LGBTQ students benefit from Point Foundation scholarship

Los Angeles -- Nearly half of the nation's undergraduate students are enrolled at community colleges, which are an increasingly important springboard for advancing to a bachelor's degree. To help lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) students transfer to a four-year degree program, Point Foundation (Point) welcomes applications for its Community College Scholarship.

Students selected for the program will receive up to a $3,700 financial award, opportunities to network with the Point community and the opportunity to attend the Point Community College Transfer Symposium in Los Angeles. Applications are accepted online beginning March 1.

"Affordability is only one of the roadblocks to a college degree," said Jorge Valencia, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Point Foundation. "LGBTQ students, particularly those from low-income families, immigrants and people of color, often feel alone as they try to navigate a path to higher education. Point's goal is to provide LGBTQ students practical guidance and the emotional support that comes from knowing people want them to succeed and are here to help."

Point launched its Community College Scholarship in 2016 with pioneering support from longtime partner Wells Fargo. By continuing to invest in education via Point Foundation scholarships and programs, Wells Fargo is helping to empower and enrich disenfranchised individuals and communities. Profiles of Point's 2016 Community College Scholarship recipients and current application information are online at www.pointfoundation.org/communitycollege.

The 2017 class of Point Foundation Community College Scholarship recipients will be announced in June for LGBTQ Pride Month. Point will also announce in June its 2017 class of Point Foundation Scholars; a program of multifaceted support for LGBTQ students completing four-year and/or advanced degree programs.

Point Foundation empowers promising LGBTQ students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential – despite the obstacles often put before them – to make a significant impact on society.Point Foundation is the nation's largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ students of merit and has awarded scholarships to over 300 recipients since 2002. The Foundation promotes change through scholarship funding, mentorship, leadership development and community service training.

Online resources: www.pointfoundation.org | Facebook/pointfoundation | Twitter/pointfoundation | Instagram/pointfoundation | Pointfoundation.tumblr.com | #pointfoundation

The Gayly – February 14, 2017 @ 10:30  a.m.