PFLAG of Jacksonville Scholarship Program

Scholarship Sponsored by PFLAG of Jacksonville

Introduction and history
In 1996, leaders from PFLAG Jacksonville visited New Orleans and met young people who had benefited from college scholarships. Inspired by that meeting, they returned to Jacksonville determined to create a similar scholarship program for students in Northeast Florida. Early awards were $500 each; by 2003 stronger fundraising allowed awards to rise to $1,000. Today PFLAG Jacksonville awards roughly 12 unencumbered scholarships a year, each worth up to $2,000.

Impact to date
Since the program began, PFLAG Jacksonville has issued more than 390 scholarships, totaling over $530,000. The scholarship effort now drives the organization’s main fundraising activities and represents the majority of its expenses.

Who reviews applications
An independent volunteer panel evaluates all applications.

Eligibility
- Applicants must be OUT LGBTQ+ individuals who either recently lived in or currently attend school in one of these counties: Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, or St. Johns.
- Applicants must have been admitted to a post-secondary institution (college, university, trade or technical school) and be enrolled by August 1 of the award year.
- Applicants should demonstrate participation in activities that benefit the LGBTQ+ community.
- Applicants must be openly out. As Frieda has counseled students: if you are not out and your parents are unwilling to assist, do not apply—because the program publicizes recipients and the award amount may not justify that exposure.

Enrollment status and preference
- Preference is given to full-time students. Full-time is defined as 12 semester hours or more for undergraduate programs and 9 semester hours or more for graduate programs.
- Part-time students and those enrolled in continuing education may be considered in some cases.

Award amounts and disbursement
- Full-time recipients who meet the semester-by-semester award criteria will receive two payments: $1,000 for the fall semester and $1,000 for the spring semester (total up to $2,000).
- Part-time recipients who meet the semester criteria will receive two payments: $500 for the fall semester and $500 for the spring semester.

Application details and changes
- The school and major listed on your application must match the school and major for which you are registering for fall classes.
- Any changes to your application, including school or major, must be submitted by the application deadline: June 13, 2026.

How to apply
- Download and complete the PDF application forms using the free Adobe Reader. The PDF text fields are fillable and will automatically adjust to fit your responses.
- If you have questions, encounter problems with the forms, or need more information, contact application@pflagjax.org or call 904-737-3329.

Deadlines
- Application submissions must be received by June 13, 2026. Applications submitted after that date will not be considered.