At least two Kevin Roe Legacy Fund scholarships of up to $2,000 each will be awarded to LGBTQ+ students enrolled at San José State University. Scholarships, for use in academic year 2026-27, are made possible by generous donations to the Kevin Roe Legacy Fund.
Eligibility Requirements
The Kevin Roe Legacy Fund leadership seeks to establish and support a cohort of Kevin Roe Legacy Scholars: LGBTQ+ students who embody the values and commitments Kevin lived by, including courage, commitment to inclusion, respect for diversity, advocacy for social equity, pride in being queer, elimination of stigma and homophobia, support for individual autonomy and civil rights, and community organizing. Kevin did all of that throughout his life, with fierce urgency, creativity, and a sense of humor.
All LGBTQ+ students currently enrolled in San José State University, with an anticipated graduation date of December 2026 or later, are eligible to apply. Applications are welcome from undergraduate and graduate students, on campus and online. Although priority consideration may be given to students studying public health or related fields, students from all majors and degree programs are welcome to apply (since everything relates to public health!). The successful applicant will have demonstrated leadership potential and characteristics of Kevin’s life as noted above.
There is no GPA or financial need requirement.
The Kevin Roe Legacy Fund Scholarship
Application Process
Applications will be accepted January 1 – March 10, 2026. The online application requires basic background information and responses to four reflection questions (250 – 500 words each). Applicant responses to each question will be evaluated by the Legacy Fund Scholarship Committee for completion, evidence of original thought and personal reflection, and overall quality. No research or references are needed to successfully answer the four application questions.
Applicants may access the online Scholarship Application to start the application, save it, and return to work on it before submission.
Support Letter
Complete applications must include one letter of support from a person who knows the applicant well (for example, a former teacher, SJSU staff or faculty member, or community leader) and who can comment on the applicant’s qualifications for the Kevin Roe Legacy Scholarship.
Specifically, recommenders should address:
How they know the applicant, relationship/role, how long
Specific examples of the way in which the applicant has demonstrated courage, commitment, leadership, or leadership potential as part of the LGBTQ+ community
Recommender’s name, email, and mailing address are required. The letter must be signed (e-signature is fine) and submitted as a .pdf where indicated on the online application.
Applicant Notification
All applicants will be notified of the scholarship decisions by email on April 1.
Scholarship offers must be accepted via email notification by April 5.
By accepting a Kevin Roe Legacy Scholarship, applicants agree to:
Provide a photo for the Legacy Fund website and permission to use that photo and quotes from their application in public communications about the Fund and the awards. (Quotes can be shared with or without names, according to personal preference.)
Attend a Zoom or in-person meeting with at least one representative of the Legacy Fund Scholarship Committee to develop a personalized plan for receiving the awarded funds and to answer any questions. The meeting will be scheduled for a mutually convenient time in April.
Provide brief mid-year and final written reflections on how the scholarship funds helped the student achieve personal, educational, and/or community impact goals.
Scholarship awardees—the Kevin Roe Legacy Scholars—will also have opportunities to:
Be guests of honor at a Legacy Fund celebration event (date and location TBD)
Get to know members of the Legacy Fund leadership, including prominent LGBTQ+ leaders and fellow students
Network with the other Legacy Scholars and Program Award winners
We look forward to receiving your application!