LGBTQ+ Youth College Scholarship Application

The mission of Latino Equality Alliance (LEA) is to advocate for equity, safety, and wellness for the Latinx Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer + community. LEA is located at Mi Centro LGBTQ Community Center in Boyle Heights.

The Latino Equality Alliance Scholarship program supports LGBTQ+ students who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the mission of the LEA and the LGBTQ+ movement. Scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to participate in a series of Career and Professional Development workshops led by Latinx LGBTQ+ Leaders.

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: March 23, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Awardees will be informed by April 17, 2026. For more information and questions, please email [email protected]

𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Age 16+ years old
Undocumented and Dream Act Students are eligible
High school seniors residing within the greater Los Angeles area who will be attending an accredited college, university, or vocational school or;
Current undergrad and graduate students (who attended high school in the Los Angeles County area) attending an accredited college, university, or vocational school.
Proof of acceptance or attendance to an accredited college, university, or vocational school will be required.
The scholarship is targeted towards self-identified Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or other identities within the LGBTQ+ community, graduating high school seniors and/or current undergrad/graduate students.
Must have at least a 2.0 or above GPA.
Awardees are required to attend the LGBTQ+ Youth Scholarship Award Ceremony on May 16th, 2026.

*Please note that this scholarship requires public recognition which may include photos, videos, public appearances, interviews, newspaper publications, and social media postings.

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

1. Complete and submit application form

2. Respond to four short essay questions (see below)

3. Submit one letter of recommendation (preferably from a Teacher/Professor, Administrator, Supervisor)

4. Submit unofficial transcripts

5. Attend the in-person scholarship ceremony on May 16, 2026, from 12 - 3 PM.

*All required materials must be submitted by March 23, 2026, deadline to complete application.

Select you age range: *

Ages 16-25

Ages 26+

𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:

ALL four essay questions must be answered. Please submit only one document and clearly title each response: "Question #1," "Question #2," etc. Once written, email the completed document with your first and last name to [email protected].

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 #𝟏: Share a significant experience that has impacted your life as an LGBTQ+ student; how does that shape your dreams for your future? *

(300-500 Words)

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 #𝟐: The mission of Latino Equality Alliance (LEA) is to advocate for equity, safety, and wellness for the Latinx LGBTQ+ community. How are you and/or how will you uphold this mission as you advance your education? *

(300-500 Words)

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 #𝟑: If awarded, how do you plan on best using this scholarship opportunity to uplift your educational journey? (e.g. think of your 3-5 year plan to your achieve goals) *

(100-200 words)

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 #𝟒: If you had a SUPERPOWER, what would it be and how would you use it to shape the world you’re in today? *

(100- 200 words)

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 #4: Who is your positive role model? How have you been inspired? How would you apply this inspiration in the future? *

(100- 200 words)

Upload Supporting Documents - (Unofficial Transcript + Letter of Recommendation)

Upload Unofficial Transcript + Letter of Recommendation

If you need to submit documents later: You can email them any time before the deadline to [email protected].

Last Name *

As it appears on your transcripts

First Name *

As it appears on your transcripts

Is your preferred name different than your legal name? *

If yes, please type it in. If no, please type "N/A"

Address

Street Address *

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Date of birth *

Phone *

Email *

Gender Identity *

Please Select

Cis Woman
Cis Man
Trans Woman
Trans Man
Gender Queer
Gender Non-conforming
Non-binary
Two-Spirit
Other
No elements found. Consider changing the search query.
List is empty.

What are your preferred pronouns? *

Please Select

She/Her/Hers
He/Him/His
They/Them/Theirs
She/They
He/They
All Pronouns
Other
No elements found. Consider changing the search query.
List is empty.

Please identify your sexual orientation *

Please Select

Gay
Lesbian
Bisexual / Pansexual
Asexual
Queer
Heterosexual
Other
No elements found. Consider changing the search query.
List is empty.

Name of high school and/or college currently attending. If you're a current college student, please provide name of current school AND your former high school. *

Is your intended/current major related to the medical field? *

Yes

Intended/Current Major *

Current Cumulative GPA *

Have you engaged in any LEA activities, events, or programming (past or current)? If yes, please list details/ examples. If no, please type "N/A" *

Have you received a LEA scholarship before? *

Yes

Demographic Information

The following questions allow LEA to understand the general population and inform our community vision and priorities. The responses to these questions are for data purposes only and will not disqualify any applicant.

Please specify your race and/or ethnicity *

Are you living with any disabilities? If yes, please specify what condition(s) you are living with. If no, please type "N/A" *

Are you a former or current foster care youth? *

Yes

Are you a DACA recipient? (This collected information is private and will not be shared with anyone outside the scholarship committee.) *

Yes

Are you eligible to apply for Federal (e.g. FAFSA) or Institutional (e.g. college level scholarships) Aid? *

Yes

Are you a first generation college student? *

Yes

By checking the yes box you are stating that all of the information in this application is true.

By checking the yes box you are acknowledging that your application is incomplete until you have submitted your short essay responses AND letter of recommendation to [email protected] by March 23, 2026 at 11:59pm.