Apply for the Education Fund Scholarship
To receive an Austin LGBT Chamber Education Fund Scholarship, you must be a Texas State resident.
*Applicants are considered a resident if they: Currently live in Texas and have done so for at least three months prior to the application deadline; or have lived in Texas for at least one year at any time in the five years prior to the application deadline; or have lived in Texas for more than one year at any time and have been continuously enrolled in an accredited academic institution for the five years prior to the application deadline.
Preference is given to students who identify as LGBTQ+, members of LGBTQ+ families, or cisgender/straight allies who’ve demonstrated active support of the LGBTQ+ community.
Applicants must be pursuing a certificate program, undergraduate degree (Associate or Bachelors,) or graduate degree. Students should be enrolled in community colleges, four-year public or private colleges or universities, or vocational/technical/trade programs. Current students and those individuals planning to enroll in a program in the next academic year are eligible as are current high school seniors.
High school freshman, sophomores, or juniors are not eligible nor are individuals who are not planning to enroll in higher education in the next academic year.
Required Materials:
- Academic transcript (official or unofficial)
- Resume -please include:
- Work experience
- School activities and honors
- Extracurricular and community activities, including volunteer roles, arts, and/or activism
- Several essay questions (upload docs)
Optional Materials:
- Letter(s) of recommendation
The application is available NOW and must be submitted by October 31st, 2023 (6:00 PM CST).
Getting Started:
- Look through the entire application and get familiar with it. You cannot save work so please review application before beginning submission.
- Some answers will open short essay questions. Use these opportunities to tell us more about that specific aspect of yourself.
- We ask for several written essays. Please write these essays outside of the application, copy and paste them into the essay sections, and make sure to save copies for your records. Some of the essays may be submitted in a video format instead of written.
Required Materials:
- Academic transcript (official or unofficial)
- Resume -please include:
- Work experience
- School activities and honors
- Extracurricular and community activities, including volunteer roles, arts, and/or activism
- Several essay questions (upload docs)
Optional Materials:
- Letter(s) of recommendation
A team of community volunteers from the Chamber’s Education Fund Board of Directors will individually review and rate each application on the basis of the evaluation criteria. Each team will select the individuals they feel best exemplify the selection criteria. These semi-finalists will be notified in mid-November 2023 and will be asked for a Zoom or phone interview.
A panel of volunteers will interview semi-finalists in November 2023. The volunteers will then make their selection as to who will be awarded an Austin LGBT Chamber Education Fund Scholarship. We introduce our scholars (in-person or via video) to the community at our annual Business of Pride Awards Gala in December 2023.
Mission:
To invest in the education, job training, and career opportunities of a diverse group of LGBTQ+ individuals who have the capacity and vision to be prominent business leaders working to create a better world for all.
Vision:
One of the best ways to get involved and expand your network is through committees. We work together to solve problems and impact change in our community from advocating business policies to events and so much more!
Awards:
The Austin LGBT Chamber Education Fund, a 501c(3) organization, awards scholarships to LGBTQ and allied students who exhibit leadership potential, strong academic abilities, and involvement in school and community organizations. We are committed to ongoing funding of our undergraduate scholars. Every scholar who has met certain criteria is eligible for up to four years of undergraduate scholarship funding. This commitment to our scholars’ success and eventual graduation helps support our future leaders in a way that few programs are able to do. We ask our donors to consider also making ongoing commitments to help sustain the continuing support that is so vital to the success of our mission.
Support the Austin LGBT Chamber Education Fund
Scholarships are awarded each year at the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce Business of Pride Gala. For more information about scholarships, sponsorships, giving and more, please contact us at Education@AustinLGBTchamber.
Thank You Sponsors
