The Point Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications

Emerson College

The Point Foundation (Point), the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) students, is inviting qualified students to apply for Point’s multiyear college scholarship.

Through partnerships with various philanthropic individuals, corporations, and nonprofit organizations, Point supports promising LGBTQ students in their efforts to achieve full academic and leadership potential as well as promotes change through mentorship, leadership development, and community service training.

“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 and 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.”

Applicants will have until January 19, 2016, to submit Part I of the Point Scholars application, which is now available online.  Part II of the application is submitted only by students notified that they qualify and will be due by February 1, 2016.

Students who will be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs for the 2016-17 school year are eligible to participate. That means seniors in the process of applying to college may compete for the scholarships.

Successful candidates must demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership skills, community involvement, a track record of working for the betterment of the LGBTQ community and financial need.  Special attention is given to applicants who lost financial and social support as a result of revealing their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

The application is open to all college students regardless of citizenship. Undocumented students are eligible and will be reviewed as international students.

Although exact numbers vary from year to year, the Point Scholarship application process is highly competitive. To learn more about the Point Scholars and begin the online application, visit the Point Foundation website.

And check out the Campus Pride website for information on issues affecting LGBTQ students, LGBTQ college fairs, and the Campus Pride Index of LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities. The Princeton Review has also developed guidance for LGBTQ students as well as a list of LGBTQ-friendly campuses, which is available in book form or online.

For the record, Princeton Review lists the following colleges as among the most LGBTQ-friendly:

Bryn Mawr College, PA

College of the Atlantic, ME

Emerson College, MA

Oberlin College, OH

Sarah Lawrence College, NY

Stanford University, CA

University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI

Warren Wilson College, NC

Wellesley College, MA

Yale University, CT