It’s Not Too Late to be a Point Foundation Scholar

The first deadline to apply for a 2016-2017 Point Foundation scholarship is coming up on Jan. 19.

The Point Foundation Scholarship is one of the most substantial LGBTQ scholarships offered in the US, averaging $12,000 per scholar. It often helps cover the costs of tuition, books, room and board, transportation and other living expenses. Beyond the financial aid, Point also connects scholars with mentors, and provides scholars with leadership development training and community service training. The average total program expense including scholarships, mentoring and leadership training is $25,000 per scholar per year.

Students must meet the following requirements for eligibility:

Enrolled or intending to enroll at an accredited college or university based in the US, including Hawaii and Alaska, in the fall of 2016.

Students enrolled or intending to enroll in a college or university in a US territory are NOT eligible

Enrolled full-time for the full academic year
Enrolled in a degree-granting undergraduate or graduate/ doctoral program
Community college students must be transferring to a four-year college or university.

Students continuing their studies at community colleges, online programs, trade schools, as well as postdoctoral research students are NOT eligible

Must be at least a senior in high school
Must be “out” as a person who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community

Ideal candidates have demonstrated leadership skills and community involvement, have strong academic achievement, work for the betterment of the LGBT community, and have financial need.

From a pool of 2000 starting applicants, Point helped sponsor 36 scholars for the 2015 school year, among them was Landon “L.J.” Woolston. L.J. spoke with SFGN earlier this year as part of our OUT50 of 2015. He is the Homeless Service Liaison at the Alliance for GLBTQ Youth in Miami-Dade, where he helps oversee the Project SAFE (Safe Accommodations for Everyone) program.

Project Safe provides LGBTQ youth who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, with access to housing, referrals for medical care including HIV testing and substance abuse, assistance with transportation and emergency meal assistance.

When SFGN caught up with L.J. he was finishing his degree in social work at FIU and also pursuing his art and activism through photography.

““Trans* youth are still so far behind their gay, lesbian, bisexual peers in being able to access supportive services and safe spaces. Many really don't have anyone they can turn to who sees and honors them for who they are. I imagine if I'd had someone supporting and affirming me when I was younger, my personal path around my gender identity may have been far less obstructed. It may not have taken me twenty-five years of my life to really figure out who I was ... or to be open to giving myself the space to be authentic,” L.J. told SFGN.

If you think you or someone you know has what it takes to be one of the next Point Scholars, visit www.pointfoundation.org/point-apply/apply-now/.

Semifinalists will be notified by January 25, and should expect a telephone interview between March 14-20. Finalists will be notified by March 22 and should expect to save the date for an in person interview at Point’s Los Angeles office between April 28-30. All winning scholars will be notified by late May or early June.

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