The Pride Scholarship was founded in 2000 by Bill Beachler, MSU Alumnus; and GLFSA, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Student Association of Michigan State University. This is one of only a handful of such scholarships offered by U.S. universities. To apply for the Pride Scholarship, you must submit: A scholarship application (via the Student Affairs and Services scholarship website); Proof of enrollment at MSU (or, for incoming students, proof of admission); Your resume; and a personal statement.
In 2000, the scholarship awarded was $500; it has since grown to an award of approximately $20,000+, with further growth expected. The award is given to an MSU undergraduate student selected through a competitive application process. Candidates should demonstrate academic achievement and involvement with, or contributions to, the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Preference is given to an incoming, first year (or transfer) student, although all undergraduate students are encouraged to apply.
You may want to consider touching on these topics: Ways in which having this scholarship will help you achieve your academic and life goals; Previous involvement with LBGT activities in school or in the broader community; Ways in which you consider yourself to be an activist or agent for social change; Involvement that includes multiple identities; Obstacles or challenges you have faced and overcome in relation to your LBGT involvement or activism.
