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Scholarships and Grants Overview

LGBTQ+ Students and Allies: Each semester, QVA awards scholarships and grants to full-time, highly motivated UVA undergraduate and graduate students who are LGBTQ+ or allies, with award amounts varying between $500 and $5,000. Decisions regarding recipients and award amounts are based on a demonstrated commitment to bettering the lives of LGBTQ+ people at UVA and beyond, financial need, academic achievement, and extracurricular activities. QVA also provides support through Student Group Grants, Speaker Series Grants, Internship & Study Abroad Grants, and Professional Development Grants.

Students who applied last semester and received funding are ineligible for funding this semester, but are encouraged to apply again next semester.

Apply on AwardSpring

Financial Need Grants

Awarded to highly motivated UVA undergraduate and graduate students who are LGBTQ+ or allies and have financial need. Decisions are based on academic achievement, financial need, essays, extracurricular activities, and demonstrated commitment to bettering the LGBTQ+ community at UVA and beyond.

  • Who: Current undergraduate or graduate students who are LGBTQ+ or allies, attend UVA full-time, and have financial need
  • What: Financial awards up to several thousand dollars, processed through Student Financial Services and directly applied to student accounts
  • Application Deadline: November 1, 2026
  • Apply Today: Apply for a Financial Need Grant
  • Contact: Scholarships@QueerVirginia.org

The Jeffrey L. Reider & Charles F. Otis Endowed Prize

The Jeffrey L. Reider and Charles F. Otis Endowed Prize provides an annual one-time scholarship award of up to $5,000 to a UVA student of any sexual orientation who has demonstrated a willingness to advance the rights and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. Activity in music and the arts will also be considered. Decisions are made by a committee consisting of faculty chair Fred Maus and four students involved with the LGBTQ+ community at UVA. AwardSpring will direct you to contact a reference to make a required recommendation as part of your application.

  • Who: Current undergraduate (excluding first-years) or graduate students who attend UVA full-time and will be returning next semester
  • What: One-time award of up to $5,000
  • Application Deadline: TBD (April 2027)
  • Apply Today: AwardSpring Link Coming Soon
  • Questions/Contact: StudentAffairs@QueerVirginia.org

The John A. Herring Scholarship for Social Awareness

The John A. Herring Scholarship for Social Awareness is awarded to UVA students who demonstrate leadership, citizenship, and fellowship and have actively supported, through volunteerism and advocacy, the LGBTQ Center at UVA. Rather than self-nomination, the recipient(s) will be selected through nominations submitted by peers, students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

  • Who: Current undergraduate or graduate students who attend UVA full-time
  • What: One-time award of $5,000
  • Application Deadline: TBD (April 2027)
  • Apply Today: AwardSpring Link Coming Soon
  • Questions/Contact: StudentAffairs@QueerVirginia.org

Ad-Hoc Grants

The following grants are open year-round and evaluated on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified of a decision approximately two weeks after the monthly application review deadline passes. Grant funds can take 2-3 weeks to process and disburse. The application deadlines for the 2026-2027 school year are as follows:

  • 9/29/26
  • 10/27/26
  • 11/24/26
  • 12/15/26
  • 1/26/27
  • 2/23/27
  • 3/30/27
  • 4/27/27
  • 5/18/27

Please contact StudentAffairs@QueerVirginia.org with questions.

Student Group Grants

Through its Student Group Grants, QVA seeks to provide financial support to UVA student groups and community members for events, particularly those with an LGBTQ+ focus. When completing the application, please be aware that requests are evaluated and awarded monthly, and funds can take 2-3 weeks to process and disburse.

Speaker Series Grants

Through its Speaker Series Grants, QVA seeks to provide financial support for UVA undergraduate and graduate students and student groups to bring LGBTQ+ leaders and speakers on LGBTQ+ topics to Grounds. When completing the application, please be aware that requests are evaluated and awarded monthly, and funds can take 2-3 weeks to process and disburse.

Internship & Study Abroad Grants

Through its Internship and Study Abroad Grants, QVA seeks to provide financial support to highly motivated UVA undergraduate and graduate students who are LGBTQ+ or allies, have financial need, and have been offered an unpaid internship or accepted to a study abroad program. When completing the application, please be aware that requests are evaluated and awarded monthly, and funds can take 2-3 weeks to process and disburse.

Professional Development Grants

Through its Professional Development Grants, QVA seeks to provide financial support to highly motivated UVA undergraduate and graduate students who are LGBTQ+ or allies, have financial need, and have opportunities to participate in conferences or other professional development activities. When completing the application, please be aware that requests are evaluated and awarded monthly, and funds can take 2-3 weeks to process and disburse.

  • Who: UVA undergraduate and graduate students who are LGBTQ+ or allies and have financial need
  • What: Funding for professional development program costs, as well as travel, lodging, food, and the purchase of professional attire.
  • When: Awarded on a rolling, monthly basis (see above for deadlines)
  • Apply Today: Apply for the Professional Development Grants
  • Questions/Contact: StudentAffairs@QueerVirginia.org