Check eligibility
Make sure you meet the criteria above. If you're unsure about anything, email us before you spend time on the form — we'll give you a straight answer.
Scholarship Application
Your next chapter starts abroad. Let's get you there.
Up to $20,000. No loans. No repayment. 2.5 GPA minimum. No recommendation letters. Just apply.
Start your application
Who can apply
You're eligible if all of the following are true.
2.5 GPA minimum — we're looking for effort, not perfection. No letters of recommendation. No income threshold you have to prove.
- You identify as LGBTQ+ — any identity within that spectrum. Self-identification is enough. No documentation required.
- You are currently enrolled, or have received acceptance, at an accredited U.S. college or university (undergraduate or graduate).
- You have a study-abroad program in mind — or are actively researching one — beginning no earlier than Summer 2027. Programs starting before Summer 2027 are not eligible for this award cycle.
- Financial need would make this trip difficult or impossible without support.
- You are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. DACA recipients are encouraged to apply — email us for the most current eligibility answer.
2.5 GPA minimum — we're looking for effort, not perfection. No letters of recommendation. No income threshold you have to prove.
The award
Up to $20,000 toward the real costs of going.
The scholarship covers up to $20,000 toward the actual, documented costs of studying abroad:
- Program tuition and fees
- International flights
- Housing abroad
- Living expenses for the duration of your program
Awards are sized to your actual costs — shorter programs or lower-cost destinations may receive less than the maximum. There is no repayment. This is not a loan.
Where possible, funds go directly to your program or institution. Remaining funds for flights and living expenses are paid directly to you. We work through the logistics with each scholar individually after selection.
Timeline
Key dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | Now — the form is live |
| Application deadline | January 15, 2027 at 11:59 PM ET |
| Semifinalist invitations sent | February-March 2027 |
| Finalist notifications | April 2027 |
| Scholarship funds disbursed | Before your program start date (Summer 2027 earliest) |
Important: This award cycle funds programs beginning Summer 2027 or later. If your program starts before Summer 2027, it is not eligible for this cycle.
How to apply
Five steps. We keep it simple on purpose.
Fill out the application
The form takes most people 30–45 minutes. You'll share basic enrollment info, describe your financial situation honestly, and write a short personal statement about why you want to study abroad. Honest answers beat impressive ones.
Submit before January 15, 2027
That's 11:59 PM Eastern. You'll get a confirmation email immediately. Save it — you'll need it if you're invited to Phase 2.
If selected as a semifinalist
You'll receive an email in February-March 2027 with an invitation to submit a short video introduction and written narrative. This is your chance to show us who you are.
Finalists notified and funds arranged
Finalists hear back in April 2027. If selected, we work directly with you to coordinate disbursement to your program and cover your travel costs.
FAQ
Common questions
No. You self-identify. There is no documentation requirement, no verification process, no letter from a counselor or community organization. If you identify as LGBTQ+ — any identity, broadly defined — you are eligible on that criterion.
You can still apply. You need a program in mind or to be actively researching one. If you know you want to go abroad in 2027 and you're narrowing down your options, that qualifies. You have until January 15, 2027 — there's time to finalize.
The minimum is a 2.5 GPA. We're not looking for perfect transcripts — we're looking for students who show up. If your grades reflect effort and you meet the other criteria, you're eligible. We review applications personally, not through a filter.
No. This is a scholarship grant. You receive the funds, you go, you don't pay anything back. Ever.
Where possible, we send funds directly to your program or institution to cover tuition and housing. Remaining funds for flights and living expenses come directly to you. We work through the specifics with each scholar individually after you're selected — the goal is to make sure the money actually does what it's supposed to do.
DACA recipients are encouraged to apply. Eligibility for the first award cohort is still being determined — email us at hello@wanderingwithpride.org and we'll give you the most current answer.
Wandering With Pride Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The founder has invested $40,000 of personal capital into the organization. The scholarship fund is actively being built — applications are open now because processing takes time and we want a full applicant pool. We're founding-stage and honest about it. If you have questions, email us at hello@wanderingwithpride.org. We respond to every message with an actual answer.
Start your application
The form takes most people 30-45 minutes. Honest answers beat impressive ones.