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Media Advisory, January 7, 2005
For Immediate Release — January 7, 2005
Point Foundation Opens 2005 Application Period and Announces 10 New Scholarships
Foundation Plans Further expansion of its comprehensive gay and lesbian scholarship and mentoring programs.
Chicago (Jan 7, 2005) - The Point Foundation, the first national foundation to support academic achievement in higher education among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth, has opened its 2005 application season by announcing 10 new scholarships.
Point Scholars are chosen for their demonstrated leadership, scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities, involvement in the gay and lesbian community and financial or emotional need. Point Scholars are represented at the nation’s most prestigious universities including Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, UCLA, University of North Carolina and many others.
This year The Point Foundation will offer 3 additional scholarships for undergraduates at American University in Washington DC. The scholarships are funded through the foundation's Carlos Enrique Cisneros Scholarship Fund. Business leader and philanthropist Cisneros, who died in 2004, was a graduate and board member of the university. The 3 new scholarships are in addition to a scholarship granted to an American University student last year.
The Foundation is also offering five new scholarship opportunities to San Diego-area students. Funded by San Diego-area community leaders Norman Blachford and Peter Cooper, these new scholarships are designed for students coming out of San Diego high schools or attending San Diego-based colleges and universities. The Point Foundation is also partnering with MTV network's college-based channel, mtvU, to offer two new Point Foundation scholarships for students attending colleges or universities that broadcast the mtvU network.
In addition, The Point Foundation plans to offer an increased number of total scholarships this year to better meet the need in the community. As described by Point Foundation Executive Director Vance Lancaster, the need for a scholarship program that supports gay and lesbian youth is significant.
"Last year more than 1000 deserving students opened applications with us. We are thrilled to move a little closer to meeting the demand for support in the transition from high school to college and from college to career or graduate studies. So many young people get lost in these transitions. This is even more true for gay youth that have lost the support of their families and friends."
For additional information on the new scholarships, visit: www.thepointfoundation.org.
A Point Scholarship is the most substantive academic award of its kind, covering the cost of tuition, books, supplies, room and board, transportation and living expenses and allowing students to excel in the classroom, on campus, and in their communities. In addition, Point Scholars are matched with mentors from the professional world who serve as positive role models and provide personal support, ensuring that students build a foundation of leadership skills they can use throughout their lives. In the past three years, The Point Foundation has invested more than $1 million in scholarships and programming to "Point Scholars." In 2004 alone, the Point Foundation invested more than $500,000 in scholarships and programs to 25 students of distinction. In 2005, the Foundation hopes to increase its scholarship offerings by at least 20%.
The application deadline for this year's scholarships is March 1, 2005. The application process is open to students nationwide for both undergraduate and graduate studies.
For information on how to apply, please visit:
http://www.thepointfoundation.org/apply.html.
More information about the Point Foundation can be found at
http://www.thepointfoundation.org.
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