Academic Advising for Sexual Minority Students | Print |  E-mail
Last Updated: Friday, 06 January 2012
External 
link

The Alberta Teachers Association External 
link is committed to meeting the educational needs of students of all sexual orientations and gender identifications. ADLC counsellors, as members of Alberta Teachers' Association, assist gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans-identified, intersex, two-spirited, queer, and questioning youth develop educational plans that meet their life goals. Gary Simpson's office and Andea Robin's office are safe spaces External 
link,and Gary Simpson and Andrea Robin are available to discuss the career and educational needs of students of any sexual orientation, gender identification or gender expression.

Academic Planning:

Our counsellors can help students decide when distance learning and online courses are a good option.  Our academic counsellors can also help students determine the courses necessary to graduate. Graduation Requirements and a planning chart are available on the Alberta Distance Learning Centre website. An academic counsellor can be phoned toll-free from inside Canada by dialing 1-866-774-5333.

Students considering taking online or distance learning courses may wish to determine if online and distance learning courses will meet their needs.

Students planning to attend a college or university must contact the college or university they are considering to determine the high school courses that must be completed.  Links to many of the major colleges and universities in Canada are on our Canadian Colleges and Universities page.

Students who have been out of school three or more years are strongly encouraged to write Mathematics and English Placement Exercises before registering in Math or English courses or before registering in courses requiring strong Math or English skills.  We recommend that students who are needing to upgrade their courses and completed any of the following courses complete a Placement Exercise:

  • Math 16, Math 26
  • Math 10, Math 20, Math 30
  • Math 13, Math 23, Math 33
  • Math 10 Pure, Math 20 Pure after June 30, 2012
  • Math 10 Applied, Math 20 Applied after June 30, 2012
  • English 16, English 26, English 36
  • English 13, English 23, English 33
  • English 10, English 20, English 30

Free Placement Exercises are on our website, from which they can be printed then completed and faxed to 780-674-4712 or mailed to ADLC for evaluation.

Alberta students wanting to learn what they need to take to graduate may obtain a transcript or a statement of courses and marks. Obtaining either a transcript or a statement of courses and marks is easier when the student knows his or her Alberta Student Number (Alberta Education ID number).  The Alberta Student Number is given on Statements of Marks mailed to students at school year-end. However, to find your number, you may click on the Alberta Education External 
link website and a new window will open. Then, follow the directions there. In the middle, click on the words Enter Learner Registry. Once in the Learner Registry, click on Lookup ASN(toward the middle of the page that has text). Then, give your name andcertify you are the person who is looking up the Alberta Student Numberor that you have been authorized to obtain that information. Then, youwill be taken to a page that asks for student's name, date of birth,and gender. When you provide that information, the system will search for the Alberta Student Number. Should the system find the Alberta Student Number, it will appear in dark blue above the box where the student's name was typed.

When students have their Alberta Student Numbers, they can go to the Request Documents External 
link page of Alberta Education's website. The Request Documents page outlines the cost of an official transcript and has order forms thatcan be printed from the website, completed, and faxed or mailed to theTranscripts Unit of Alberta Education. A statement of courses and markscan be requested, also. Although a statement of courses and marks isnot an official transcript and is not acceptable to apply to colleges and universities, it shows all the courses and credits completed. The statement of courses and marks is free and can be used to plan how to complete your High School Diploma. To print a request form for astatement of courses and marks, click here External 
link.

Resources:

  • Alberta Teachers' Association External 
link Gay Straight Alliance resources.  Resources on the website include posters, a teacher's guide and information about creating Gay Straight Alliances. 
  • Bully Free Alberta External 
link. Students who experience bullying are encouraged to visit the Alberta Government website Bully Free Alberta. The Province of Alberta operates a toll-free line for support and advice for dealing with bullying. The helpline is available 24 hours a day seven days a week and is staffed by trained counsellors. The toll-free number for Alberta residents is 1-888-456-2323.
  • Camp fYrefly.  The University of Alberta operates Camp fYrefly.  At the camp, students learn leadership and resiliency skills.
  • Campaign for Positive Space - University of Calgary External 
link.  Campaign promotes welcoming places for all people working or studying at the University of Calgary.  The Campaign attempts to educate and address discrimination related to sexual and gender diversity.
  • Choosing a Gay Friendly College External 
link.  Suite101.com article provides tips on how to determine if a college or university provides a welcoming environment for sexual minority students. 
  • Gay Straight Alliance Network External 
link.  The Gay Straight Alliance is an United States organization that aims to create safe school environments for sexual minority students. 
  • Homophobic Bullying Resources External 
link.  Alberta Government information and resources about homophobic bullying.  Fact sheets, free to Alberta residents, about homophobic bullying can be obtained from the Alberta Government External 
link
  • Institute of Sexual Minority Studies and Services External 
link.  This University of Alberta institute promotes scholarly studies, policy development, education, community outreach, and services related to sexual minorities.
  • Institute for Women’s and Gender Studies External 
link.  The institute, which is located on the University of Manitoba, promotes feminist research and culture, activism, and helps reduce social injustice on the basis of gender, race, sexual orientation and identity, class, age, ability, and religion.
  • Kids Help Phone External 
link.  Help line for youth living in Canada.  Trained counsellors are available online or by phone 24/7.  The toll free number is 1-800-668-6868.
  • MacEwan Diversity Project External 
link.  Grant MacEwan University's Diversity Project helps educate staff and students, and helps sexual minority students access resources.
  • Out on Campus - Simon Fraser University External 
link.  Out on Campus is Simon Fraser University's center for members of sexual minorities and their allies.  
  • OUTReach External 
link.  University of Alberta gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans-identified and queer student group. 
  • PFLAG External 
link Canada (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Site has resources for family and friends of individuals who are members of a sexual minority.
  • Positive Space - Mount Royal University External 
link.  Group of Mount Royal staff and students who promote understanding and respect for sexual orientation and gender diversity.
  • Positive Space - Ryerson University External 
link.  Group of Ryerson University students, staff and faculty who work to make Ryerson a welcoming and inclusive environment.
  • Positive Space Campaign - University of British Columbia External 
link.  Campaign designed to make the University of British Columbia to make the university more open and receptive to sexual minority students.
  • Positive Space Campaign - University of Toronto External 
link.  Campaign to help identify safer and more inclusive spaces for sexual minority students, faculty and staff. 
  • Pride UBC External 
link.  Pride UBC offers educational and social services related to sexual orientation and gender identity to students, staff and faculty of the University of British Columbia. 
  • Public Health Agency of Canada External 
link.  The Public Health Agency is a branch of the Government of Canada.  Information about sexual orientation in schools External 
link, and gender identity in schools External 
link
  • Safe Spaces Initiative External 
link.  Safe Spaces is an Alberta Teachers' Association and Safe and Caring Schools project.  Safe Spaces information, brochures, posters and stickers are on the Alberta Teachers' Association External 
link website.
  • Stop a Bully External 
link. The Stop a Bully website provides information, resources and videos related to bullying.
  • USSU Pride Centre External 
link.  University of Saskatchewan Students' Union Pride Centre provides peer support, discussion groups and resources for GLBT students.
  • UVic Pride External 
link.  Group represents and advocates for queer students at the University of Victoria.
  • Youth Understanding Youth External 
link.  Edmonton organization providing social support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, trans-identified and questioning youth, and their allies. 

Scholarships:

  • General Scholarships. Sexual minority students who meet the eligibility requirements may be eligible for many scholarships. Information about general scholarships for post-secondary studies can be found on the Financial Aid and Scholarships page of our website. Some sexual minority students might also be eligible for scholarships established to assist gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-identified students.
  • Bill 7 Award External 
link. Ontario award for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer and two-spirited students in financial need in any post-secondary institution in Ontario.
  • Dadson Scholarship External 
link. University of Toronto award for students in the undergraduate sexual diversity studies program.  Candidates need to be Canadian citizens who are residing in Ontario. Selection is based on financial need and leadership potential in the queer community.
  • DalOUT External 
link. A $1,500 Dalhousie University External 
link scholarship for students who made a signficant contribution to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and queer community and to promoting awareness and acceptance of sexual diversity.
  • Donald L. Boisvert Scholarship for Gay and Lesbian Studies. The scholarship is for Concordia University External 
link students taking a gay and lesbian studies program and who are involved in activism.
  • Emperor/Sergio Apolloni Memorial Scholarship External 
link. University of Toronto scholarship for students registered in the sexual diversity studies.
  • Jer's Vision External 
link.  Founded by Jeremy Dias, Jer's Vision offers awards and scholarships.  The Jeremy Dias Scholarship is for high school students planning on attending accredited post-secondary institutions or for students attending post-secondary institutions.  The scholarship is for students who have worked to reduce discrimination, homophobia, or heterosexism in their school or community.   
  • John M. Kerr Memorial Scholarship Award External 
link. Yearly scholarships are awarded to gay or lesbian students enrolled in accredited post-secondary programs in Alberta. The number of scholarships awarded and the amount of the scholarships vary yearly. Generally, the amount of the scholarships is between $500 and $750.
  • Lambda Foundation Scholarship External 
link. Lambda scholarships are available for eligible students at participating Canadian universities. The scholarships are for graduate students who are conducting research projects related to gays and lesbians.
  • League Foundation External 
link.  The League offers scholarships for United States citizens attending post-secondary institutions in Canada or the United States.  The League awards League Foundation Scholarships, a Laurel Hester Memorial Scholarship and a Matthew Shepard Memorial Scholarship. 
  • LGBTOUT Student Award External 
link. University of Toronto award for sexual minority students who are residents of Ontario and who can demonstrate volunteer contributions to a school or a sexual minority community.
  • Mark S. Bonham Scholarship for Queer Studies in Film and Video External 
link. A $5,000 scholarship is available for gay, lesbian, bisexual, or trans-identified students, who are pursuing full-time, post-secondary film studies programs related to GLBT culture, or that help educate society about GLBT people and issues.
  • Michael Phair Leadership Award External 
link. The Michael Phair Award is the first University of Alberta award that is specifically for gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans-identified, or queer students. Applicants need to demonstrate leadership qualities. Preference may be given to students who demonstrate leadership within queer communities.
  • Rainbow Triangle Alumni Association Award External 
link. University of Toronto award for student taking one of the specified courses in the sexual diversity studies program.
  • Roberts Fund External 
link. This University of Toronto award is available for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-identified students. Financial need and volunteer contributions that helped increase the acceptance of sexual diversity are taken into consideration.
  • ScholarshipsCanada.Com External 
link. Scholarships can be searched by key words. In the top right side of the web page, click on scholarship name. Typing the word gay in the key word search box will provide a list of scholarships with the word gay in the scholarship title.
  • Sexual Diversity Studies Scholarship External 
link. This University of Toronto award for students in the undergraduate sexual diversity studies program. Awards are given on the basis of financial need and academic merit.

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-identified students wishing to complete post-secondary studies in the United States may wish to review some of the scholarships found on the following web sites:

  • Human Rights Campaign External 
link (HRC).  The HRC website has links to numerous scholarships.  State-specific and national scholarships are listed.  Scholarships can be searched by state.
  • International Scholarships and Financial Aid Positions External 
link. The GLBT student page provides links to organizations offering scholarships for GLBT students.
  • Point Foundation External 
link.  The Point Foundation, an American foundation, awarded more than $3 million in awards to outstanding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. Point scholarships can be used to help cover tuition, books, supplies, room and board, transportation and living expenses. Point scholars also receive mentoring and leadership training.
  •  Safe Schools Coalition External 
link. The Scholarships and Grants page describes numerous scholarships for sexual minority students.   

University Studies:

An increasing number of colleges and universities are offering courses, certificates, minors and degrees in areas that could be of interest to members of sexual minority groups.  A few post-secondary programs related to sexual orientation and gender studies appear below.

  • American University External 
link.  United States private university.  American University offers an undergraduate minor and major in GLBT studies.
  • Arizona State University External 
link.  United States university.  Arizona State University offers an undergraduate certificate in LGBT studies.
  • City College San Francisco External 
link.  United States public college.  City College offers numerous courses related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified studies.
  • City University of New York External 
link.  United States public university.  City University's Graduate Center offers a concentration in lesbian, gay and queer studies. 
  • Concordia University External 
link.  Concordia's school of cinema offers an interdisciplinary minor in sexuality studies.
  • Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals External 
link. The Consortium provides a list of many college and university programs related to sexual minority studies. 
  • George Washington University External 
link.  United States private university.  George Washington University's women's studies department offers a minor in LGBT and sexuality studies.
  • Goddard College External 
link.  United States private college.  Goddard offers an M.A. in psychology and counseling, with a concentration in sexual orientation.
  • McGill University External 
link.  McGill offers a minor in sexual diversity studies.
  • Pacific School of Religion External 
link.  United States private seminary.  Pacific School of Religion offers a graduate certificate in sexuality and religion.
  • San Francisco State University External 
link.  United States public university.  Offers an M.A. in sexuality studies.
  • University of Alberta External 
link.  Students interested in graduate research about the needs of sexual minorities that relate to education, culture and society may contact the Department of Educational Policy Studies.
  • University of Arizona External 
link.  The Institute of LGBT studies promotes the study of issues of importance to sexual minorities.  The Institute's website lists University of Arizona courses with sexuality content offered during each academic term.   
  • University College - Toronto External 
link.  University College is a part of the University of Toronto.  University College offers undergraduate, M.A. and Ph.D. level degree programs related to Sexual Diversity Studies.
  • University of California - Berkeley External 
link.  Berkeley's women's studies department offers an undergraduate minor in LGBT studies.
  • University of California - Los Angeles External 
link.  United States public university.  UCLA offers a minor in LGBT studies.
  • University of Colorado - Boulder External 
link.  United States public university.  The University of Colorado offers a certificate in LGBT studies.  
  • University of Maryland External 
link.  United States public university.  The University of Maryland offers an undergraduate minor in LGBT studies.
  • University of Windsor External 
link.  An undergraduate minor in sexuality is offered by the University of Windsor.  Students in the social justice stream of a Ph.D. in sociology might be able to research GLBT topics.
  • University of Winnipeg External 
link.  The University of Winnipeg offers a B.A. degree in Women's and Gender Studies.  The department of Women's and Gender Studies provides courses related to transgender, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
  • Wesleyan University External 
link.  United States private university.  Wesleyan offers a concentration in queer studies within the undergraduate degree program in American studies. 
  • York University External 
link.  York offers an undergraduate certificate and an undergraduate degree in sexuality.

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