Many LGBTQ+ students can’t afford college. Thankfully, there’s Point Foundation

Queer, trans, and nonbinary students face disproportionate levels of financial hardship, discrimination, and lack of familial support during their postsecondary education. According to the latest research from Point Foundation and the Williams Institute, LGBTQ+ students are more likely to take out loans, carry greater debt, experience harassment, and report worse mental health outcomes than non-LGBTQ+ students when seeking higher learning.

These disparities are exactly why Point Foundation was founded in 2001 to help college students “access and succeed in higher education through scholarship financing, leadership development, mentorship, and community support,” as its website states.

Starting with a class of eight scholars during its first year, the foundation has grown to support a record-breaking class of 1,000 in the 2025-2026 school year. Since its founding, the organization has awarded approximately $60 million to LGBTQ+ and allied students.

In July, 75 Point Foundation scholars traveled to Los Angeles to attend the 2026 National Leadership Conference, which brought together Point Scholars, alumni, and board members for community building and leadership training.

“This year’s National Leadership Conference theme, Out Front: Step Forward, Stand Proud, was a reminder of the importance of visibility, community, and leadership,” Jorge Valencia, Point Foundation’s CEO since 2007, says. “Point remains committed to the truth that, for the LGBTQ+ and ally community, connection is not a luxury — it’s a lifeline. Seeing our scholars come together, not only to learn but to recognize themselves in one another, is profoundly moving. It is a privilege for all of us at Point to walk alongside these brilliant and courageous leaders.”

This article is part of The Advocate's Sept-Oct 2026 print issue, on newsstands September 1. Support queer media and subscribe — or download the issue through Apple News+, Zinio, Nook, or PressReader starting August 20.