Scholarships

In 2002, Hofstra University established an unprecedented scholarship program for students engaged in service to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) community. The program is designed to demonstrate Hofstra's commitment to equality and support for LGBTQ+ individuals. The program now includes the Hofstra Law School Fellowships for Advocacy for the Equality of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People, as well as another scholarship for undergraduates, which is described here.

Undergraduate Scholarships

LGBTQ+ Activism Scholarship

The intent of this scholarship is to promote activism in support of the LGBTQ+ community. This scholarship is open to any applicant, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, who has a demonstrable record or strong potential in support of LGBTQ+ activism. The award committee recognizes that so-called "straight allies" can have a dramatic impact on LGBTQ+ issues, and strongly encourages their applications.

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic ability and experience promoting activism in support of the LGBTQ+ community. The amount of the scholarship is dependent on academic ability, with high-achieving students eligible for full tuition scholarships and summer stipends for academic or activist pursuits. Recipients of the scholarship will choose a faculty mentor who will serve as a source of support and advice in addition to the student's academic advisor.

The Mildred Elizabeth McGinnis Endowed Scholarship

The Mildred Elizabeth McGinnis Endowed Scholarship was established to assist LGBTQ+ students in the humanities. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of demonstrated economic need to an undergraduate LGBTQ+ student majoring in any humanities discipline with at least a 3.0 GPA. (If no suitable LGBTQ+ student is identified, the scholarship will be awarded to a student who can show assistance to the LGBTQ+ community and meets all the other terms of the requirements.)

Robert P. Sulcer Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to deserving first-year English majors who are selected on the basis of academic achievement or potential and/or financial need and have a demonstrated commitment to activism and advocacy on behalf of LGBT individuals. Awarded by the Office of Financial Aid (no separate application; awarded automatically to eligible students).

Steven Salbu Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a deserving student selected on the basis of academic achievement or potential and/or financial need. The recipient will have a demonstrated commitment to activism and advocacy on behalf of the LGBT community. Awarded by the Office of Financial Aid (no separate application; awarded automatically to eligible students).

Bettina D. Hindin '82 Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a student(s) studying Elementary or Secondary Education, with a minimum GPA of 3.0, selected on the basis of academic achievement or potential and/or financial need. The recipient will have a demonstrated commitment to activism and advocacy on behalf of LGBT individuals. Awarded by the Office of Financial Aid (no separate application; awarded automatically to eligible students).

Jill M. Rabin Endowed Scholarship in Memory of Audrey Lee Kurland

This scholarship is awarded to deserving pre-med students selected on the basis of academic achievement or potential and/or financial need and who have a demonstrated commitment to activism and advocacy on behalf of LGBT individuals. Awarded by the Office of Financial Aid (no separate application; awarded automatically to eligible students).

Application Process

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic ability and their demonstrated record or strong potential to support LGBTQ+ activism. In addition to the usual Hofstra application process, applicants for the scholarship must submit an essay that discusses past, current, and/or future LGBTQ+ activism, or describes the applicant's thoughts and convictions on a particular LGBTQ+ issue. The applicant can also provide supporting letters and documentation as evidence of past or current activism.