LGBTQ+ Scholarships and Awards

Scholarships
The Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity offers multiple scholarships to Penn State students who are interested in and have shown a commitment to the Penn State LGBTQ+ community. Each scholarship has specific requirements for eligibility, including financial status, academic standing, and current and future involvement in the LGBTQ+ community on Penn State campuses.
Scholarship Awarding Timeline
Scholarships Open: September 1, 2022
Scholarships Close: December 16, 2022
Recipients Notified: February 13, 2023
Scholarships Presented: Lavender Graduation-Blue/White Weekend, Friday April 14, 2023
Scholarship List
- Allison Subasic Community Builder Award
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This Award is in recognition of Allison Subasic for her service and dedication as the former and founding director of the LGBTQA Student Resource Center (now the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity).
Consideration for this award shall be given to full-time undergraduate students who are enrolled or planning to enroll at the University who are active participants in the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity (CSGD) and who have demonstrated advocacy for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community through their active involvement with the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity.
Eligibility:
- Full-time undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State
- Active participation in the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity
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Demonstrate advocacy and active involvement with the broader LGBT community at Penn State
- Barry H. Marshal Scholarship
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The Barry H. Marshal Scholarship provides recognition and financial assistance to outstanding undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State who have a demonstrated need for funds to meet their necessary college expenses and who advocate for or contribute to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community.
Eligibility:
- All undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at any Penn State campus
- Demonstration of financial need (must have a FAFSA on file)
- Demonstration or anticipation of advocating for or contributing to the LGBT community
- Preference is given to students from New York State
- Preference is given to students in good academic standing
- Bruce Miller and Dean LaVigne Trustee Scholarship
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The Bruce Miller and Dean LaVigne Trustee Scholarship provides financial assistance to undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State, who have a demonstrated need for funds to meet their necessary college expenses and who have demonstrated an interest in advocating for or contributing to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community.
Eligibility:
- All undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State
- Pell Grant eligible or demonstration of financial need (must have a FAFSA on file)
- Demonstration or anticipation of advocating for or contributing to the LGBT community
- Preference is given to students in good academic standing
- Henderson and Marshall Military Leadership Scholarship
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The Henderson and Marshall Military Leadership Scholarship recognizes full-time undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State who have an interest in and concern for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Allied community at the University and have demonstrated efforts toward improving the climate and well-being of LGBTQA individuals through advocacy, awareness, and leadership with the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, and who are either United States military students or who are enrolled or planning to enroll in Reserve Officers' Training Corps. (ROTC) program at the University.
Eligibility:
- Full-time undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State
- Interest and concern for the well being of LGBTQA individuals through advocacy
- Preference shall be given to students who have demonstrated financial need for funds
- Preference shall be given to students in the United States military or who are enrolled or are planning to enroll in the Penn State Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program (U.S. military is defined as veterans, active duty, reservists, or National Guard)
- Lambda Alumni Outstanding Student Award
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The purpose of the Lambda Alumni Outstanding Student Award is to honor and recognize contributions to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community achieved by an undergraduate or graduate student who is enrolled at Penn State.
Eligibility:
- All full-time undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at Penn State
- Demonstration or anticipation of advocating for or contributing to the LGBT community
- Anticipated advocacy and involvement with the LGBT community as an alumni of Penn State
- Preference given to those in good academic standing
- Richard Lamar Schlegel Scholarship
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The Richard Lamar Schlegel Scholarship shall be given to full-time undergraduate students who have a demonstrated financial need for funds to meet their necessary college expenses and whose academic studies, co-curricular studies, volunteerism, leadership, student organization interests, advocacy, projects, and/or internships focus on the origins and practices of homophobia and/or the countermeasures against fear and discrimination which homophobia engenders.
Eligibility:
- All undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at any Penn State campus
- Demonstration of financial need for funds to meet their necessary college expenses
- Demonstration or anticipation of advocating for or contributing to countermeasures against fear and discrimination which homophobia engenders
- Steve Artz and Tom Strickler Arts and Architecture Scholarship
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The Steve Artz and Tom Strickler Arts and Architecture Scholarship provides financial assistance to undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State, University Park who advocate for or contribute to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally (LGBTQA) community.
Eligibility:
- All undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State's University Park campus
- Demonstration or anticipation of advocating for or contributing to the LGBT community
- Preference is given to students enrolled or planning to enroll in the College of Arts and Architecture (or other academic unit that focuses on visual and performing arts, art, dance, music, or education)
- Preference shall be given to students who have demonstrated financial need for funds
- Preference is given to students in good academic standing
- Tom Strickler and Steve Artz Engineering Scholarship
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The Tom Strickler and Steve Artz Engineering Scholarship provides financial assistance to undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State, University Park who advocate for or contribute to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally (LGBTQA) community.
Eligibility:
- All undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State's University Park campus
- Demonstration or anticipation of advocating for or contributing to the LGBT community
- Preference is given to students enrolled or planning to enroll in the College of Engineering
- Preference shall be given to students who have demonstrated financial need for funds
- Preference is given to students in good academic standing
- Masel-McClin LGBTQA Scholarship
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The Masel-McClin LGBTA Scholarship provides recognition and financial assistance to outstanding undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State, University Park who advocate for or contribute to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally (LGBTQA) community.
- All undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State's University Park campus
- Demonstration or anticipation of advocating for or contributing to the LGBT community
- Preference is given to students enrolled or planning to enroll in the College of Engineering
- Preference shall be given to students who have demonstrated financial need for funds
- Preference is given to students in good academic standing
Awards
- The Dr. Susan R. Rankin Award
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The Dr. Susan R. Rankin Award, established in 2007, honors someone who shows leadership, integrity, and has made outstanding contributions to Penn State. It is given annually to a student, staff member, faculty member, community member, or organization who has provided leadership and service to the LGBTQA community and who demonstrates outstanding efforts in leadership, integrity, and contributions to the LGBTQA community.
Self-nominations are accepted. Nominations from all Penn State constituents and community members are encouraged.
Leadership
- Maintains excellence as a role model for students, faculty, and staff at Penn State
- Demonstrates leadership in supporting students who are members of the LGBTQA community
- Represents genuine accountability in upholding the integrity of the LGBTQA community at Penn State
Integrity
- Demonstrates integrity in the promotion of a positive identity for LGBTQA students throughout the University and local community
- Values and succeeds at working with individuals who are different than themselves
- Challenges the status quo by taking risks to raise awareness and educate others
Outstanding Contributions
- Has made meaningful contributions to students, faculty, and staff at Penn State
- Demonstrates on-going efforts to add to the support services for LGBTQA students, faculty, and staff at Penn State
- Demonstrates care, flexibility, initiative, creativity, and perseverance in all efforts
- Outstanding Service Award
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Nominations are sought for individuals within the University community who have shown outstanding service regarding LGBTQ concerns at The Pennsylvania State University. The definition of service is open to interpretation, but all nominees should be active participants in improving the climate of diversity and inclusion for LGBTQ people at Penn State. Self-nominations are accepted.
- Academic Achievement Award
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Nominations are sought for individuals at The Pennsylvania State University community who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the areas of research, teaching, and/or academic course work. Nominations should preferably acknowledge meritorious faculty, staff and students whose academic achievements are LGBTQ-focused but could also acknowledge the achievements of LGBTQ people in any area of research, teaching and student scholastic engagement. Self-nominations are accepted.
College/Program Specific LGBTQ+ Scholarships
Human Development and Family Studies
- The Anthony R. D’Augelli Scholarship
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The Anthony R. D’Augelli Scholarship recognizes outstanding achievement by undergraduate students whose interests and actions promote research and/or service related to LGBTQ individuals, families and communities. Students who are enrolled in Human Development and Family Studies as a major or minor, and are actively engaged in faculty-approved research about LGBTQ topics or are interning at an agency or non-profit organization serving the LGBTQ community are eligible to apply. Selection is based on evidence of working in an LGBTQ research lab and/or human service area. Student must be returning for the following academic year (Fall or Fall/Spring). For more information, please contact pennstatehdfs@psu.edu.
Commonwealth and Campus Scholarships
Penn State Beaver
- Scott K. Noxon LGBTQA Scholarship
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Consideration for this scholarship shall be given to undergraduate students who are enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State Beaver who advocate for or contribute to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally (LGBTQA) community.