at least a senior in high school.
• If selected as a finalist, the finalist must be in North or Central America in late April and be available to fly to Los Angeles in order to remain eligible for the scholarship. All travel expenses will be covered by Point.

For more information, visit their website.

Aqua scholarships are open to all LGBTQ women who are pursuing a degree – associates, bachelors, masters, and doctorates. The scholarship helps pay for tuition and supports scholars in their leadership development. Each scholar is paired with a mentor. The scholars and mentors meet regularly, attend events together, and meet quarterly as a group.

All applicants must submit an online application. Applications must be completed in order to be considered.

To be considered for the Aqua Scholars program, applicants must:

• Be enrolled at an accredited college or university for the full academic year for which they are applying.
• Be actively pursuing an associates, bachelors, graduate, or professional degree.
• Be a full-time resident in the tri-country area during the duration of the program and be able to attend all required events.
• Main an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Must identify as part of the LGBTQ (lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/queer) community.