rise up scholarship

Purpose

LGBTQIA+ individuals face greater socioeconomic and health disadvantages compared to their heterosexual & cisgender counterparts. With this fund, we aim to assist members of the LGBTQIA+ community, including straight and cis allies, in achieving their education goals through offering financial support during their enrollment in an institute of higher learning.  

Eligibility

This scholarship opportunity is open to LGBTQIA+, nonbinary youth, and their straight and cisgender allies, 25 years of age and under (at the time of application). Applicants must reside in Virginia at the time of application, and attend, or plan to attend a four-year college or university (including graduate school). Funding may be used for tuition, room and board, or books and supplies.

Requirements

Applicants will submit an essay (1000 word maximum) or video (no more than 3 minutes in length) explaining their role in the LGBTQIA+ community and how this scholarship would benefit their education and expand their impact for the larger LGBTQIA+ community post-graduation. Preference will be given to students based on financial need, community service, and commitment to inclusive advocacy work.

Applicants will include contact information (email) of a sponsor who can attest to the applicant’s history of advocacy.  Sponsors can include non-relative adults including mentors, teachers, coaches, etc. Sponsors will be required to complete an online form attesting to the applicants advocacy and accomplishments. The Rise Up scholarship committee will contact sponsors via email with the necessary form. 

Scholarship recipients will be required to provide confirmation of their GPA (unofficial transcript) upon selection. After selection, recipients will need to provide their legal name if over 18, and contact information for their legal guardian if under 18, in order to disburse funding.

Casa BruMar Foundation understands that not everyone is safe to express their LGBTQIA+ advocacy.  If you are not comfortable sharing your name for publication, please email us at riseupbycbf@gmail.com to discuss alternative sponsorship opportunities.

Award

The primary recipient will receive scholarship disbursement biannually with current funding of up to $1,000 per year. Continued eligibility will be evaluated on a semiannual basis. Maximum duration of award will be for a period of 4 years (8 disbursements), contingent on funding. Additional recipients may also be provided with one time awards, dependent on funding.

Continued Eligibility

Recipients must continue their full-time enrollment in a four-year college or university to be eligible for continued scholarship disbursement. This scholarship will travel with the student if they transfer schools. If a student drops to part-time enrollment, and was eligible for multiple disbursements, they forfeit remaining disbursements. Students who receive this scholarship are ambassadors of change. Recipients who engage in behavior that harms the LGBTQIA+ community or other marginalized communities risk losing the scholarship. If a recipient’s permanent mailing address changes outside of Virginia after receiving the scholarship, they do not forfeit the scholarship.

Timeline

January 15 2024 12:00 am

Scholarship applications open 

April 15, 2024 11:59 pm

Scholarship applications close, recommendation forms are also due at this time

May 15, 2024

Awardees will be notified via email

June 2024

Public announcement of awardees

July 2024

Awardees to submit proof of enrollment

August 2024

Fall semester scholarships disbursed

September 2024

Celebration of awardees at Casa BruMar Foundation Annual Symposium

December 2024

Proof of continued enrollment due, subcommittee meets to determine continued eligibility

January 2025

Spring semester scholarships disbursed

Contact

If you have any questions about the Rise Up scholarship, ways to donate, or opportunities to partner with Casa BruMar Foundation, please email us at riseupbycbf@gmail.com.  Thank you for supporting LGBTQIA+ youth in Virginia.