GENERAL OVERVIEW OF CENTER SCHOLARSHIPS AND ELIGIBILITY

Applicants for all Center scholarships must be 23 or younger and be a Center programs or services participant. Preference is given to applicants who have had a longer tenure as active participants in Center programs. You may join the Center Youth program to become eligible for Center Youth scholarships. If you are not currently connected to Center Youth, please visit us Monday through Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. ET at 208 West 13 St in Manhattan to find out about programs we offer that may meet your needs and interests, or contact youth@gaycenter.org for more information.

To apply, please complete the application form. At the end, you’ll need to submit a personal statement (750 words max) explaining what the LGBTQ+ community and community service means to you, what your educational goals are, and what your financial need is. Recipients will need to document enrollment in the upcoming Fall 2022 semester.

All applications are due by Sunday, June 5, 2022 at midnight. Late applications will not be considered. Scholarship recipients will be invited to attend The Center’s Garden Party for an award ceremony and general festivities.

Youth of color and trans, gender non-conforming, non-binary, two-spirit, intersex applicants and youth with multiple marginalized identities are highly encouraged to apply.

The Harry Bartel Memorial Scholarship Fund of Stonewall Community Foundation Eligibility ($4,000 available in awards total) 

• $4,000 in awards are available to be distributed based on applicant pool
• Be a Center programs and services participant. Preference is given to applicants who have been active participants in Center programs
• Identify as LGBTQ+
• Have community service experience, especially in the LGBTQ+ community
• Verify enrollment in a 2 year college or (preferably) a 4 year college
• Demonstrate financial need
• Please note that recipients of financial awards will need to be able to complete 1099-MISC forms which require a SSN or TIN

Her/Him/Them for STEM Scholarship Eligibility ($2,000) 

• Two awards are available
• Be a Center programs and services participant. Preference is given to applicants who have been active participants in Center programs
• Verify enrollment in a STEM program/major/field of study. Fields of study will be considered STEM-eligible based on their inclusion in this U.S. Department of Education report, pages 5-10. (https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2011/2011226.pdf)
• If the scholarship will be applied towards a STEM internship stipend, verification of the internship is required.
• Demonstrate financial need
• Please note that recipients of financial awards will need to be able to complete 1099-MISC forms which require a SSN or TIN

FAB “Finish A Bachelor” Scholarship Eligibility ($2,000) 

• One award is available
• Last year’s recipient is eligible for a second award upon demonstrated academic progress and enrollment
• Be a Center programs and services participant. Preference is given to applicants who have been active participants in Center programs
• Be entering your Junior or Senior year in college & verify completion of at least 50% of credits required for a bachelor degree (B.A. or B.S.) at the enrolled institution with a grade point average of B- or above.
• Demonstrate financial need
• Please note that recipients of financial awards will need to be able to complete 1099-MISC forms which require a SSN or TIN

The Jane Wagner Writing Award
A Center Youth Scholarship for LGBTQ+ youth ages 15-21

The Center Youth Program is thrilled to announce the first annual Jane Wagner Writing Award. This new writing initiative is made possible by the generous donation of Hilton Als, celebrated writer and theater critic.

Youth of color and trans, gender non-conforming, non-binary, two-spirit, intersex applicants and youth with multiple marginalized identities are highly encouraged to apply.

Award Amounts

Two writers will receive the Jane Wagner Writing Award. The first place prize is $2,000 and second place prize is $500.

Eligibility

Open to writers who are LGBTQ+ identified between the ages of 15 and 21. Applicants should be members of the Center Youth Program. Those who are not currently members will be asked to join. Please note that recipients of financial awards will need to be able to complete 1099-MISC forms which require a SSN or TIN.

Deadline & Announcement Dates

Thanks to everyone who applied for the Jane Wagner Writing Award.  Your voice and talent are truly appreciated!  Winners will be announced shortly.

Submission Guidelines

The writing initiative welcomes submissions in the form of fiction and essays no longer than 2000 words each, with the subject matter entirely up to the author.

For more information about this writing initiative and to learn how to become a member of Center Youth, please contact Olin Winn-Ritzenberg at oritz@gaycenter.org.

Apply

 

2021 SCHOLARSHIPS

Imperial Court Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is made possible by The Imperial Court of New York, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization that has raised millions of dollars for worthy causes since its inception in 1986. The New York Court has gained recognition in the tri-state New York City region for the tireless work it has done on behalf of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. The mission of the Imperial Court of New York is to raise funds for organizations, including but not limited to those supporting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community; HIV/AIDS services organizations; social service organizations and youth enrichment programs. It seeks to provide a safe, social environment for people with the same interests as those of the membership and to create and promote positive community awareness of the ideals of the International Court System.

Recipients of the Imperial Court Scholarship Fund will receive $1000. Two awards are available.

The Harry Bartel Memorial Scholarship Fund of Stonewall Community Foundation

This scholarship is an endowed fund in memory of Harry Bartel. Harry was born in Queens, NY and raised in Scottsdale, AZ. In 1991, Harry and his spouse, Brian Landeche, opened Splash Bar in Manhattan. Throughout his life, Harry was an advocate of education and concerned that LGBT youth who were separated from their families or experiencing other hurdles might not have access to secondary education. It is in his memory that his family, friends and the patrons of Splash Bar have provided this endowment.

Recipients of the Harry Bartel Memorial Scholarship will receive $2000. One to two awards are available.

Her/Him/Them for STEM Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is made possible by contributions from S&P Global, a valued supporter of Center Youth programming. S&P and Center Youth believe that LGBTQ+ young people can and should play an important role in making contributions to STEM fields. This scholarship was created to encourage LGBTQ+ students who are working towards STEM degrees to continue their work in these increasingly important fields and to increase LGBTQ+ representation in STEM fields. As such, this scholarship is geared toward participants who are enrolled in college and are working towards a degree in a STEM field. This scholarship can also be applied as a stipend for a pre-arranged internship that will provide the student with hands-on experience and a professional network within a STEM field of practice (for example, a science or engineering lab).

Fields of study will be considered STEM-eligible based on their inclusion in this U.S. Department of Education report, pages 5-10. Priority is given to students who have participated in Center programming for at least 12 months prior to applying and who can demonstrate a need for financial aid.

Recipients of the STEM Scholarship will receive $2000. Two awards are available.

FAB “Finish A Bachelor” Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is made possible by the contribution of Jeffrey Sharlach, a long-time supporter of youth programming at The Center. Sharlach has recognized that many students experience barriers mid-way in their education, and aims to support individuals who have already achieved milestones in their academic career. As such, this scholarship is geared toward participants who have successfully completed at least 50% of the bachelor’s degree requirements of a degree-granting accredited college or university. Priority is given to students who have participated in Center programming for at least 12 months prior to applying and who would otherwise not be able to finish their degree in a timely manner without financial aid.

Recipients of the Finish A Bachelor (FAB) Scholarship will receive $2000, renewable for a second year for any recipient who continues to make satisfactory progress toward a bachelor’s degree (for a total award of up to $4000). One award is available.