Scholarships
History
The Scarlet & Gay LGBTQ Alumni Society is dedicated to making studying at The Ohio State University a financial reality for more LGBTQ students and their allies. Realizing that the financial demands placed on students and families because of the rising cost of higher education is often multiplied for LGBTQ students, fundraising efforts by the society has made these scholarships a reality. We hope to reach students who have been turned away by their family for “coming out,” and help LGBTQ students address other unique financial issues. Ohio State is dedicated to diversity, and these scholarships become one more tool for the University to recruit a diverse student body. These funds encourage students to choose Ohio State, and make it easier for more students to continue pursuing academic excellence at Ohio State.
Since 1997, the University has partnered with the Columbus Chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) to offer the Eric Kohring – PFLAG Scholarship. A seed gift from the estate of Eric Kohring and various donations allowed the LGBTQ Alumni Society to offer both annual scholarships and to create the first endowed scholarship for LGBTQ students in the state of Ohio. In 2002, a gift from the estate of Harold “Marc” McIntosh created another five endowed scholarships for LGBTQ students. This gift was among the first to dedicate scholarships targeted towards people living with HIV and AIDS and towards LGBTQ students who are new to the University.
In 2005, an additional scholarship, entitled the Mark Moffett, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, was added to recognize an outstanding music major in the LGBTQ community. The fund continues towards endowment. In 2011, through a family donation, a new scholarship named after alumnus Thomas Fogel now grants $2,500 a year to a LGBTQ student with strong financial need. This fund will seek endowment over the next few years.
In 2014, through the generosity of our former OSU LGBTQ Alumni Society President, the Jack Miner Scholarship for Transgender Students was created, dedicated to recognizing students who identify as transgender and intersex and students who provide leadership and service within that community.
In 2022, Scarlet & Gay was one of a select few alumni societies chosen to participate in Ohio State’s First Lady Scholarship Challenge, contributing to the university’s goal of offering a debt-free bachelor’s degree within a decade. Scarlet and Gay’s highly successful National Coming Out Day Ad and passionate membership contributions helped expand our scholarship program even further to offer six new Scarlet & Gay Leadership & Service Scholarships.
If you are interested in donating funds toward our scholarship program, please email Kristina Toliver for more information.