How much funding does Goodarzi Scholarship Grant (B) – Iranian LGBTQ+ Students provide?

Goodarzi Scholarship Grant (B) – Iranian LGBTQ+ Students provides Up to $10,000 per year in funding.

Goodarzi Scholarship Grant (B) – Iranian LGBTQ+ Students

PARS EQUALITY CENTER

Foundation Annual Grants for Education Grants for LGBTQ Nonprofits

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Funding Amount

Up to $10,000 per year

Deadline

July 20, 2026

103 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Goodarzi Scholarship Grant (B) – Iranian LGBTQ+ Students

Funder: Sasan and Shirin Goodarzi

Overview: The Goodarzi Scholarship Grant for LGBTQ+ students who identify as being of Iranian descent or are dedicated to serving the Iranian American community aims to empower underrepresented youth through education.

Award Details

Maximum Award: $10,000 per student per year
Duration: Students who continue their education up to a bachelor's degree or master's degree while also maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher may be eligible to receive financial assistance for the duration of their studies
Ongoing Support: Sasan and Shirin Goodarzi will interview selected candidates and make the final decision on scholarship recipients and ongoing support until graduation
Payment: Scholarship checks are made payable to the University to ensure they are spent on tuition reimbursement

Geographic Scope

California

Eligibility Requirements

Identify as being of Iranian descent, OR demonstrate a strong commitment to serving and uplifting the Iranian American community through volunteer work, leadership, advocacy, or cultural engagement
Member of the LGBTQ+ community, demonstrated in the application and interview
Immigrated to the United States within the last 7 years, with legal proof of immigration
Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited institution in California, including community colleges
Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher
Demonstrate financial need

Funder Background

Sasan and Shirin care deeply about supporting the Iranian community, and with this grant they hope to help its LGBTQ+ students thrive.

Contact Information

Email: info@parsequalitycenter.org
San Jose Center: (408) 261-6405
LA Center: (818) 616-3091

Nondiscrimination

The Pars Grant welcomes all eligible applicants and does not discriminate based on any protected status. Preference may be given to students of Iranian descent or those who have shown a strong commitment to supporting the Iranian American community, in alignment with the organization's mission to uplift underrepresented populations.

How to Apply

Application Process

Application Timeline:

Opening Date: July 1

Deadline: July 20

Awardees Announced: August 15

Submission Method: Online portal (Gmail login required for data security)

Required Documents & Materials

The application package must include the following:

1. Completed application form (linked starting July 1)
- To access: log in with your Google username and password, fill out the intake form, and upload all requested documents
- Sign-in is required to increase data security

2. School transcripts and testing records

3. Letter of Acceptance from an accredited college or university in California

4. Income tax forms from the applicant and applicant's parents for the past two years
- Note: An applicant may bring this document to the interview session

5. Personal Essay (750-900 words, double-spaced) in which you:
- Write about your goals
- Write about the reasons you chose your field of study
- Write about your future plans after graduation
- Maintain personal voice in writing; be creative yet thoughtful
- Write coherently and in a polished style

6. One letter of recommendation from a current or former professor, on formal letterhead, that can speak to:
- Academic achievements
- Career aspirations
- Character and circumstances
- Can be sent with your application; PARS may connect directly with the recommender

7. Agreement to appear in promotional and advertising materials

Application Steps

1. Applicant submits application by July 20
2. Committee reads and reviews all applications
3. Committee recommends ten applicants for final review
4. Sasan and Shirin Goodarzi meet with the runners-up
5. Sasan and Shirin announce the two finalists to receive financial assistance
6. Pars Equality Center announces the recipients' names to the public
7. The scholarship checks are made payable to the University