Gay students find
more scholarships available

Coming out of the closet may open the door to college for some students as scholarship money for gays and lesbians becomes more available. Donations to scholarships based on sexual orientation have grown in Indiana and nationwide as young people acknowledge their homosexuality at an earlier age than previous generations, The Indianapolis Star reported Sunday. "More students are out in college than ever before, so the need is more visible," said Brett Genny Beemyn, an Ohio State University instructor who heads a national group of campus directors of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender services. Corporations, individuals, foundations, and charities have met the need with donations. In Indiana, at least three scholarship programs are available for gay students. Brett Janecek, a University of Notre Dame sophomore from Billings, Mont., received a full scholarship through the Point Foundation of Chicago. He estimated the scholarship would save him more than $40,000 this school year. "All I've heard from my parents is that being gay is not going to help you in anything," said Janecek, a former high school football player and student body president who came out as gay during his freshman year at Notre Dame. But, he added, "these people absolutely understand and embrace you for your sexuality." The Point Foundation was formed four years ago to fight discrimination against gay, lesbian, and transgender students. The group started with $150,000 and now has a $3 million budget for scholarships and student services. TimeWarner, CitiGroup, Abercrombie & Fitch, and other companies have become donors. Foundation director Vance Lancaster said he expects about 5,000 applications this year. That's more than twice as many as last year. "We're trying to grow really quickly because there's such a demand out there," Lancaster said. "A lot of our donors say, 'I wish there were something like this when I was growing up.' " (AP)