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NIPA Pride Scholarships

Education is a core value of our organization. We are committed to providing insightful and impactful educational opportunities to our community and are proud to support our local youth in pursuing their bright futures. 

 

The North Idaho Pride Alliance will award selected North Idaho students a one-time $1,500 scholarship to help encourage and foster their higher educational journey - for the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 academic year.

This annual scholarship has been made possible by our incredible donors and supporters to help our local students achieve their educational goals. Funded annually by our Pride Endowment, the North Idaho Pride Alliance will select students throughout Northern Idaho to benefit from this scholarship. By supporting LGBTQIA2S+ youth, we empower them to thrive and continue making positive impacts worldwide.

Click Here to Apply for a NIPA Educational Pride ScholarshipClick Here to Support Our Endowment with a Gift

The North Idaho Pride Alliance (NIPA) Pride Scholarship is designed to support graduating high school seniors from Region 1 who identify as members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. The scholarship aims to promote equity, access, and educational opportunity by reducing financial barriers to post-secondary education and affirming the identities, resilience, and future goals of LGBTQIA2S+ students in northern Idaho.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Residency Requirement: Applicants must attend a high school or homeschool program located within Idaho Region 1, which includes the following counties: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone.

  • GPA Requirement: Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Applicants with a GPA below 2.5 may be considered if they submit an additional personal statement or a letter of recommendation addressing academic growth, resilience, or extenuating circumstances.

  • Other Eligibility Criteria:

    • Applicant must identify as a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community.

Required Application Materials:

  • Completed Application Form

  • Personal statement/essay

    • Essay Prompt: Please describe how your identity, experiences, and goals have shaped your educational journey. How do you hope your post-secondary education will help you contribute to your community or create positive change?

    • Word Count: 500–750 words

  • Official or Unofficial High School Transcript

  • One or More Letters of Recommendation (from a teacher, counselor, advisor, employer, or community leader)

  • Proof of College Acceptance or Enrollment (acceptance letter or enrollment confirmation)

  • Additional Materials (optional):

    • Resume, list of extracurricular or community involvement, or documentation of leadership, advocacy, or service

    • Scholarship for the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Academic Year

    • Scholarship Award Amount: $1,500

    • One-Time Scholarship

    • Funds may be used for:

      • Tuition for part-time or full-time post-secondary education at any accredited 2-year or 4-year institution in the United States, including vocational, technical, or academic programs.

    • Applications will be evaluated holistically using the following criteria:

      • Demonstrated commitment to education and personal growth

      • Thoughtfulness, authenticity, and clarity in the personal statement

      • Alignment with NIPA’s mission and values

      • Resilience, leadership, advocacy, or community involvement

      • Academic effort and trajectory (not solely GPA)

    • Funds will be distributed directly to the recipient’s college or post-secondary institution

    • Upon verification of enrollment, typically during the first academic term following award notification, funds will be distributed.

      • Required Documentation: Proof of enrollment and institutional payment information

    • Application Opens: February 1, 2026

    • Application Deadline: April 1, 2026

    • Selection Date: April 15, 2026

    • Notification to Recipient: On or before April 20, 2026

    • Award Presentation (optional): North Idaho Pride Alliance event, board meeting, or virtual announcement

    • Funds Distributed: May–August 2026 (depending on enrollment start date)

    • Scholarship funds must be used for educational expenses only.

    • Recipient(s) must enroll in an accredited post-secondary institution in the fall immediately after high school graduation.

    • Funds are non-transferable and may not be deferred.

    • North Idaho Pride Alliance reserves the right to withhold or revoke the award if eligibility requirements are not met or information is falsified.

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