Apply – The Soule Foundation

The SOULE Foundation

The SOULE Foundation is designed to create an experience geared to support, develop and promote the educational advancement of LGBTQ youth and young people of color. The SOULE Foundation started as an extension of SOULE, a multimedia organization dedicated to representing, connecting, and empowering the Black LGBTQ community. As important as our youth are, The SOULE Foundation has recognized the imperative need to ensure their viability, mental sustainability, and success.

We work to give LGBTQ youth and young adults of color the tools, advice, and support to not just get through college, but to excel in college; have a fulfilled personal life, and design a great career.

We provide financial assistance and support beyond tuition to help LGBTQ youth and young adults of color achieve their fullest potential. Our goal is to empower youth by building a bridge between obstacles and opportunity.

The SOULE Foundation provides annual scholarships for up to $5,000 to eligible youth and young adults in pursuit of an undergraduate or graduate degree. In addition, based on need, we also provide financial support for books and other school necessities.

Eligibility Criteria:

LGBTQ youth and young adults of color are eligible to be considered for a SOULE Foundation scholarship if they meet the following criteria:

Have attained a cumulative high school or college GPA of at least 2.5
Have a high school diploma or GED
Are enrolled at a U.S. located, accredited college or university as a full-time student.
Have submitted FAFSA by the deadline
Meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria
Two (2) letters of recommendation (form attached at the end of the application)
Award Winner/s must be available for photo/video shoot to receive the award.
Award Winner/s must be available to attend the Soule Foundation Gala

College advisor & guidance seeking advertisement collateral, email us at scholarships@soulefoundation.org

Application

Recommendation Form

Scholarship FAQ

Who is eligible to apply?

Any LGBTQ youth or young adult of color who has graduated from high school, meets the aforementioned eligibility criteria, and is looking to enroll or is currently enrolled in higher education.

How will I know that my application has been received?

An email acknowledging receipt of the application is sent within 24 hours. The acknowledgment is sent to the email address provided when applying. If an acknowledgment is not received within 24 hours, please contact the SOULE Foundation by email at scholarship@soulefoundation.org or call (347) 687-6853‬ .

What are the details of the award?

The scholarship is awarded once for the semester for which you applied.
The overall number of awards will be determined by the funds available and the number of applicants.
The scholarships can be applied to tuition, fees, room and board, books, and any additional wrap-around services required by the scholar to complete their course load at accredited, two- or four-year colleges/universities in the United States.

Can I apply every year for a scholarship?

Yes, you can apply every academic year regardless of whether you have received an award from us before. If you have been awarded a scholarship previously we will ask that you volunteer time to support the Soule Foundation. More information will be provided to you if we are moving forward with your application.

Is there a deadline date for submitting applications?

No, we accept applications on a rolling basis. After submission and the deadline date, students will continue to have access to their portal to view their submission, receive status updates and update profile information, but no changes or additions can be made to the application.

Are home school students eligible to apply for the program?

Yes, provided the student meets the criteria of the program.

Will the scholarship be taxable?

Generally, the scholarship will not be taxable as long as it is used for qualifying expenses such as tuition, books, and fees. However, a recipient should consult their tax adviser to determine whether or not it is taxable in their circumstance.

How is the award money disbursed?

For tuition, checks will be made payable to the institution. For books and other school supplies, checks will be made payable directly to the student.

How and when will I receive notification?

All applicants will be notified via email within two months of the submission of a completed application. Past experience indicates that emails are sometimes not received or successfully delivered. Be sure to keep your email address current in your student profile.

How do I send my transcript?

Transcripts must be uploaded with your application.

What are the transcript requirements?

A current, complete high school or college transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Unofficial or online transcripts must display student name, school name, grades, credit hours for each course, and the term the course was taken.