The Pinnacle Foundation supports LGBTIQ+ students to undertake full-time study and scholarships. They provide educational scholarships, mentoring and opportunities for young LGBTIQ+ Australians to realise their full potential and overcome challenges arising from their identity.

Scholarships are awarded for full-time study at public institutions of higher education in Australia, for the purpose of gaining an educational or vocational qualification in any profession, trade, or arts. There are three scholarship types:

Pinnacle Foundation Scholarships

Pinnacle scholarships awarded to students in their first year as a Pinnacle scholar are valued at $5,000.

Pinnacle scholarships awarded to returning scholars are valued at $4,000.

Named Pinnacle Foundation Scholarships

Named Pinnacle Scholarships awarded to students in their first year as a Pinnacle scholar are valued at $7,000.

Named Pinnacle Scholarships awarded to returning scholars are valued at $5,000.

Applicants for the Named Scholarships demonstrating the following attributes will be preferred:

• Self-awareness, courage and determination
• Problem-solving capacity and initiative
• Social and political awareness
• Involved in extra-curricular activities including, but not limited to, causes related to LGBTIQ+ community, politics, sport, music, a trade and/or the arts; and
• Fulfill specific requirements set by the Named Scholarship donor.

Multi-year Scholarships

Scholarships may be granted on a multi-year basis, subject to the scholar continuing to satisfy the eligibility criteria and selection criteria, and demonstrating an excellent attendance record, acceptable academic performance, a positive mentor review, and having made a positive contribution to the Pinnacle family.

Selection

Eligible applicants will be assessed for a Scholarship by the Selection Committee and State/Territory Committees based on the following selection criteria:

• Have faced, and attempted to overcome, challenges because of your identity and/or sexual orientation and/or sexual characteristics

• Have personal or social circumstances which may hinder the completion of your education. Personal and social circumstances may include whether you are first in the family to attend a tertiary institution, identify as being from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, are from a non-English speaking background, have been in foster care, have been homeless, or were raised or live(d) in a regional, rural or remote area of Australia

• Can demonstrate sufficient motivation to complete a course or the remaining years of a course (as the case may be) of full-time study and demonstrate an understanding of the rigors of academic life

• Are clear about where your studies may take your career; and

• Are proud to be a part of a diverse Australian community, including with respect to gender identity, sexual orientation and sexual characteristics.

Scholarships are open to young LGBTIQ+ Australians who meet the eligibility criteria:

https://thepinnaclefoundation.org/our-scholars/apply-for-a-scholarship/

The Pinnacle Foundation Scholarship Fund is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient by the Australian Taxation Office. Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible.