Looking for Asian American and Pacific Islander Scholarships? Explore a variety of Asian American and Pacific Islander Scholarships designed to support your educational journey and celebrate your cultural heritage. Find financial aid opportunities to help achieve your academic and career goals.
In today’s growing economy, many jobs require postsecondary education. The decision to pursue higher education is often heavily influenced by financial considerations, including the availability of financial assistance. College costs can significantly impact students’ choices of institutions and educational experiences.
Financial aid, such as scholarships and grants, can be crucial in helping students fund their education. However, many Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students face significant challenges in securing financial support. These difficulties often stem from inadequate information about available options and challenges in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Asian American and Pacific Islander Research Coalition (ARC) reports that 70% of surveyed AAPI students stated that financial concerns limited their college choices.
Economic Disparities Affecting AAPI Communities
The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) highlights economic disparities affecting AAPI communities. In 2018, 10.1% of Asian Americans lived in poverty, compared to 8.1% of non-Hispanic white Americans. While the unemployment rate for Asian Americans in 2020 was 3.3%, lower than the national average of 4.1%, AAPI individuals without college degrees tend to earn less on average than their white counterparts.
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The ARC’s survey revealed that most AAPI students did not receive sufficient information about financial aid options. Moreover, 60% of AAPI students found the FAFSA too complex to complete. These barriers can significantly impact students’ ability to access crucial financial support.
Improving financial literacy could play a vital role in narrowing the racial wealth gap. For instance, the Pell Grant program distributes nearly $30 billion annually to approximately 7 million students. However, many students remain unaware of grants or whether they can apply.
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Addressing these challenges through improved outreach, education, and support could help more AAPI students access the financial resources needed to pursue higher education and achieve their career goals.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Scholarships
1. Shui Kuen and Allen Chin Scholarship
Eligibility: U.S. citizens with a 3.0+ GPA enrolled full-time in college. Applicants or their parents must have work experience in Asian restaurants.
Deadline: March annually
Amount: $1,000
2. Asian Pacific Fund Scholarships
Eligibility: Varies by scholarship. Available for undergraduate and graduate students.
Deadline: Varies by scholarship
Amount: Varies
3. Across Culture Scholarship
Eligibility: Students demonstrating openness to cultural learning and sharing. No essay is required.
Deadline: April annually
Amount: $1,350
4. Advancing Social Justice for Asians Scholarship
Eligibility: Graduate students passionate about Asian social justice. Requires a letter detailing passion, past support, and scholarship use plans.
Deadline: April annually
Amount: $500
5. PG&E Asian Employee Resource Group
Eligibility: All majors are eligible, with a preference for engineering, IT, business, environmental, or energy-related fields. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required.
Deadline: Applications open year-end
Amount: $2,000-$3,000
6. Korean American Scholarship Foundation
Eligibility: Korean American students, international students from Korea, or descendants of Korean War veterans. Full-time enrollment, financial need, and academic achievement required.
Deadline: Varies
Amount: $500-$5,000
6. Cecilia Moy Yep Scholarship Fund
Eligibility: Asian American female high school seniors with 3.0+ GPA, community service, and extracurricular activities. Must reside in specified Pennsylvania counties.
Deadline: March annually
Amount: Varies
Grants for AAPI Students
1. The Korean Ancestry Grant
Who Is Eligible?: Students of Asian descent are eligible, with preference given to those of Korean ancestry. Applicants must have at least a 3.5 GPA and be undergraduates.
Application Deadline: Annually every April
Grant Amount: Up to $12,000
2. Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship
Who Is Eligible?: Early-career Asian artists living in Minnesota and New York may apply. Eligible fields include dance, film, literature, music, theater, visual arts, technology-centered arts, and multidisciplinary artistic fields.
Application Deadline: To be announced in Fall 2024
Grant Amount: $50,000 over two consecutive years
3. Sam Chu Lin and Lloyd Lacuesta Broadcast Internship Grants
Who Is Eligible?: Full-time college students or recent graduates majoring in journalism are eligible for this grant.
Application Deadline: Varies
Grant Amount: $500-$1,000
4. William Woo Print and Online News Internship Grant
Who Is Eligible?: Full-time undergraduate students who are current members of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) are eligible. The grant must be used towards living and travel expenses.
Application Deadline: Varies
Grant Amount: $2,000
5. Endowment for South Asian Students of Indian Descent (ESASID)
Who Is Eligible? Medical students of South Asian Indian heritage studying in Philadelphia and New Jersey are eligible for this grant.
Application Deadline: Opens July 1 – September 30
Grant Amount: $5,000
Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships for Asian American and Pacific Islander Students
1. What does it mean to be Asian American or Pacific Islander?
The AAPI community consists of 50 ethnic groups, including Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander ancestries. Over 7% of the U.S. population identifies as AAPI and speaks over 100 languages.
2. What percentage of AAPI individuals have a college degree?
According to the New American Economy, 54.7% of Asian American and Pacific Islanders have college degrees. This percentage is above the national average, where only 1 in 3 people earn degrees. AAPI individuals are also more likely to pursue degrees in STEM majors.
3. What scholarships are available for AAPI students by major?
– Fashion: The LiveLikeLyly Memorial Scholarship offers $1,000 to AAPI fashion students.
– Law: Law students can apply for scholarships through the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area (AABA).
– Archeology: The Historically Underrepresented Groups Scholarship (HUGS) offers $3,000 for tuition, food, housing, books, supplies, equipment, and childcare. It also funds summer programs.
4. What is the AANAPISI scholarship program?
The Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) Scholarship Program provides scholarships to AAPI students who are first-generation college students at or below the poverty level. Applicants must demonstrate strong community ties, leadership skills, and academic achievement. The institution awards $2,500 for one year and up to $5,000 for multi-year scholarships. The scholarship is currently closed but will open soon.
Conclusion on Asian American and Pacific Islander Scholarships
Scholarships for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students are crucial in providing financial support and encouraging higher education within this diverse community. With a wide range of scholarships available based on ancestry, major, and personal interests, AAPI students have numerous opportunities to alleviate the financial burden of their education. These scholarships recognize academic achievement and value leadership, community involvement, and unique cultural backgrounds. By taking advantage of these scholarship opportunities, AAPI students can access the resources they need to pursue their educational and career aspirations, contributing to the broader goal of diversity and inclusion in higher education.
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