The 2026 UGLA Scholarship Program

Four-year colleges and universities

 

Since 2021, the Uptown Gay and Lesbian Alliance has awarded $55,500 in scholarships to graduating seniors from Los Angeles area high schools who were going on to four-year colleges and universities. To receive one of those scholarships, recipients successfully demonstrated their active support for issues of social justice, focusing on matters such as inclusion, equality, and opportunity for members and allies of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and queer community.

UGLA is continuing this program for 2026, awarding scholarships at the $2,500 and $1,500 levels to seniors  graduating  from  high  schools  in the Los  Angeles  area who demonstrate similar active support of  social justice issues for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. The 2026 scholars, along with those from previous years, will play a critical role in the ongoing struggle for social justice … helping reinforce UGLA’s advocacy of these social justice issues.


Two-year colleges

In 2023, UGLA began a scholarship program for students who are enrolled in coursework at Glendale Community College and Pasadena City College. These scholarships are administered by the cooperating community colleges and are available to students pursuing two-year degree and vocational education programs. For information on Glendale Community College scholarships, click here. For information on Pasadena City College scholarships, click here.

 

 

To stay up to date …

Click here to visit our Instagram page. To stay current with any changes or new developments, be sure to “follow” that Instagram page.

 

 

How do I apply for an UGLA Scholarship?…

To apply for a 2026 UGLA Scholarship, you will need to provide the following documentation.

  • Required items
    • Online application form
    • Personal statement
    • Letter of acceptance from your college or university
    • Head and shoulders photo of yourself
  • Optional information to support your application
    • Letter of recommendation
    • Transcript
    • Awards, letters of commendation, and other items you would like the
      reviewers to see

You will attach those items to your online application, so these items must be completed and ready to go in PDF format (PND or JPG for your photo) before you begin the online application.

To help you prepare the documentation you need to submit with your application, we have prepared a “Checklist for preparing your 2026 UGLA Scholarship application materials”. Click here to download this document.

This document explains the nature of each of items you must submit with your application, with tips on how to prepare. We suggest that you save and print this file, as you will need it as a reference while you complete your application package.

Once all of your documentation has been gathered together in PDF format (PND or JPG for your photo), you are ready to complete and submit the package.

 

Submitting your Application Package

Your application package must be received by UGLA no later than March 31, 2026.

Please note the following.

  • It is critical that your application package reflect your involvement in social justice issues … either as a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally.
  • If you are selected to receive an UGLA Scholarship Award, you will be expected to attend the UGLA Scholarship Award Ceremony on June 14, 2026 at 2:00pm. It will be held in the northeast Los Angeles area, with details provided later.

After you complete the online application and submit it, you will:

  • See an acknowledgement on your screen that your submitted application has been received.
  • Receive an e-mail which also acknowledges the receipt of your application. 

When you are ready, click APPLY. Thanks for your interest in the 2026 UGLA Scholarship Program… and best wishes. 

 

 

 

For members and friends of UGLA

If you are interested in helping support our youth through the UGLA Scholarship Program, click on the “Support” button below.

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