New Scholarship Addresses Old Problem

What is believed to be the first, local, needs-based scholarship for LGBT college students, a philanthropist couple, Tim and Neil Griffin, have made an effort to advance and assist the LGBT students in their area. The scholarship, appropriately titled the Griffin Scholarship, is sponsored by Time Out Youth - a support group for youth ages 13 to 23 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered - who have also agreed to administer the program. The Griffins committed to provide two $2,500 scholarships annually by collecting donations at community events they sponsor. Scholarship recipients must be from the Charlotte area and attend a college or technical school in the Carolinas.
“Neil and I believe that education is the key to a successful life,” said Tim Griffin. “So we decided that an LGBT scholarship fund was the most important impact we could make on the lives of young people in our community.”
Many scholarships directed at LGBT students place an emphasis on shown leadership in the community, ethnic diversity, and the almighty report card. The Griffin scholarship is the first of its kind to focus merely on financial need.
“Many LGBT youth are disconnected from their high schools or lack financial support from their parents, making college an unreachable goal,” said Judy Seldin-Cohen, board chair of Time Out Youth. “With the Griffin’s foresight, Time Out Youth can bridge that gap for two deserving youth each year, changing the trajectory of their futures.”
Juan Vazquez, one of two recipients of the newly offered scholarship, is a first generation college student and will be attending N.C. Central University in Durham.
Azze Waldron, the second recipient, 'came out' as gay while her parents were going through a divorce, which drastically had an effect on her grades. She will be attending Central Piedmont Community College.

Read More about the scholarship: http://www.timeoutyouth.org/?page_id=23
... And: http://www.charlotte.com/109/story/671612.html