LOS ANGELES — Point Foundation (Point) is awarding new scholarships to 36 students who have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership in their communities, despite facing obstacles such as bullying and financial hardship. Point is the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students. These new scholarship recipients join 47 current undergraduate and graduate students for a total of 83 Point Scholars who will receive financial assistance and programmatic support for the 2015 – 2016 academic year.
“Helping students stay in college is only part of our mission. Students also need support and encouragement to complete their degree programs,” said Jorge Valencia, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Point Foundation. “Point provides our scholars with guidance by pairing them with caring mentors, as well as helping our scholars develop their confidence and professional acumen through our leadership training program. We are helping LGBTQ young people build peer and intergenerational relationships that will be there for them even after they finish school and head out into the world.”
Notable facts about the 2015 Class:
- 50 percent represent traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.
- 47 percent were born or raised in the South.
- 36 percent identify as transgender or gender nonconforming.
- 28 percent are the first-generation in their family to go to college.
- 22 percent have chosen STEM fields of study.
Point received almost 2,000 applications for scholarships from November 2014 through January 2015. The rigorous selection process required candidates to demonstrate academic excellence, leadership skills, community involvement, and financial need. Attention was also given to students who have lost the social support of their families and/or communities as a result of revealing their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Point announces its new scholar class annually in June in celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month.
As Point Scholars, students agree to maintain a high level of academic performance and give back to the LGBTQ community through the completion of an individual community service project each year. The scholars also benefit from internship opportunities related to their fields of study. After graduating, Point Scholars become part of the organization’s growing alumni network, connecting them with caring individuals and professional contacts throughout the nation.
Point awarded its first eight scholarships in 2002 and has since invested more than $18 million in the programmatic support of its scholars. Individuals, corporations, and organizations can support Point’s mission with a Named Scholarship of $100,000 to cover the financial assistance and programmatic support Point provides its scholars.
