John Bessemer Memorial Scholarship

San Diego County

California

For Bisexual students

For Gay students

Overview

The John Bessemer Memorial Scholarship awards more than $2,000 to San Diego County residents who identify as LGBTQ+. A minimum 3.0 GPA for high school seniors and a minimum 2.8 GPA for undergraduate and graduate students are required. To apply, you need to complete the online form and email your unofficial transcripts with a letter of recommendation to the providers!

Status

Open for applications

Deadline

🗓 March 15, 2025

Paid to

🏫 Your school

Website

pflagsdc.org

What you'll need

Application Form

Complete the required application form to provide your details.

Transcripts

Provide official academic records from your institution.

Recommendation Letter

Provide a letter that highlights your strengths and potential.

Essay

Capture your unique story and ambitions, while addressing the required topic.

Short Responses

Answer brief, open-ended questions to provide more insight into your background and goals.

FAQ

Who should I ask for a letter of recommendation?

Letters of recommendation typically come from teachers, counselors, coaches, leaders in groups you're a part of—basically any person who knows you well and is NOT a family member.

Can I use the same letter of recommendation for multiple scholarship applications?

Yes! You can use the same letter for multiple scholarships. Make sure the letter meets each scholarship's requirements, and isn't too specific to one scholarship. Tip: You might have to ask your recommender to change the wording for different applications.

What's the difference between an official and unofficial transcript?

The main difference between an official transcript and an unofficial transcript is an official transcript can't be viewed by you, and an unofficial transcript can be viewed by you. An official transcript contains an official seal, mark, and / or signature from your school, and is sent directly to the scholarship you're applying to. An unofficial transcript contains the same information, but it will be given to you first, and then you can send or upload it to the scholarship you're applying to.

How do I get my official high school transcript?

Most high schools have a specific person they put in charge of transcript requests. If you Google the name of your high school and "transcript request," you may be able to find the contact information for that person and any instructions (like a form you need to fill out) Example below!

Your next best bet is to email the school office or your counselor. We prepared an email to make it easier for you! Make sure to replace everything in the brackets with the relevant information. If you don't know the name of the person who'll get your email, you can address it "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear High School Officer."

DRAFT EMAIL TO YOUR HIGH SCHOOL Subject Line: [Your Name] – Requesting Transcripts
Dear [name],
My name is [your name], and I'm a current student at [high school name]. I'm working hard applying to financial aid so I can pursue my college dreams. [Name of program] requires an [official, sealed] transcript from my high school. Is that something that you can help me with? Thanks in advance for your time and consideration!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]