(Los Angeles, California) The nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBT students began receiving applications Friday for the 2009-10 school year.

Since its inception in 2001, Point has invested over $3 million in the education of outstanding LGBT students.

The organization’s growth over a short period of time is noteworthy. In its first year, Point received 268 applications and granted eight scholarships. In 2008, approximately 1,344 applications were submitted and a record-breaking 27 students were granted scholarships. As of October 2008, there are 90 Point Scholars currently enrolled in school and 42 Point Alumni.

Current Point Scholars attend the nation’s foremost higher educational institutions such as Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Rice, UC-Berkeley and UCLA.

Point said that its selection process is highly competitive and requires demonstrated academic excellence, leadership skills, community involvement and financial need.

Particular attention, it said, is paid to students who have lost the financial and social support of their families and/or communities as a result of revealing their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. 

"A great number of LGBT youth in this country face enormous challenges simply because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity," said Point Executive Director & CEO Jorge Valencia. "In a recession we expect a significant increase in applications this year."

The selection process begins with on-line applications and concludes with face-to-face interviews with selected finalists in April.

Point Scholars agree to maintain a high level of academic performance and to give back to the LGBT community through the completion of an individual community service project each year.

In addition, scholars are matched with mentors from the professional world through Point’s Mentoring Program. Mentors lend their professional expertise and career guidance and become important role models to scholars. 

The deadline for this year’s scholarships is February 9, 2009.