The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation is establishing the OUT and UP Endowed Scholarship Fund – an opportunity for disenfranchised lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Those eligible for the scholarship are young adults, 25 and under, who've faced negative responses from their family of origin because of their sexual orientation or gender identify/expression. These young people are neither supported emotionally nor financially by their families. .

For these young people, education is the key to a better future, however, it often takes a back seat to finding a stable environment in which to thrive. Once in that environment, they are frequently more eager to further their education but lack the financial resources to do so.

• 28% of gay and lesbian students drop out of school, three times the national average. *
• Gay students are twice as likely as the general population to report they had no plans to go to college. **

A scholarship can reduce financial barriers and empower disenfranchised LGBTQ youth to pursue higher education.

Disenfranchised youth of Maricopa County need the chance to improve their lives, but we need your help to make their education a reality. We are embarking on a one-year campaign to raise $200,000 to establish this scholarship fund. Each scholarship funded will cover tuition, books and fees for up to sixty (60) credit hours, up to $5,000 per student.

With your support, the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation can help these young people change their lives and build their futures.