Paula Ford-Martin Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Paula Ford-Martin Memorial Fund
Applications are now open for the fifth annual Paula Ford‑Martin Memorial Scholarship. Please submit your completed application no later than May 1, 2025.
About Paula
Paula Ford‑Martin was a dedicated writer and editor who died on March 25, 2020 after five years with stage‑IV metastatic breast cancer. She was humble about her many accomplishments but most proud of being a mother and an advocate. Paula supported and loved her four children (two of whom are transgender and three of whom are gay) and devoted herself to educating others about kindness, tolerance, and LGBTQ+ issues. Even as cancer spread to her brain, she read widely, worked with advocacy groups for queer and gender‑nonconforming teens, and used her writing and compassion to defend human rights and equality.
Why this scholarship exists
In her final letter, Paula asked for “an LGBTQ+ scholarship to reward those students that have gone above and beyond to bring awareness and equality to their school and community.” Friends and family rallied behind that wish: within weeks the fund had raised nearly $10,000. Paula’s son Cas — a proud trans man and nonprofit professional — established the Paula Ford‑Martin Memorial Fund as a 501(c)(3) so Paula’s work on behalf of LGBTQ+ youth can continue.
Who is eligible
To apply you must meet all of the following:
- Residency and identity
- Study or reside in the United States.
- Be between the ages of 17 and 23.
- Identify as LGBTQIA+ and/or as an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Educational status — you must be in at least one of these categories:
1. In your final year of secondary/high school (public, private, technical/vocational, or home‑schooled).
2. A high school graduate who has not yet begun a post‑secondary academic or professional program.
3. Enrolled in at least 6 credit hours at an accredited university, college, technical/vocational program, or other formal academic/professional pursuit.
Application deadline
All complete application forms must be submitted on or before May 1, 2025.
If this sounds like you — or you know a student who fits these criteria — please consider applying or sharing this opportunity. Paula believed in the power of young people to change their communities; this scholarship exists to carry that belief forward.
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