College scholarships for Asian Americans are an excellent source of financial aid, helping to bridge the gap between the rising costs of higher education and your academic and career goals. Whether you're aiming to attend a community college, a four-year university, or pursue graduate studies, these scholarships can make your journey more affordable. Since you typically don't have to repay the funds, they significantly reduce the financial burden associated with college expenses.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in Fall 2020, there were approximately 16.7 million undergraduate students enrolled in degree-granting postsecondary institutions in the United States. Of these, about 1.1 million students identified as Asian. Recognizing the need for greater representation and diversification, many colleges and organizations offer scholarships specifically for Asian American students. Some of these are open to all minority students, while others provide financial assistance exclusively to individuals of Asian descent.
$3,345
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for minority students who are attending Minot State University in Minot, North Dakota. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.25 or higher.
Read More
View Scholarship
$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for minority students who are members of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Applicants must demonstrate a passion for the profession and potential for leadership.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for members of the Public Relations Student Society of America who are entering their junior or senior year of college. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 and contribute to ethnic diversity in the field.
Read More
View Scholarship
$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for minority students who are majoring in communication science and/or communication disorders. Applicants must be accepted to, or in good standing at an accredited graduate program in the U.S.
Read More
View Scholarship
$18,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Dec 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for current high school seniors and undergraduate students who are applying to admission at Clemson University in South Carolina. To be considered for a Diversity Scholarship, applicants must add to the ethnic, cultural, geographic, or intellectual diversity of the campus.
Read More
View Scholarship
$21,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 30
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. students who plan to enroll at Missouri State University as incoming freshmen. Students must: rank in the top 50 percent of their class or have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher; and have demonstrated leadership in multicultural school or community activities or organizations. Students with disabilities and/or historically underrepresented populations are encouraged to apply.
Read More
View Scholarship
$10,000
Award Amount
25
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
To be considered for this scholarship, the student must have a demonstrated commitment to the promotion of diversity and inclusion. They must also meet one or more of the following criteria:
Be from a historically underrepresented group;
Be from a low socio-economic background; or
Be a first-generation college student (i.e., neither of your parent(s)/guardian(s) has a bachelor's degree.
The student's academic performance and their record of school and community service will also be considered.
Students will be selected by a committee established by the Office of Multicultural Services.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 17
Deadline
The mission of the Asian Pacific Fund is to strengthen the Asian and Pacific Islander community in the Bay Area by increasing philanthropy and supporting the organizations that serve their most vulnerable community members. Ten scholarships are given to help undergraduate and graduate students achieve their education goals.
Read More
View Scholarship
$75,000
Award Amount
12
Awards
Mar 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for minority students who are enrolled in a Ph.D. program at one of the following universities: Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Medical College of Georgia, and the University of Georgia. Applicants must demonstrate high academic achievement, intent to pursue a career in academia, and must be residents of Georgia.
Read More
View Scholarship
$75,000
Award Amount
12
Awards
Mar 31
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. minority students who are currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program and planning to pursue a career as a professor. Applicants must be residents of South Carolina and must attend one of the following institutions: Clemson University, Medical University of South Carolina, or University of South Carolina at Columbia.
Read More
View Scholarship
$20,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for minority students who are residents of Tennessee. Applicants must be working on a doctoral dissertation at one of the following institutions: Meharry Medical College, Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University, Vanderbilt University, University of Memphis, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Read More
View Scholarship
$75,000
Award Amount
12
Awards
Mar 31
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. minority students who are currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program and planning to pursue a career as a professor. Applicants must be residents of Virginia and must enroll at one of the following eligible institutions: College of William and Mary, George Mason University, Old Dominion University, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,250
Award Amount
8
Awards
Mar 24
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate and graduate ethnic minority students who are pursuing an undergraduate accounting, finance, or related business degree or master's-level business degree at a Georgia college/university or are Georgia residents. Applicants must be student members of NABA and have a grade point average of 3.2 or higher.
Read More
View Scholarship
$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring in hospitality management at select AH&LEF-affiliated schools and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Preference is given to students of Asian-Indian descent and other minority groups, as well as JHM Hotel employees.
Read More
View Scholarship
$3,000
Award Amount
30
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. high school seniors who are of Asian descent (as defined by the California Department of Education) and reside in Santa Clara County, California, or are the children or grandchildren of a Chi Am Circle Club member. Students must have a grade point average of 3.3 or higher.
Read More
View Scholarship
$6,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 12
Deadline
The Eugene and Thora Chin Scholarship Fund is available for students of Asian or Pacific Islander heritage. Applicants must reside in Sacramento, California and must demonstrate a record of excellent academic achievement.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 8
Deadline
The OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates Youth Leadership Award is available for Asian American and Pacific Islander high school seniors who reside in Missouri and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Read More
View Scholarship
$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Oct 1
Deadline
Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C., a personal-injury law firm based out of Michigan, is pleased to announce the annual Buckfire & Buckfire Medical School Diversity Scholarship. This scholarship has been funded as part of Buckfire & Buckfire’s commitment to and mission of helping to promote diversity of backgrounds and experience within the legal profession.
Application is open to racial and ethnic minorities of all backgrounds who are currently enrolled in an accredited medical school within the United States. Award selection will be based on a combination of essay responses and academic achievement as demonstrated in the applicant's transcripts.
The Buckfire & Buckfire Medical School Diversity Scholarship is provided annually to medical school students who represent ethnically and racially diverse populations.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Aug 1
Deadline
Boston divorce attorney Gabriel Cheong with Infinity Law Group LLC is offering an annual scholarship for high school seniors of Asian heritage in Boston. The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded every fall semester and is intended to encourage more Asian Americans to choose a degree that will help them give back to the Asian community.
The Asian Heritage Scholarship is open to high school seniors in Boston who will be attending an accredited 4 year college/university in the fall of 2019 and meet all needed requirements. Candidates are asked to write a short essay describing their background and experiences in the Asian American community as well as how they plan to use their degree to help give back to their community.
Read More
View Scholarship
$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for minorities students who are currently enrolled as high school seniors in Hillsborough County, Florida. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and must qualify for free or reduced school lunches.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
The Rose C. Diaz Memorial Scholarship is available for high school seniors in Hillsborough county who are of Hispanic descent. Applicants must qualify for free or reduced school lunches and must attend one of the following technical colleges in Hillsborough County: Aparicio-Levy, Brewster, Erwin, or Leary.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 31
Deadline
The #LiveLikeLyly Memorial Scholarship is available to high school senior or a college student of asian american descent pursuing a career in fashion and or graphic design. Click to learn more and apply today!
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
Central California Pacific Women prepares and empowers Asian and Pacific Island women from the Central Valley to advocate for gender and social justice by supporting and providing leadership and mentoring opportunities in the Central Valley and beyond.
Read More
View Scholarship
$880,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
The Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program provides full scholarships for a four year course of study toward a bachelor’s degree for up to eleven exceptionally able students annually from several Asian countries
Read More
View Scholarship
$20,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 26
Deadline
This scholarship is available for first generation Asian Americans in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara or Solano county of California. Applicants must be high school seniors at the time of application and must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Read More
View Scholarship
Eligibility Criteria for Asian American Scholarships
Eligibility for Asian American scholarships often hinges on several factors, including ethnicity, academic achievement, financial need, and community involvement. While many scholarship providers require applicants to be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, some may have different stipulations. You may qualify if you identify with any of these Asian ethnic minority groups:
- Other Southeast Asian and South Asian identities
Additional Requirements:
- Financial Need: Filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is often necessary to demonstrate unmet financial need and qualify in general for many grants and scholarships. .
- Academic Performance: A minimum GPA, typically around 3.0 or higher, may be required, particularly for merit-based scholarships.
- Application Materials: You may need to submit letters of recommendation, essays, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), and a list of extracurricular activities showcasing leadership and community service.
Highlighted Scholarships for Asian American Students
William Orr Dingwall Foundation Korean Ancestry Grant
- Award Amount: Up to $10,000
- Eligibility: Students of Korean descent pursuing a four-year degree.
- Details: Open to undergraduates demonstrating academic excellence and financial need.
- Application Deadline: Varies
- Website: dingwallfoundation.org
Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund
- Award Amount: Up to $5,000
- Eligibility: High school seniors and first-year college students of Taiwanese descent with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Details: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and demonstrate financial need.
- Application Deadline: Varies (Check the fund’s website for current deadlines)
- Website: tascholarshipfund.org
10 Scholarships for Asian Students You Should Apply For
Start your scholarship journey with these top 10 opportunities for Asian students. Be sure to check each scholarship’s deadline and submit your application on time.
- CAMS Scholarship
- Award Amount: Varies
- Eligibility: Undergraduate students of Chinese descent enrolled at an accredited U.S. college.
- Application Deadline: Typically in March (Confirm on the website)
- Website: camsociety.org
- Banatao Filipino American Education Fund Scholarships
- Award Amount: $5,000 annually, renewable for four years
- Eligibility: Incoming freshmen of Filipino heritage pursuing STEM fields.
- Application Deadline: Typically in February (Confirm on the website)
- Website: asianpacificfund.org
- InspirASIAN Scholarship
- Award Amount: $2,000 national scholarship; $1,000 state scholarships
- Eligibility: High school seniors of Asian heritage with a minimum GPA of 3.4.
- Application Deadline: Typically in January (Confirm on the website)
- Website: inspirasian.us
- Asian American Architects and Engineers Foundation Scholarship
- Award Amount: $5,000
- Eligibility: Students pursuing careers in architecture, engineering, or construction.
- Application Deadline: Typically in May (Confirm on the website)
- Website: aaae.ngo
- Matt Fong Asian Americans in Public Finance Scholarship
- Award Amount: $5,000
- Eligibility: Asian heritage, California residents enrolled full-time in college, pursuing a career in public finance.
- Application Deadline: Typically in April (Confirm on the website)
- Website: asianpacificfund.org
- Eugene and Thora Chin Scholarship Fund
- Award Amount: Varies
- Eligibility: Students of Chinese descent demonstrating financial need and academic excellence.
- Application Deadline: Varies (Confirm on the website)
- Website: seattlefoundation.org
- NAPABA Law Foundation Scholarship
- Award Amount: Varies
- Eligibility: Law students committed to serving the Asian Pacific American community.
- Application Deadline: Typically in September (Confirm on the website)
- Website: napabalawfoundation.org
- Pinay Aspire Scholarship
- Award Amount: $1,000
- Eligibility: Filipina high school seniors or college students with a commitment to community service.
- Application Deadline: Typically in May (Confirm on the website)
- Website: pinayaspire.org
- Dr. George Goro and Nettie Muramoto Memorial Scholarship
- Award Amount: Varies
- Eligibility: Students of Japanese descent pursuing higher education.
- Application Deadline: Varies (Confirm with local Japanese American organizations)
- Website: Contact local JACL chapters for information.
- JACL National Scholarship Program
- Award Amount: Varies
- Application Deadline: Typically in April (Confirm on the website)
Organizations Helping Asian Americans Pay for College
Several organizations are dedicated to supporting Asian American students through scholarships and other resources. Here are some key organizations to consider:
1. APIA Scholars (Formerly APIASF)
- Focus: Supports underserved Asian Pacific Islander American students and first-generation college students.
- Award Amounts: Scholarships range from $2,500 to $20,000.
- Application Deadlines: Typically January for the APIA Scholarship and September for the AANAPISI Scholarship.
2. Asian Pacific Fund
- Programs: Manages over 10 scholarship programs for students with various Asian ethnic backgrounds.
- Notable Scholarship: Hsiao Memorial Social Sciences Scholarship for graduate students.
- Application Deadline: Varies by scholarship; generally February to May.
3. Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF)
- Award Amounts: $500 to $5,000
- Eligibility: Full-time students of Korean heritage enrolled at accredited U.S. institutions.
- Regional Chapters: Offers scholarships through five regional chapters.
- Application Deadline: Typically in June (Confirm on the website)
Asian American Scholarships Available by Major
Scholarships for Asian Americans span a wide array of academic disciplines, catering to students with diverse interests and career goals.
STEM Scholarships
- Asian American Architects and Engineers Foundation Scholarship
-
- Eligibility: Students pursuing architecture, engineering, or construction management.
-
- Details: Recognizes academic excellence and community involvement.
- Banatao Filipino American Education Fund Scholarship
-
- Award Amount: $5,000 annually, renewable
-
- Eligibility: Filipino heritage students pursuing STEM degrees.
-
- Details: Focuses on supporting students in engineering, physical, or environmental sciences.
Business and Finance Scholarships
- Matt Fong Asian Americans in Public Finance Scholarship
-
- Eligibility: Students pursuing careers in public finance, economics, or related fields.
- AICPA Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students
-
- Award Amount: Up to $5,000
-
- Eligibility: Minority students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in accounting.
-
- Application Deadline: Typically in March (Confirm on the website)
Arts Scholarships
-
- Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship
-
- Eligibility: Asian American students majoring in performing, visual arts, journalism, or mass communications.
-
- Application Deadline: Typically in May (Confirm on the website)
Are There Scholarships for First-Generation Asian Students?
Yes, there are scholarships specifically designed for Asian students who are the first in their family to attend college. These scholarships often aim to support students who may have immigrant parents and face unique challenges in navigating higher education.
Frederick and Demi Seguritan Scholarship
- Award Amount: $5,000 annually, renewable
- Eligibility: First-generation Asian American students with a minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrating financial need and community service.
- Residency Requirement: Must reside in certain California counties.
- Application Deadline: Typically in February (Confirm on the website)
APIA Scholars – AANAPISI Scholarship Program
- Award Amount: $2,500 to $5,000
- Eligibility: First-generation college students attending an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI).
- Application Deadline: Typically in September (Confirm on the website)
Tips for Applying to Asian American Scholarships
-
- Start Early: Give yourself ample time to gather necessary documents, write essays, and request letters of recommendation.
- Tailor Your Applications: Customize each application to reflect the specific scholarship’s criteria and mission.
- Highlight Your Heritage: Emphasize your cultural background and how it has shaped your goals and aspirations.
- Demonstrate Community Involvement: Showcase your participation in community service, leadership roles, and extracurricular activities.
- Proofread Thoroughly: Ensure your application is free of grammatical errors and typos.
Additional Financial Aid Opportunities
Don’t limit your search to scholarships exclusively for Asian American students. Explore other avenues to maximize your financial aid package.
- Federal Grants: Completing the FAFSA can qualify you for federal grants like the Pell Grant.
- State Grants and Scholarships: Many states offer financial aid programs for residents.
- Institutional Aid: Colleges and universities often provide scholarships and grants based on merit and need.
- Private Scholarships: Utilize scholarship search engines like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and College Board’s Scholarship Search.
Our Scholarships
-
$1,500 – I Have a Dream
-
$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
-
$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
-
$2,500 – Superpower
-
$3,000 – All About Education
-
$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
-
$1,500 – Do-Over
-
$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
-
$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
-
$1,500 – Shout It Out
-
$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
-
$5,000 – Education Matters
-
$1,500 – Top Ten List
Written by Dave Moniz
✔️
Edited by Unigo Staff