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.
$40,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 18
Deadline
The Corris Boyd Scholarship is available for deserving students of color entering a graduate program in healthcare management. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$90,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jan 31
Deadline
This award is available for minority students who are currently enrolled in and have completed at least one year of a graduate program in sociology and are working toward a Ph.D. in the field.
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$5,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
Incoming sophomore, juniors, or seniors attending a California college or university who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must be of 50% or more Asian heritage and major in accounting, political science, public policy, business administration or related fields.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for minority students enrolled in an accredited law school in the U.S. Applicants must have a permanent residence in Michigan, a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and unmet financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for minority students who reside in and around Grand Rapids, Michigan. Applicants must be currently enrolled in one of the specified nursing specialities and must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$300,000
Award Amount
30
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
The NBCC Foundation will administer up to 30 master’s level counseling fellowships of $10,000in exchange for a commitment to teach, serve or counsel minority populations post graduation.
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$6,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This award is available for undergraduate minority students in California who plan to pursue a career in education.
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$15,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 11
Deadline
This award is for first-year law school students who are members of a diverse population that has been historically represented in the legal profession. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or authorized to work in the U.S. and have demonstrated excellent academic performance at their undergraduate school.
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$20,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
The American Psychology Association Minority Fellowship awards are available to minority students pursuing pre-doctoral or post-doctoral education in psychology.
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$75,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Apr 15
Deadline
Established in 2014, the Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund (TASF) focuses on providing financial assistance to economically-challenged Taiwanese American youth. Our mission is to assist all Taiwanese American youth to have the opportunity to pursue higher education and build the foundation for a better future.
To ensure the success of the Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund (TASF) program, we partnered with the nonprofit Asian Pacific Community Fund (APCF), to conducted extensive outreach throughout the United States – reaching over 2,250 interested contacts, including 1,975 high school and university counselors/faculty, 18 scholarship clearinghouses, over 100 tutoring centers, 16 community and faith-based organizations, and over 120 Taiwanese American affiliated associations nationwide in addition to 12 Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECO) located throughout the U.S., as well as the U.S. Overseas Community Affair Council (OCAC), to make this scholarship opportunity available to economically-challenged Taiwanese American students who will be attending their first or second year of college in the fall of 2024. The response was overwhelming, with applicants from 33 states across the nation. (see map below)
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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
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- Eligibility: Students pursuing architecture, engineering, or construction management.
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- Details: Recognizes academic excellence and community involvement.
- Banatao Filipino American Education Fund Scholarship
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- Award Amount: $5,000 annually, renewable
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- Eligibility: Filipino heritage students pursuing STEM degrees.
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- Details: Focuses on supporting students in engineering, physical, or environmental sciences.
Business and Finance Scholarships
- Matt Fong Asian Americans in Public Finance Scholarship
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- Eligibility: Students pursuing careers in public finance, economics, or related fields.
- AICPA Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students
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- Award Amount: Up to $5,000
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- Eligibility: Minority students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in accounting.
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- Application Deadline: Typically in March (Confirm on the website)
Arts Scholarships
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- Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship
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- Eligibility: Asian American students majoring in performing, visual arts, journalism, or mass communications.
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- 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
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- 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
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$1,500 – I Have a Dream
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$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
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$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
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$2,500 – Superpower
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$3,000 – All About Education
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$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
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$1,500 – Do-Over
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$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
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$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
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$1,500 – Shout It Out
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$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
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$5,000 – Education Matters
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$1,500 – Top Ten List
Written by Dave Moniz
✔️
Edited by Unigo Staff