Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

LGBTQ Community College Students Benefit From Scholarships

  • 02/22/18

LOS ANGELES – Community colleges are an increasingly useful and affordable steppingstone for students beginning their college career. Point Foundation (Point) encourages lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community college students who are planning to transfer to a four-year degree program to apply for its Community College Scholarship Program.

Students accepted into the program receive a financial award, transfer coaching, and academic planning guidance at the Point Community College Transfer Symposium in Los Angeles, as well as access to the Point Foundation network of LGBTQ scholars and alumni. Profiles of Point's current Community College Scholarship recipients and application information are online at www.pointfoundation.org/communitycollege. Applications for scholarships will be accepted online starting March 1.

"Due to lack of familial and community support, LGBTQ students often come from resource-challenged backgrounds," says Jorge Valencia, executive director and chief executive officer of Point Foundation. "Many are also the first in their families to try and navigate a path to higher education. Moreover, right now the LGBTQ community is under attack from those who want to roll back important rights and protections we have fought hard to attain. So, it is imperative that these students have access to much needed financial support and academic guidance that will allow them to succeed in college and beyond."  

Point launched its Community College Scholarship in 2016 with pioneering support from longtime partner Wells Fargo. Point encourages other donors to support the program by funding a Community College Named Scholarship that recognizes and acknowledges a specific source, whether it be the donor, an individual, or institution they wish to honor. A Community College Named Scholarship represents a commitment of $8,000 over one year. Established Named Scholarships currently target students in Florida, California, and students participating in sports leagues.

Point will announce the 2018 class of Point Foundation Community College Scholarship recipients in June for LGBTQ Pride Month. Concurrently Point will also announce its 2018 class of Point Foundation Scholars (https://pointfoundation.org/point-apply/meet-our-scholars); a program of multi-faced 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 almost 400 recipients since 2002. The Foundation promotes change through scholarship funding, mentorship, leadership development, and community service training.

Featured

  • Illinois State University Breaks Ground on College of Fine Arts Transformation

    Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts transformation project, according to university news. The series of new constructions and renovations will upgrade spaces in Centennial East, the Center for the Visual Arts, and the Center for the Performing Arts, as well as replace the existing Centennial West facility with a new Commons Building.

  • South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation

    The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters.

  • Utah Valley University Opens New Engineering Building

    Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, recently held a grand-opening ceremony for the new Scott M. Smith Engineering Building, according to a news release. The facility is one of the largest engineering buildings in the state at almost 200,000 square feet, and it plays home to the university’s Smith College of Engineering and Technology (SCET).

  • Minnesota Middle School Finishes $23.5M Addition and Modernization

    Highland Park Middle School in St. Paul, Minn., recently announced the completion of a $23.5-million addition and remodel project, according to a news release. Saint Paul Public Schools partnered with ATS&R Planners, Architects & Engineers for its design and Kraus-Anderson for its construction.