Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students seeking financial assistance for their undergraduate or graduate school education are eligible to apply for a Point Foundation Scholarship. Point Foundation (Point) is the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ students of merit and currently provides financial assistance and programmatic support to 85 students. Students enrolling in undergraduate or graduate programs for the 2016-2017 academic year are eligible to apply for Point’s multiyear scholarship.
Point’s scholarship support addresses multiple challenges students face such as the cost of college tuition and fees, which continue to rise faster than both inflation and average wages. Student loan debt in the U.S. now exceeds $1 trillion, according to Debt.org. LGBTQ students also contend with other potential barriers to achieving their educational goals.
“Many of our scholarship applicants face rejection from peers, communities, and their own families. But they face this rejection head on, often seeing college as their ticket to a better life,” says Jorge Valencia, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer of Point Foundation. “Point helps makes educational opportunities available to these young people who are striving to improve their lives and also make a positive impact on society.”
Point’s rigorous selection process for awarding scholarships requires candidates to demonstrate academic excellence, leadership skills, community involvement, and financial need. Attention is given to applicants who lost financial and social support as a result of revealing their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
Point’s support for scholars extends beyond direct financial contribution toward the cost of their education. Each scholar is paired with a mentor and participates in leadership development training with fellow Point Scholars.
Point Scholars also work with their mentors to give back to the LGBTQ community by completing an individual community service project each year. During October 2015, Point is partnering with Equality Forum to provide scholars with opportunities to create community service projects recognizing LGBT History Month.
After graduation, scholars become part of Point’s growing alumni network, connecting them with caring individuals and professional contacts in a wide range of fields throughout the nation.
Point has invested $18 million in support of 300 LGBTQ scholars since its founding in 2001. Applications open online November 1 at www.pointfoundation.org/apply.