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 7:30 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 2023 semester.

Center Youth Scholarship Application
A Scholarship for LGBTQ+ youth ages 15-23

All applications are due by Sunday, May 14, 2023 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 on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

Youth of color and trans, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, two-spirit, intersex applicants, and youth with multiple marginalized identities are highly encouraged to apply. The Center Youth Scholarship Application consists of the following categories:

The Harry Bartel Memorial Scholarship Fund of Stonewall Community Foundation Eligibility ($3,000 available in awards total) 

• 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) 

• 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
• Two awards are available
• 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) 

• • 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
  • One award is available
  • Please note that recipients of financial awards will need to be able to complete 1099-MISC forms which require a SSN or TIN

Apply

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

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

Please complete the application form. At the end, you’ll be asked to upload your submission (2,000 words max).

All submissions are due by Sunday, April 30, 2023 at midnight. Late submissions will not be considered.

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

For questions, please contact Melissa Ruiz at mruiz@gaycenter.org.

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

The contest shall be open to writers who are LGBTQ+ identified between the ages of 15 and 21 years old living in the United States.  Writers should be members of the Center Youth Program. Writers 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

Submissions shall be due April 30, 2023. Recipients to be announced June 9, 2023.

Submission Guidelines

This 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.

Apply