Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender Resource Center

LBGT Scholarships for Undergraduate Students

This is your source for current information on the three scholarships available specifically to students at Michigan State University who are committed to LBGT communities. You may also wish to visit the Office of Admissions scholarships page, which includes a link to the MSU Searchable Scholarship Database.

Recipients and giving

The Pride Scholarship was first awarded in 2000. The 2007 recipient was Grace Wojcik. This LBGT Students of Color scholarship was first awarded in 2005, to Tiffany Lane. The Stephen P. Pougnet and Christopher J. Green Endowed Scholarship will be awarded for the first time when the 2008 recipients are announced.

If you would like to contribute to one of the scholarship funds, please contact Development Officer Barbara Ball-McClure at 517-432-7330 ( ballmccl @ msu.edu ).

Deadlines and procedures

All three scholarships have the same deadline and easy application procedure. The application deadline for 2009 will be announced in fall 2008. The application information is later on this page, following the description of the three scholarships.

Pride Scholarship

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.

Preference is given to an incoming, first year (or transfer) student, though all undergraduate students are encouraged to apply. In 2000, the scholarship awarded was $500; it has since grown to a minimum of $3,000 and further growth is 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.

LBGT Students of Color Scholarship

The MSU Students of Color Scholarship was created in memory of Sakia Gunn, a 15 year old African-American lesbian, killed in a hate crime in Newark, New Jersey in May 2003. The scholarship was first awarded in 2005.

This scholarship is awarded to MSU students who are active in addressing issues for students of color who are lesbian, bisexual, gay and/or transgender. Its purpose is to recognize individuals who help to end the stigma that racism and homophobia leave in all communities. A minimum of $1,000 will be awarded to a full-time undergraduate student. Selection criteria focus on the recipient's contributions to LBGT and people of color communities, the recipient's academic/career goals, and financial need.

Stephen P. Pougnet and Christopher J. Green Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship, the current value of which is $3,600, is awarded to a currently enrolled student of junior or senior standing (preference is given to students enrolled in The Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University). Candidates must demonstrate academic excellence and involvement with or contributions to LGBT communities.

Stephen and Christopher decided to establish this scholarship because of their desire to help students in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender community at MSU and to inspire these students to have the confidence to succeed in their professional careers. Stephen Pougnet graduated from MSU with a BA in 1985 from the Eli Broad College of Business. He is currently a councilman for the City of Palm Springs, where he also develops and sells real estate. Christopher Green graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a BA in Business Administration in 1982 and a BS in Nursing in 1985; he also received an MBA from the University of Colorado in 1998. He currently works in sales and marketing for AMGEN, Inc.

Application procedure

The application procedure is the same for all three of these scholarships. You may request to be considered for any or all of the scholarships with only one application. Please note that each scholarship is targeted at students with specific experiences.

Please submit materials by TBA, 2009 to: Scholarship, LBGT Resource Center, 302 Student Services, Michigan State University, East Lansing MI 48824-1113. You may submit your application materials by mail, email, or use our online form, if you prefer.

If you would like this information in printed form, you may download it in MS Word or PDF format.

Please submit the following information:

• Your name (legal and preferred, if applicable) and contact information (and PID if you are an MSU student).
• An informal essay explaining why you are seeking one of these scholarships and your relevant experience in light of the above descriptions of the scholarships. You may mention, but need not prove, financial need. The essay should be 500 - 1,000 words in length; two to three pages. You may want to consider touching on these topics:
  • Ways in which having this scholarship will help you to 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 or oppressions, for example, LBGT communities and People of Color communities.
  • Obstacles or challenges you have faced and overcome in relation to your LBGT involvement or activism.
• For which of the three scholarships you wish to be considered; any or all.

No letters of recommendation or formal transcripts are required, but we strongly suggest you request and include at least one letter of recommendation. Please be aware that by submitting your application you are giving us permission to access your MSU academic records or admissions information. Remember that your application is not complete until we receive your essay!

Regardless of how you submit you materials, please be certain to give us a valid email address so we can acknowledge receipt and be in contact with you!. If you have any questions, please give us a call (517-353-9520) or send us an email: lbgtrc @ msu.edu (please use the word "scholarship" in the subject line).

LBGT Resource Center
302 Student Services
Michigan State University
East Lansing MI 48824-1113