bpsf academic scholarship 10/15-12/1/2026

The BPSF Academic Scholarship supports LGBTQIA+ students pursuing post-secondary education in Hays County by helping offset tuition and other educational expenses.

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about the scholarship

The BPSF Academic Scholarship supports LGBTQIA+ students pursuing post-secondary education in Hays County by helping offset tuition and other educational expenses. The program consists of two dedicated scholarship funds, the Nations Family Scholarship and the Victor Saldivar Academic Scholarship. Students submit one application to be considered for funding from either opportunity.

The amount of these reimbursement-based scholarships varies depending on the cost of the post-secondary program the recipient is attending, with a maximum award of $1,000. Funds are provided as a reimbursement after the recipient accepts the award and submits documentation showing they have paid at least $1,000 toward tuition or other program costs.

For questions about allowable education-related expenses, please email scholarship@bpsfhays.org.

The BPSF Academic Scholarship is made possible through a deep commitment to community, fueled by generous donors who believe in expanding access to higher education. It reflects a shared investment in supporting students and strengthening the Hays County community through education.

HOW TO APPLY

To be eligible to apply for the BPSF Academic Scholarship, an applicant must submit:

If you are awarded a scholarship, you will be required to show proof of residency in Hays County (this can be a rental agreement, utility bill, etc. that clearly indicates your name and address) AND a copy of a government issued photo I.D. (Driver’s License, Passport (foreign or U.S., or I.D.) in order for your application to be complete.

We understand some individuals’ identities may not be affirmed by government issued documentation. BPSF always respects a person’s identity and uses the names and pronouns provided on the application. If you have any questions regarding this process, or if you encounter accessibility issues, please email BPSF at scholarship@bpsfhays.org.

1

Proof of residency

Files will be deleted once scholarship funds are distributed.

You will need to upload a legible proof of enrollment from the educational institution you have been accepted into. i.e. tuition receipt, welcome letter.
Acceptable file types are: pdf, png, jpg, bmp. A maximum of 3 attachments are allowed. The filename for each attachment must include your first and last name.

2

Legible proof of enrollment

There are two required open-ended prompts. You may submit your responses in any of the following formats:

  • Written - 500 words or less per response (Paste your written response in the space provided)

  • Video or Audio - 3 minute maximum per response (Paste a link to your video or audio response in the space provided)

3

submit short essay questions

Prompt 1: Tell us about your education program and how it aligns with your future goals.

Prompt 2: How would receiving the BPSF Academic Scholarship help reduce financial barriers and support your continued academic success?

There are also two optional open-ended prompts. You may choose to respond to ONE of the optional prompts. This section is optional, but it gives the review committee a chance to learn more about you, your background, and your interest in making a positive impact in your community. Although not required, responses in this section are reviewed and scored, and strong answers can earn additional points and strengthen your overall application.

Optional Open-ended Prompts

  • Written: 500 words or less per response (Paste your written response in the space provided)

  • Video or Audio: 3 minute maximum per response (Paste a link to your video or audio response in the space provided)

  • Creative Project: (i.e. art, poem, song) (Paste a link to your project in the space provided)

Option 1: Tell us about your involvement in the LGBTQIA+ community or other communities. How do you want to make a positive impact in your community(ies)?
Option 2: How have your LGBTQIA+ identity and the other identities you hold influenced your educational and professional journey? In what ways do these identities shape the impact you hope to make in the future?

Applicants may choose ONE submission format to answer ONE of the optional prompts.

AI Usage Policy

We encourage all applicants to submit original, authentic responses that reflect their own lived experiences, perspectives, and goals. Your voice matters, and we want to hear your story.
The use of AI tools to generate responses is not permitted. However, applicants may use AI or other tools for editing, proofreading, or grammar support, as long as the ideas and content are their own.

All submissions will be reviewed using AI-detection tools prior to being shared with reviewers. Responses identified as more than 70% AI-generated will be disqualified and removed from consideration.
If you choose to use editing support, we encourage you to review your final submission carefully to ensure it accurately reflects your voice and experiences.
If you have any questions about this requirement, please contact us at scholarship@bpsfhays.org.

thank you to our donors and legends who make this movement possible.

2026

“Thank you bpsf for offering me support and allowing me to be a student first.”

-Former 2024 Academic Scholarship Recipient

“i JUST APPLIED…”

Your Questions, Answered

    • All applicants will be notified approximately four weeks after the submission deadline, whether or not they have been awarded a scholarship.

    • Scholarship recipients will be notified via e-mail and given the opportunity to attend an upcoming BPSF in-person event where recipients will be recognized.

    • If you are not selected, there is no limit to how many times an individual may apply to the BPSF Academic Scholarship. However, once an individual has received the Scholarship, they are not eligible to be awarded again. Everyone is eligible to apply for all BPSF programs and be awarded based on each program's criteria.

  • On average, BPSF hosts five to ten (5-10) reviewers who will review and score applications each cycle. BPSF provides a scoring rubric for reviewers to use for each application. 

  • The BPSF Academic Scholarship is competitive. Your chances of success are determined by the quality of your application and the number of applications submitted each cycle.

  • Yes, if you are selected for the Academic Scholarship you can still apply for the Emergency Stabilization funds.