2026 Scholar Support Fund

2026 Scholar Support Fund Application is now closed.

The support fund application will reopen in January 2027.

 

The Scholar Support Fund 

The Scholar Support Fund (SSF) provides low-barrier grants to current Pride Foundation scholars facing urgent material needs that could affect their safety, well-being, or stability.

We created this fund in response to what scholars have shared with us about the financial pressure and hardship they are navigating. A scholarship can make a major difference, but we also know that unexpected costs and basic needs have an impact on whether school feels possible.

This fund is one way Pride Foundation is working to show up for scholars beyond the scholarship award itself. Scholars do not need to prove hardship or provide receipts. We trust scholars to know what they need.

 

How It Works 

The Scholar Support Fund will open near the start of the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters to provide additional support when scholars may be experiencing gaps in support.

Grants are:

• $500
• Available to current Pride Foundation scholars facing urgent material needs
• Low-barrier and fast. No documentation or income verification required
• Reviewed on a rolling basis
• Available until funds for each semester are used

This fund provides:

• Rapid, flexible grants to address basic needs, safety, and stability
• Support for housing, food, relocation, transportation, medical needs, and more

This fund does not support:

• Tuition or fees already covered by Pride Foundation scholarships
• Investments, savings, or crypto/stock purchases
• Donations or fundraising contributions
• Non-essential travel (e.g., enrichment programs not tied to material need or relocation for safety)

Guidelines:

• Scholars may receive one SSF grant per calendar year
• Applications do not roll forward between funding periods
• If you are not funded, you may apply again when the next funding period opens, as long as you meet eligibility requirements
• If requests are similarly urgent, priority may be given to a scholar who has not yet received SSF support during the academic year

 

Who Can Apply

To be eligible for a grant, you must:

• Be a current Pride Foundation scholar, including newly awarded and multi-year scholars
• Be facing an urgent material need connected to your safety, well-being, or stability
• Have not already received an SSF grant during the calendar year

If you are not sure whether you qualify, please reach out.

 

Application & Review Process

To apply, complete the Scholar Support Fund application by clicking this link. The application asks for basic information, eligibility confirmation, and a brief description of your current need. 

The application also includes optional demographic and lived experience questions. These questions are only to help Pride Foundation understand what needs are showing up and where gaps may exist.

Applications are reviewed by the Scholarships team on a rolling basis, typically within 1–2 weeks of submission. We use a rubric to help review questions consistently and prioritize urgent needs.

If approved, you will receive a follow-up form requesting your payment details. Once we receive the required payment information, payments will be processed within a week.

ACH/direct deposit is usually the fastest option but may take 2-3 business days to appear in your account after processing. Mailed checks will take longer because of mailing time.

We know this fund is intended to respond to urgent needs, and we will move payments as quickly as we can. There are still processing and banking timelines that may affect when funds are received.

 

FAQs 

How do I apply? 

You can apply by completing the Scholar Support Fund application by clicking this link.

Who can apply for this fund?

Current Pride Foundation scholars, including newly awarded and multi-year recipients, who are facing an urgent material need.

What counts as an “urgent material need”?

Needs that impact your housing, safety, access to food or healthcare, transportation, or overall stability. This could include:

• Rent or utilities
• Groceries or hygiene supplies
• Medical care or medication
• Mental health care
• Transportation to school or work
• Relocation due to unsafe living conditions
• Other needs that support your well-being

You do not need to prove hardship or submit documentation.

How much is the grant?

Scholar Support Fund grants are $500.

We set the grant at this amount so the fund can provide meaningful support while staying below the tax reporting threshold for scholars. This helps reduce potential tax-related complications for scholars receiving support.

Can I receive more than one grant?

Scholars may receive one Scholar Support Fund grant per calendar year.

The fund opens during different parts of the academic year, but grant eligibility is tracked by calendar year for payment and tax reporting purposes.

For example, if you receive a grant in Fall 2026, you may apply again in Spring 2027 if you are still facing an urgent material need and funding is available. If you receive a grant in Spring 2027, you would not be eligible for another grant until 2028.

When will the fund be open? 

The Scholar Support Fund will open near the start of the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Our hope is that this timing provides additional support when scholars may be navigating new costs, transitions, or gaps in support.

What happens if funding runs out?? 

If funds for the current funding semester have been used, the application will close for that period.

Applications do not automatically carry over to the next semester, and eligible unfunded requests do not receive automatic priority in the next semester. If you are still facing an urgent material need, you may apply again when the next funding period opens.

Will I get priority if I was eligible before but did not receive funding? 

No. We only review applications submitted for a given semester. 

How do you decide who receives funding? 

We use a rubric to help review requests consistently and prioritize urgent needs.

Funding decisions are based on eligibility, urgency, type of need, clear use of funds, available funding, and how requests compare within the same funding period.

Do I need to provide proof or documentation? 

No. You do not need to provide receipts, proof of income, bills, or other documentation.

We trust scholars to know and name what they need. The application asks for a short explanation of the need so we can understand the request and make decisions. 

How long does the review process take? 

Most decisions are made within 1–2 weeks of submission.

This timeline may shift depending on application volume, available funding, or payment processing needs.

How will I receive the grant? 

You can choose: 

• ACH/direct deposit
• Check by mail

If you do not have a stable mailing address or bank access right now, you can indicate that in the application and we will follow up with you. 

How long will it take to receive the grant? 

• Payments are processed within a week after we receive the required payment information.
• ACH/direct deposit is usually the fastest option, though bank processing may still take 2-3 business days.
• Mailed checks may take longer because of mailing time.

Who should I contact with questions?  

If you have questions about the fund or need support completing the application, you can reach out to Nikson, Scholarships Program Officer, at Nikson@PrideFoundation.org.