Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships
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ALSO Youth, in partnership with Project Pride SRQ, is proud to offer annual scholarship opportunities to provide financial support and encouragement to LGBTQ+ youth and allied youth who are pursuing continued education. These opportunities are merit/needs-based scholarship, open to all applicants regardless of immigration status.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Scholarship applicants must meet the following criteria:
- LGBTQ+ youth and allies under the age of 24, as of August 1st of the year of application.
- A resident of Sarasota or Manatee County.
- Enrolled at an accredited non-profit academic or vocational institution in the summer or fall of the year of application.
- Not a relative of ALSO Youth or Project Pride SRQ Board member or staff.
- Previously received fewer than two (2) ALSO Youth scholarships
Download the Application:
ALSO Youth Founders Scholarship
Formerly known as the ALSO Youth - Betsy Nelson scholarship, the ALSO Youth Founders Scholarship honors our founding members. This group of individuals were alarmed at the high rates of suicide among LGBTQ+ teens. In cooperation with Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), and other youth organizations, volunteers created the safe space drop-in center, services, & programs to form ALSO Youth.
Betsy Nelson was the first President of ALSO Youth and teamed up with other founders who were instrumental in sustaining and growing it through the first decade. Their leadership and courage helped ALSO Youth navigate the challenges of the 1990s which included the turmoil of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”, the “Defense of Marriage Act”, and bans on Same-Sex adoption in Florida.
Our founders dedication to providing support for LGBTQ+ youth made an impact that we will continue to celebrate and honor with this very special scholarship!
ELIGIBILITY:
Scholarship applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a resident of Sarasota or Manatee counties.
- Be enrolled at an accredited non-profit academic or vocational institution in the summer or fall of the year of application.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Scholarship applicants must submit the following to ALSO Youth by the deadline posted on ALSO’s website:
- A completed application form. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Transcript(s) of grades for the applicant’s most recently completed coursework. This may include high school transcripts, GED score report or any postsecondary transcripts.
- Two recommendation forms from non-related adults such as instructors, employers or mentors.
- An up-to-date, typed resume.
- A one-to-two page typed personal statement expressing why the applicant is applying for the scholarship, leadership positions or involvement in LGBTQ+ advocacy, their school GSA or Diversity Club, or ALSO Youth, and the applicant’s educational and career goals.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The Executive Committee of the Board of ALSO Youth will consider the following when selecting scholarship recipients:
- Academic achievement.
- Financial need.
- Finalists may be required to attend a personal interview with the selection committee.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
- Proof of enrollment or letter of acceptance will be required prior to checks being released.
- Scholarship funds are paid directly to the recipient’s school and are designated for tuition, required fees, books, and supplies only.
- Multiple scholarships will be awarded, with $500 being the minimum award.
- All applicants must submit these materials by March 31, 2025.
If you have any questions about the ALSO Scholarship, feel free to call our center (941) 254-7178, or email info@alsoyouth.org.
Greg Jung Scholarship
The Greg Jung Scholarship was created by a group of Greg's friends who were looking for a special way to celebrate their friend's life. Greg passed away on October 23, 2019 leaving behind his husband Chris Covelli and many family members and friends throughout the country. He was born in Illinois and began his teaching career in Missouri where he was an outstanding teacher, mentor, advocate and leader. He served the Missouri NEA as a Board member, Vice-President and eventually President. Greg was a founding member of the NEA's LGBTQ+ Caucus, a safe place for LGBTQ+ educators to advocate and learn together. In Sarasota, Greg was active with Equality Florida and Project Pride SRQ and supported many other organizations including ALSO Youth.
The Greg Jung Scholarship is an award to a high-school senior or college student under the age of 22 who is planning to pursue a degree in the field of education from an accredited college or university.
ELIGIBILITY:
Scholarship applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a resident of Sarasota or Manatee counties.
- Be enrolled at an accredited non-profit academic or vocational institution in the summer or fall of the year of application.
- Planning to pursue a degree in the field of education from an accredited college or university.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Scholarship applicants must submit the following to ALSO Youth by the deadline posted on ALSO’s website.
- A completed application form. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Transcript(s) of grades for the applicant’s most recently completed coursework. This may include high school transcripts, GED score report or any postsecondary transcripts.
- Two recommendation forms from non-related adults such as instructors, employers or mentors.
- An up-to-date, typed resume.
- A one-to-two page typed personal statement expressing why the applicant is applying for the scholarship and the applicant’s educational and career goals.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The Executive Committee of the Board of ALSO Youth will consider the following when selecting scholarship recipients:
- Academic achievement.
- Financial need.
- Finalists may be required to attend a personal interview with the selection committee.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
- Proof of enrollment or letter of acceptance will be required prior to checks being released.
- Scholarship funds are paid directly to the recipient’s school and are designated for tuition, required fees, books, and supplies only.
- Multiple scholarships will be awarded, with $500 being the minimum award.
- All applicants must submit these materials by March 31, 2025.
If you have any questions about the ALSO Scholarship, feel free to call our center (941) 254-7178, or email info@alsoyouth.org.
Project Pride SRQ STEM Scholarship
Project Pride SRQ Education Scholarship
Project Pride SRQ General Scholarship
Ken Shelin STEM Scholarship
Ken Shelin has been a dedicated supporter and advocate of ALSO Youth since its earliest years. For decades, he has believed deeply in the power of community, education, and opportunity to help LGBTQ+ young people thrive, values reflected in the creation of the Ken Shelin STEM Scholarship.
Professionally, Ken spent more than 30 years with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, where he held leadership roles across multiple states, helped shape federal regulatory policy, and received numerous national awards for excellence in public service. Following his federal career, he worked internationally as a consultant in pharmaceutical and biomedical regulatory compliance and served as a speaker and educator in partnership with the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy.
Beyond his professional work, Ken has been a tireless advocate for equality and inclusion in Sarasota and across Florida. He has served on numerous civic and government boards, including the Sarasota Planning Board and the Sarasota City Commission, where he successfully championed domestic partner health benefits for city employees. He has also been deeply involved with Equality Florida, serving on its board for six years, including two years as Chair of the Equality Florida Institute.
Ken’s lifelong commitment to LGBTQ+ rights, public service, and educational opportunity is what makes this scholarship so meaningful. Through this award, he hopes to support LGBTQ+ youth pursuing STEM fields, helping remove financial barriers and affirming that they belong — not only in their communities, but in the future they are building.
Ken lives in downtown Sarasota with his husband, Steve Stockwell, and remains an active supporter of ALSO Youth and LGBTQ+ youth across our region.
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