If you are a Filipino student and need help to pay for college, there are scholarships to apply for. Filipino scholarships are part of the ethnic group of Asian and/or Pacific Islander.
To apply, you may need to discuss your Filipino heritage in an essay. In fact, some providers ask if you speak a Filipino dialect like Tagalog. They also look for a record of community service activities.
In order to be eligible for a Filipino scholarship, you usually need to be a U.S. citizen or have a green card. Other criteria that scholarship providers may look at are grades, test scores, and financial need.
For example, the Pinay Aspiration Scholarship offers a $1,000 award to eligible Filipino college students. Eligible applicants must reside in the San Francisco Bay area. To apply, you must submit an essay, recommendation letter, transcript, personal statement and record of work experience and school activities.
However, there are scholarships for students who plan to major in a specific subject. Like business, public finance, nursing or even nutrition.
Additionally, CANFIT scholarships is another one. These are for California minority groups including Asian American and Pacific Islander students. Applicants must plan to study nutrition, physical education or culinary arts in California.
Who Offers Scholarships for Filipino Students?
Scholarships for Filipino students are available from a few sources. Many Filipino scholarships are from individual colleges and universities. These are often for minority students or immigrant groups in general.
But others are from private donors. Ones who want to encourage Filipino students to earn a college degree.
For example, take the Philippine International Aid U.S. Scholarship Fund. It is only for Filipino students who come from a low-income family. Preferred applicants are active in the Filipino community.
There are also providers that may offer scholarship opportunities to state residents only. For example, take the OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates Youth Leadership Award. This $1000 award is for Asian American and Pacific Islander students in Missouri.
Why You Should Consider Filipino Scholarships?
Filipinos have a long history of immigrating to the United States. Today, the U.S. is home to the largest number of Filipinos abroad. According to the US Census, more than 1.9 million Filipinos lived in the U.S. This amounts to about 4% of the country’s 44 million immigrants.
But as immigrants, Filipinos are distinct. A recent study looked at Filipinos, native U.S. citizens and immigrants in general ages 25 and over. It came up with two key findings as related to education among Filipinos.
Filipinos tend to have much higher education rates compared to both groups. The other is that half of Filipino immigrants reported having at least a bachelor’s degree. This compared to about 32 percent of the U.S. born and 30 percent of all immigrants who reported for the survey.
List of Filipino Scholarships
If you are proud to be a Filipino, a scholarship might help you reach your education goals. Check out these 55 scholarships for Filipino students worth $478K.
The Tony V. Grey Legacy Scholarship is an annual award. It was created by his family and loved ones in partnership with the Filipino American Council of Ventura County to memorialize the life, honor the memory, and commemorate the legacy of Tony V. Grey (July 28, 1937 – October 13, 2016). Learn more and apply today!
APIA Scholars provides scholarships to underserved APIA students with a special focus on those who live at or below the poverty level, or are otherwise of low socioeconomic status; have placed a strong emphasis on community service and leadership as well as solid academic achievement.
This award is available for Filipino high school seniors who are a resident of California. Applicants must major in math, engineering, computer science, or the physical or biological sciences (excluding healthcare). Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Click here to learn more and apply today!
Ascend Educational Fund awards scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 to immigrant students and children of immigrants who are graduating from a New York City high school to attend public or private colleges and universities. Regardless of ethnicity, national origin, or immigration status.
This award is available for Filipino high school seniors who are a resident of California. Applicants must major in math, engineering, computer science, or the physical or biological sciences (excluding healthcare). Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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.
This award is available to minority students who are currently enrolled in a graduate program related to library science. Applicants must be residents of California and/or intend to work in California upon graduation. Selectees may be subjected to an interview. Click here to learn more and apply today!
U.S. and Canadian citizens who will have earned no more than 12 hours towards a Master of Library Science degree by June of the award year are eligible for this award. Students must be members of a principal minority group; attend an ALA-accredited school; and plan to enter the library automation field.
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.
Pinay Aspirations is a non-profit organization created to promote the aspirations of Filipino youth in education, the community, personal growth and career development. The Pinay Aspire Scholarship is available for young women high school student of Filipino descent who resides or attends school in one of the 9 San Francisco Bay Area counties.
