Point Foundation Scholarship
Before you spend hours on this
Will this scholarship actually lower your cost?
Not always. Many colleges reduce your financial-aid package when you win an outside scholarship — sometimes dollar-for-dollar — so the money can end up saving the school instead of you. It's called scholarship displacement. Two free tools tell you where you actually stand:
General guidance, not financial advice — your school's financial aid office is the only authority on how they treat outside awards. Always confirm with them before deciding.
Best fit for
LGBTQ+ students who've already been doing community advocacy and want a long-term community structure (not just a one-time award). Note: Point also runs a separate BIPOC scholarship and a community college scholarship — apply to the track that fits your situation.
What they actually look for
Point isn't 'a scholarship for LGBTQ+ kids' — it's a LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT program for LGBTQ+ kids that happens to come with money. They pair every scholar with a mentor, fund leadership retreats, and expect ongoing community engagement. If you just want money, this isn't the right program (it's actually a higher time-commitment than its $4,800-$25,000 award would suggest). If you want a community + mentor + funding, it's outstanding.
What you'll need
- Identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community
- Demonstrated involvement in the LGBTQ+ community (advocacy, service, mentoring, club leadership)
- Strong academic record (no minimum GPA, but most winners are top 10-15%)
- Multiple long-form essays on identity, leadership, and goals
- Two recommendations
- Acceptance of a mentor pairing if selected (mandatory program component)
When to start
Application opens early October, closes late January. Start your essays in November — they're long-form and Point wants depth, not polish.
Watch out for
The mentor pairing and community engagement are not optional. If you accept the scholarship, you're expected to participate in Point's programming for the duration. If you'd find that exhausting or inauthentic, apply for awards that are pure money instead.