If you are a Filipino student and need help to pay for college, there are scholarships to apply for. Filipino scholarships are generally part of the ethnic group of Asian and/or Pacific Islander. Keep reading to understand the various scholarship opportunities through Unigo and other providers.
Check out our list of 55 Filipino Scholarships worth $478K.
$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jan 31
Deadline
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!
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$25,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Feb 26
Deadline
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!
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
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.
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$2,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 8
Deadline
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!
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$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.
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$20,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 5
Deadline
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.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Aug 7
Deadline
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!
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 24
Deadline
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.
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$100,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jan 14
Deadline
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.
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$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.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
Awarded on the basis of academic excellence, the AEIRF Minorities and Women Education Scholarship offsets the cost of degrees in real estate appraisal or related fields.
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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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$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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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. To be eligible for a Filipino scholarship, you usually need to be a U.S. citizen or be a legal resident. 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.
Considering 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 4.5 million Filipinos live 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 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.
Filipino Scholarships for College
Filipino American students seeking to pursue a college education have access to a diverse range of Filipino scholarships for college tailored to their unique cultural backgrounds and academic goals. These scholarships are designed to reduce the financial burdens that come with paying for school and to encourage academic excellence within the Filipino community.
Notable options include the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF), which offers varying award amounts to students demonstrating financial need and academic achievement. Similarly, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) Scholarships provide up to $2,500 for undergraduate and graduate degrees, emphasizing community involvement and cultural heritage.
Other significant opportunities include the JAPFA Scholarly Grant, offering between $1,000 and $5,000 based on leadership and community service, and the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) Scholarships, which support students actively preserving Filipino heritage.
Additionally, the Bayani Scholarship Program grants up to $3,000 to Filipino students in the San Francisco Bay Area committed to community service. These scholarships not only provide essential financial support but also recognize the academic and extracurricular achievements of Filipino students, making them invaluable resources for achieving educational aspirations.
Tips for Applying for Scholarships
Securing a Filipino scholarship can be highly competitive, but with the right planning and diligent preparation, Filipino and Filipino American students can significantly increase their chances of success.
- Start applying for scholarships early to allow ample time for gathering necessary documents and crafting compelling essays.
- Staying organized is essential! Consider creating a spreadsheet to track scholarship opportunities, deadlines, and application requirements.
- Tailor each application to align with the specific criteria of the scholarship provider, highlighting how your experiences and goals match their expectations. A compelling personal statement is important – share your unique story, cultural heritage, academic achievements, and future aspirations authentically and passionately.
- Getting strong letters of recommendation from individuals who know you well can provide a substantial advantage. Highlighting your community involvement, especially within the Filipino community, and demonstrating leadership roles can further strengthen your application. Make sure and ask for these letters early on so you have them ready prior to deadlines!
- Make sure you proofread any essays and answers to questions and that you meet all requirements and instructions to avoid disqualification.
- Apply to multiple scholarships to increase your chances of receiving support and maximizing your opportunities to fund your education.
Grants and Other Financial Aid for Filipino American Students
In addition to applying for scholarships, there are many grants available to all students you should not forget to consider During your senior year of high school and every year while you are in school, you should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is important as you may qualify for state and institutional grants – that you do not have to repay – that can supplement any Filipino-based scholarship you receive or be available if you are not able to earn a Filipino scholarship.
Federal Student Aid programs, including Pell Grants, provide essential funding based on financial need. State financial aid programs, such as Cal Grants in California and the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), offer additional support for residents attending in-state colleges and universities. Additionally, employer tuition assistance programs and Military Financial Aid options, including the GI Bill, provide additional ways to potentially fund your education.
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