BranchOUT Scholarships
OUT Arts & Culture, Gulfport FL
Three $2000 Scholarships Available for 2025
2025 SCHOLARSHIPS
Once again, OUT Arts & Culture is proud to support continuing education for LGBTQ+ students in Pinellas County. Three scholarships of $2000 each are available for the 2025 school year. This year’s awards target the Emerging Scholar, Continuing Scholar and Returning Scholar with different levels of work/life experience.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Applications OPEN August 15, 2024
Deadline to Apply is September 30, 2024
—
Winners to be Announced October 11 -
National Coming Out Day
EMERGING SCHOLAR
CONTINUING SCHOLAR
RETURNING SCHOLAR
QUALIFICATIONS
All applicants must live, work, and/or study in Pinellas County, Florida.
BranchOUT Emerging Scholar
Award $2000
TARGET:
Those starting their post-secondary education journeys (graduating high school seniors, recent high school graduates, recent GED recipients).
QUALIFICATIONS:
LGBTQ individual who has graduated high school or received GED within the last two years.
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS:
Colleges and Universities, Career / Technical schools, Vocational / Trade schools, certification and licensing programs.
BranchOUT Continuing Scholar
Award $2000
JACKIE MERKIN Scholarship
Given in memory of Jackie Merkin—lesbian, social justice activist, Gulfport resident.
TARGET:
Those currently attending a post- secondary education program and looking to continue their education or gain new skills.
QUALIFICATIONS:
LGBTQ individual, currently attending a post-secondary program AND has been out of high school for at least two years.
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS:
Colleges and Universities, Career / Technical schools, Vocational / Trade schools, certificate or licensing programs, advanced degree programs, Law School, Medical School
BranchOUT Returning Scholar
Award $2000
TARGET:
Those who have been out of high school or post-secondary education for more than two years and planning / accepted into a program for a career change, additional certifications or licensing, retired person looking to expand their knowledge.
QUALIFICATIONS:
LGBTQ individual, has not attended an academic institution/program for more than two years.
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS:
Colleges and Universities, Career / Technical schools, Vocational / trade schools, certificate or licensing programs, advanced degree programs, Law School, Medical School
Scholarship funding will be paid directly to the school attended. Monies may be used for tuition, housing, books, computers purchased through the school.
2024 Winners Announced
On October 11, 2023, the BranchOUT Scholarships for 2024 were awarded to three very worthy recipients. We're proud to share a little information about them. Download the official press release. Congrats!
About the 2024 Winners
Emerging Scholar
Bryan Hinkson is a proud Suncoast Softball Hall of Fame member, a student of Graphic Design at St. Pete College and an intern at Cox Media. His voice also is heard on the award-winning Big Gay Radio Show from midnight to 3 a.m. on WMNF 88.5 FM. Bryan’s goal is to become a full-time Graphic Designer.
Continuing Scholar
Jamie Riley’s path has led him from teaching elementary school in Korea, North Carolina and Taiwan to studying for an MDiv in Interfaith Chaplaincy. He is currently a Chaplain Intern at BayCare Hospital, with the goal of becoming “a visibly queer Buddhist hospital chaplain.” Riley also performs stand-up at Spitfire Comedy Club in St. Petersburg.
Returning Scholar
June Parlett Norsworthy has spent more than 50 years raising awareness of lesbians’ contributions to art and music through online images and videos. Her subjects have ranged from fine artists to the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival and TIGLFF. She is continuing digital photography studies at St. Pete College.
BranchOUT Application
The 2025 BranchOUT Application will be available here
on Aug. 15th, 2024!