With the ever-increasing cost of college, two LGBT organizations have once again opened up their application process for student scholarships.

Point Foundation and the League Foundation at AT&T have announced the deadlines for their 2007 LGBT academic scholarship programs. The application deadline for this year's Point Foundation scholarships is March 1. The League Foundation scholarships are due April 27.

Students who will be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs in the 2007-08 academic year are eligible for Point scholarships, which are multi-year awards. Point Foundation board chair Bruce Lindstrom founded the Point Foundation in 2001 with his partner, Carl Strickland.

A Point scholarship covers tuition, books, supplies, room and board, transportation, and living expenses. The foundation assists awardees with programs in addition to monetary awards. Its mentoring program, training, and summer conference help scholars develop leadership skills. The mentor program matches scholars with mentors from the professional arena, who provide support and act as role models. If the additional programs are taken into account, the average amount of financial support given to each scholar is more than $30,000.

To remain enrolled in the Point program, awardees agree to maintain good grades and to contribute to the LGBT community through community service projects. According to a Point Foundation news release, "Point scholars are chosen for their demonstrated leadership, scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities, involvement in the LGBT community, and financial need. Particular attention 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 or gender identity."

"We look for students who are intellectually and morally capable of leadership and who are dedicated to playing an influential role in the betterment of society," said Jorge Valencia, who began work as the foundation's new executive director this month. "We also identify students who have exceptional financial needs requiring assistance for personal success. Many of our scholars have experienced significant marginalization and would not otherwise be able to pursue their dreams through higher education."

Prior to joining the Point Foundation, Valencia served as the executive director of the Trevor Project from 2001 until 2006. The Trevor Project is a nationwide nonprofit organization established to promote acceptance of LGBTQQ teenagers and to aid in suicide prevention among that group by operating the nation's first 24/7 free suicide prevention helpline aimed at LGBTQQ youth.

When asked about the extremely competitive nature of the Point scholarship program, Valencia said: "We hope to expand our programs in the coming years."

He added that the foundation has hired Chris Fritzen as its first development director.

"This is a moment of positive transition for Point Foundation," said Valencia. "We are poised for even more growth, which will have a direct effect on our ability to offer more scholarships to more deserving students."

The foundation declined to provide financial information on its budget or Valencia's salary. According to the agency's 2005 Form 990, the foundation had a budget of $2.2 million; the last executive director had a salary of $150,112.

To apply, visit http://www.pointfoundation.org/apply.html.

League Foundation

According to a news release, the League Foundation is "a business resource group recognized by AT&T that was created by retired and active, non-management and management employees of AT&T who support gay, lesbian, and bisexual issues."

Applicants for its scholarships should graduate high school in 2007, identify as LGBT, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0, be actively involved in community service, live in the U.S., and have been accepted to attend a U.S. accredited college or university.

The League Foundation has awarded 57 academic scholarships since 1996. Scholarships currently open to applicants are: the Matthew Shepard Memorial Scholarship and the Laurel Hester Memorial Scholarship. The Laurel Hester award is named after the Ocean County, New Jersey Police lieutenant who successfully battled county officials for the right to leave her pension and other benefits to her surviving domestic partner. The Shepard award is named after the slain Wyoming college student.

Applicants can get further information and scholarship applications at http://www.LEAGUE-att.org/foundation.