Palomar College Scholarships
Palomar’s Annual Scholarship Application is open from May to August.
California LGBTQ Foundation Scholarship
The CA LGBTQ Foundation Scholarship was established to help LGBTQ+ Californians achieve their dreams through higher education.
- All California residents may apply and will be considered.
- Applicants must be enrolled full time (12 units) in an accredited California college
- Applicants may be undergraduate, graduate, or PhD students.
- Applicants may be incoming or continuing students.
- Eligible students must identify within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer (LGBTQ+) community.
Kaleidoscope Scholarship
The Kaleidoscope Scholarship supports students of California Community Colleges (CCC) who are making a difference in their communities through a commitment to diversity, inclusivity and social equity. This $500 scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate resilience, leadership and a dedication to creating positive change. It honors those whose unique perspectives and advocacy reflect an understanding of the intersections between race, gender, socioeconomic status, LGBTQ+ identities and other aspects of identity.
This scholarship is designed to support students who are actively fostering an inclusive and equitable campus or community environment.
Promising applicants should demonstrate the following:
- Resilience and commitment to their education despite personal or systemic challenges
- Engagement in initiatives that foster inclusivity and support for diverse identities within their college or community
- An understanding of intersectionality, recognizing how various identities shape experiences and perspectives
- Advocacy through contributions to social justice, peer support or initiatives that create a more equitable community
ELIGIBILITY
Application is open to all actively enrolled CCC students who contribute to diversity, inclusion and social justice in their communities. This scholarship respects the privacy of applicants, and all information shared will remain confidential unless informed consent is provided.
Mama Linda Queer Youth Fund
In her memory, the North County LGBTQ Resource Center has established The Linda Johnson Queer Youth Fund.
As established in 2023, the North County LGBTQ Resource Center will grant awards to multiple individuals aged 16-22 to assist
with educational related expenses. To enter, youth will be asked to fill out a short application and submit a written, audio, or
video composition answer to this topic:
Eligibility requirements (Applicants must meet these minimum requirements)
- Resident of North San Diego County at time of application
- Identifies as LGBTQ+
- Currently enrolled or planning to enroll in high school, vocational school, community college, university, or other
accredited educational program OR actively engaged in development of career skills through non-traditional
experiences.
Scholarship award criteria (All submissions will be evaluated on the following criteria) - Submission of completed Application Form
- Application essay (written, audio or video submission*)
- Priorities are given to those with financial hardship**
*If submitting a video or audio essay response, you will need to provide the file on a non-returnable flash drive. Video
submission should be sent as an mp4 file. Audio submissions should be sent as an mp3, wav, or aif file.
**Proof of financial hardship is not required, however, if information is provided it will be considered and given
appropriate weight in the evaluation process.
National Rainbow College Fund
Scholarships average $2,500. Empowering LGBTQ+ students to pursue their ambitions for higher education. The first scholarship that supports LGBTQ+ students exclusively – whether they are “out” or not. The National Rainbow College Fund is powered by San Diego Foundation, one of the largest community foundations in the U.S. and the largest provider of scholarships of any community foundation in California. The mission of the National Rainbow College Fund is to lessen the financial burden for young people who identify as LGBTQ+ or who are grappling with the secrecy of remaining in the closet. The groundbreaking fund addresses the unique challenges LGBTQ+ students face such as social acceptance, mental health issues and family rejection that can hinder their ability to afford college that in turn impacts long-term economic earning power.
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) LGBTQ+ Student Scholarship Database
A list of scholarships, fellowships and grants for LGBTQ+ and allied students at both the undergraduate and graduate-level.
The PFLAG San Diego County Scholarship Portfolio
PFLAG San Diego County has overseen the awarding of over 225 scholarships in the amount of $530,000 to LGBTQ+ students. The scholarships are awarded to LGBTQ+ high school seniors continuing on to higher education or full-time undergraduate and graduate students through a competitive application and essay process. In addition to general scholarships, some are offered for specific areas of study: STEM, Art, Education, Health Services, Community College, and Vocational Studies. The scholarship committee selects recipients based on commitment to their chosen field, financial need, and academic achievement. It is worth noting that one of the earliest recipients of a PFLAG SDC scholarship was Todd Gloria, Mayor of San Diego, who exemplifies the public service we support. “Launching Leaders” serves as both a platform to honor our recipients and a primary fundraiser for future scholarships.
STARTastro
STARTastro supports transfer students from California Community Colleges entering Astronomy and related majors at UCSD and SDSU. As STARTastro Scholars, you’ll participate in an 8-week, fully-paid academic preparation and research training program, with faculty mentorship and tutoring support throughout your junior year.
STARTastro benefits include:
- A $5,000 stipend for the summer
- Free campus housing or commuting support during the summer program
- A 2-week academic program on astronomy, physics, math, and research skills (including python) that will help prepare you for the major
- A 6-week research experience with a faculty mentor that can be extended into the academic term
- Opportunity to present at the UCSD Summer Research Conference
- A graduate mentor and tutor available during the summer and academic term for help in classes, research, and engaging with UCSD
- Opportunities year-round to build your peer and professional network
To join the STARTastro program, you must satisfy the following eligibility requirements:
- Be currently enrolled in a public California Community College program in a science or engineering major; and
- Be accepted into SDSU and UCSD as an incoming transfer student for 2025.
Note: Preference will given to applicants transferring as Astronomy (SDSU) and Astronomy & Astrophysics (UCSD) majors. Community college students in residence in San Diego or Orange Counties who are transferring into Astronomy or Physics programs at other UC/CSU institutions will also be considered based on availability. There are no citizenship or residence requirements for this program.
Larry T. Baza Memorial Scholarship Fund
This scholarship provides a measure of financial stability to students living in and attending a community college or trade school San Diego, Northern Baja California and/or Imperial County region who are both LGBTQ+ and one of the following identities: Chicana/o/x, Latinx, or Chamorro (Guamanian). This Scholarship is currently restricted to students attending community college or trade school.
Gender Affirming Care Financial Assistance
Annual Trans Surgery Fund
Point of Pride’s Annual Transgender Surgery Fund is a scholarship-like program that provides direct financial assistance to trans folks who cannot afford their gender-affirming surgery.
Point of Pride’s Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Access Fund
Point of Pride’s HRT Access Fund is a scholarship-like program that provides direct financial assistance to trans folks who cannot afford their gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy (also known as “HRT.”)
Point of Pride’s Electrolysis Support Fund
The Electrolysis Support Fund provides financial assistance towards permanent hair removal services (including electrolysis and laser hair removal) for trans folks who cannot otherwise afford them
Thrive Fund
The Thrive Fund provides small grants to trans people who cannot afford gender-affirming health and wellness needs including wigs, prosthetics, fertility preservation, vocal training, non-permanent forms of hair removal, medical tattooing, and more..
Point of Pride Free Chest Binders
Point of Pride provides free chest binders (specially-designed chest compression garments) to any trans person who needs one and cannot afford or safely obtain one.
Point of Pride Free Femme Shapewear
Point of Pride provides free femme shapewear (specially-designed compression underwear/gaffs) to any trans femme person who needs one and cannot afford or safely obtain one.
