LGBTQIA Student Need
College can be a transitory time for students experiencing self-exploration and discovery as they learn about and communicate their gender and sexual orientation for the first time. Although acceptance for LGBTQIA+ people is increasing nationally, LGBTQIA+ students still experience overwhelming rates of rejection from parents, family, and guardians, and commonly experience a disruption in financial support during college.
- LGBTQ+ young adults are 120x more likely to experience homelessness.1
- LGBTQ+ young adults participate in SNAP benefits 21% more than their peers.
- 27% of LGBTQ+ young adults experience food insecurity.2
The LGBTQIA Student Emergency Fund was established by the LGBTQIA Resource Center, GT Lavender Alumni and Pride Alliance to assist LGBTQIA students at Georgia Tech with emergency expenses.
Application
Please fill out the request for funding via the LGBTQIA Emergency Fund Application form. You should receive a response to your application within the week.
Eligibility
- Must be currently enrolled
- Minimum GPA requirements of 2.0
- Have not reached the annual funding limit
- Must identify as a member of the LGBTQIA community
Each applicant's name will be shared with the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid to ensure that the distribution of these funds does not negatively impact a student's current financial aid awards.
Eligible Expense
The LGBTQIA Student Emergency Fund is funding available to Georgia Tech students to use in the case of emergencies. An emergency implies a combination of critical, unforeseen circumstances that require immediate attention. Emergency funding should not be used as a regular source of funding to meet student need. Students may utilize emergency funding for unexpected expenses that relate to academics, housing, food, medical, or those expenses specifically connected to a student’s LGBTQIA identity (replacing Buzz card, off-campus consultation fees, gender affirming product purchase, etc.)
Examples include but are not limited to:
- Emergency Housing
- Food
- Trans Specific Needs: buzzcards, legal name changes,
- Medical: HRT, STI Testing, Counseling,
- Unexpected Expenses: car repair, medical,
- Academic: books, software, programs etc
Funding Limitations
Funding limitations are placed at $500/academic year, exceptions can be made at the discretion of the Director of LGBTQIA Resource Center. As this funding source is mean to be an emergency fund, we encourage students to seek support from the Deans of Students Office or Financial Aid identify long term funding needs.
Distribution of Funds
Approved grants will be distributed to students through the Bursar's Office. Awardees should ensure that they are enrolled in direct deposit to avoid check processing wait-time. Grant funds will not be directly applied to an outstanding balance on your account, but outstanding balances may delay receiving of funds from the Emergency Fund.