Also Youth

Scholarship Opportunities

We Support You!

ALSO Youth is proud to offer five 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. Learn more about the available scholarships below!

Scholarship applications open January 8, 2025. Application deadline is March 31, 2025.

Download the Application:

2025 _ALSO Youth&PPSRQ_Scholarship Application.pdf

ALSO Youth Betsy Nelson Scholarship

Formerly known as the ALSO Youth scholarship, the ALSO Youth Betsy Nelson Scholarship honors one of our founding members. Betsy led a group of individuals who 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 was the first President of ALSO Youth and was instrumental in sustaining and growing it through the first decade. Her 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.

Betsy's dedication to providing support for LGBTQ+ youth made an impact that we will continue to celebrate and honor with the 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.