If you are attending college or you are in the process of selecting a undergraduate or graduate degree program or vocational school to attend, it is important to look for various ways to fund your education. While all students may qualify for Federal Student Aide and state grants, Asian or Pacific Islander may also qualify for minority scholarships that are either needs based or merit based in nature. If you are looking for a school specific scholarship opportunity, or a renewable award that will help you pay for your studies throughout your entire student career, use this as your guide to college scholarships for Asian and Pacific Islander students to make the process of finding funding easier.
1. Adrienne M. & Charles Shelby Rooks Fellowship for Racial & Ethnic Theological Students
DEADLINE: March 1
The Adrienne M. & Charles Shelby Rooks Fellowship was created to help racial and ethnic members of the United Church of Christ who are underrepresented in the church body get a seminary education. To qualify for a renewable award between $500 and $5000, students must be part of a congregation of the United Church of Christ and from an ethnic group that is not well represented. Part-time and full-time students must also be enrolled in school of theology that is accredited, and currently hold a B average in college studies.
Contact
The Adrienne M. and Charles Shelby Rooks Fellowship
Local Church Ministries
700 Prospect Ave E.
Cleveland, OH 44115
216-736-3839
2. AICPA Minority Accounting Students Scholarships
DEADLINE: April 1
The American Institute of CPAs is a foundation dedicated to advancing the field of accountancy. In an effort to support minority students majoring in accounting, the AICPA has offered the AICPA Scholarship to more than 8000 students over a period of 4 decades. To qualify for one of 80 awards of up to $5000 per year, students must be an underrepresented minority in the field of accountancy. Students must have completed at least 30 semester hours with a 3.0 GPA or higher, and be enrolled in school full-time to qualify. Applicants must also be a student member of the AICPA and a US citizen or resident. Winners will be selected by a task force based on academic achievement, leadership, and history of volunteerism.
Contact
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Minority Scholarships Program
Academic and Career Development Team – MIC
Durham Office
220 Leigh Farm Road
Durham, NC 27707
scholarships@aicpa.org
3. Anheuser-Busch NAPABA Law Foundation Presidential Scholarships
DEADLINE: September 2
The NAPABA Law Foundation is a non-profit organization that was started by the NAPABA to assist Asian Pacific Americans law students. Each fall the foundation partners with Anheuser-Busch to select two applicants who have served the Asian Pacific American community and who also demonstrate the ability to lead the community. Students must be pursuing a Juris Doctor degree at an accredited law school located in the U.S. and be enrolled in courses half-time or more. The two winners will receive $7500 for the year to cover educational expenses.
Contact
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
c/o Parkin Lee, Esq.
The Rockefeller Group
1221 Avenue of the Americas, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10020
nlfstaff@napaba.org
4. Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund
Deadline: January 10
The Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund was created to help create opportunities for Asian American students so that they can complete their post-secondary education and succeed in professional life. To qualify for an award between $2500 and $15,000, students must be of Asian or Pacific Islander ethnicity and a permanent resident or U.S. citizen. Students must also have a GPA of 2.7 or higher, and be earning a degree at an accredited school. All students are required to have a financial aide application on file to be considered.
Contact
APIASF
2025 M Street NW, Suite 610
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 986-6892
(877) 808-7032
info@apiasf.org
5. AXA Achievement Scholarships
DEADLINE: December 15 (Only the first 10,000 applications will be reviewed)
The AXA Foundation offers both a state and national AXA Achievement Scholarship to students who are dedicated in improving the quality of life in communities around the nation by volunteering their time. Each year, 1 winner from each state will receive a state award of $10,000 and 10 of these winners will receive a national award of $25,000. Applicants must be graduating high school students, legal residents or citizens of the US, and be able to demonstrate community involvement with evidenced volunteer work.
Contact
AXA Foundation
1-800-537-4180
1-507-931-1682
axaachievement@scholarshipamerica.org
6. Bill Bernbach Minority Scholarship
DEADLINE: October 25
The Bill Bernbach Minority Scholarship is offered by the American Association of Advertising Agencies to offer multiculture students who excel in creative arts funding to earn an undergraduate degree from one of the following advertising schools: The Miami Ad School, The University of Texas at Austin, The Portfolio Center, The Creative Circus, The Ad Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, The Art Center College of Design at Pasadena. All students who apply must be enrolled in a participating school with full-time enrollment status and be classified as a senior. Winners of this scholarship will receive $5000 to cover expenses during the last year of college.
Contact
AAAA
1707 L Street NW, Suite #600
Washington, DC 20036
212-682-2500
bbscholarship@ny.ddb.com
7. CANFIT Program Scholarships
DEADLINE: March 31
The CANFIT organization is dedicated to helping low income communities and communities of color develop. In an effort to empower ethnically diverse members of communities, the CANFIT program awards a variety of different scholarships. Currently, the organization offers Nutrition, Culinary Arts, and Physical Education awards to students of color who have a financial need and want to study any of these fields. Culinary Arts, undergraduate, and graduate students are all welcomed to apply as long as they are enrolled in an accredited program within California with prior completed units.
Contact
CANFIT Program Scholarships
2140 Shattuck Avenue Ste 610
Berkeley, CA 94704
info@canfit.org
Fax: 510.644.1535
8. Central California Asian Pacific Women Scholarship
DEADLINE: May 15
The Central California Asian Pacific Women (CCAPW) is an organization dedicated to helping Asian Pacific American women pursue a higher education. Asian and Pacific Islander women who live in Fresno, Mariposa, Madera, Kings, Kem, Tulare, and Merced counties are welcomed to apply for the annual $500 award if they qualify. Students must be able to demonstrate academic achievement and potential, and must also demonstrate financial need. Women pursuing a degree or certificate in any field will be considered.
Contact
Scholarship Committee
Central California Asian Pacific Women
c/o Rita Merzoian
PO Box 26803
Fresno, CA 93729
rmerzoian@sbcglobal.net
9. Chiyoko & Thomas Shimazaki Scholarship
DEADLINE: April 1
The Chiyoko & Thomas Shimazaki Scholarship is sponsored by the Japanese American Citizens League. All JACL members and their children are welcomed to apply for this scholarship, which is available to Japanese American students who are pursuing a degree in a medical-related field. Non-renewable awards range between $1000 and $5000, and are granted on an annual basis.
Contact
Chiyoko & Thomas Shimazaki Scholarship
JACL National Scholarship Awards
National Headquarters
1765 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
415 921-5225
youthdir@jacl.org
10. Cox Foundation Scholarship
DEADLINE: VARIES
The Cox Foundation have been offering financial assistance to students throughout Southern California who have a history of academic achievement for more than 13 years. The Cox Scholars program will offer selected scholars awards in varying amounts to cover the tuition costs, book costs, and other educational expenses. To qualify for 1 of 20 awards, students must be graduating from high school and enrolling in a 2-year or 4-year college. To be eligible, students also need to possess a 3.0 GPA and show a history of being involved in the Southern California community.
Contact
Cox Foundation Scholarship
1070 E. Orange Grove Ave.
Burbank, CA 91501
Ayn Craciun, Cox Communications
949-546-2597
ayn.craciun@cox.com
11. Edna Yelland Scholarship
DEADLINE: January 31
The Edna Yelland Scholarship is sponsored by the California Library Association for minority students in the memory of Edna Yelland, a dedicated librarian. To qualify for the $2500 award, students must be a minority student pursuing a Master’s level degree in Library Science from a school in the state of California that is accredited by a Federal accreditation body. Anyone considered must be a resident of California and be able to show need.
Contact
California Library Association
717 20th Street, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95814
Hildie.Kraus@sdcounty.ca.gov
916 447 8541
12. Endowment for South Asian Students of Indian Descent Scholarship Fund
DEADLINE: September 30
The Endowment for South Asian Students of Indian Descent was created in 2002 in an effort to assist South Asian Indian students with the cost of pursuing a medical degree from a medical school. To qualify for the award, students must be residents of Pennsylvania. Students must also have completed their first year at an accredited PA medical school, and maintain full-time enrollment in their second, third, or fourth year. Each winner will receive a one-time $2000 scholarship.
Contact
Endowment for South Asian Students of Indian Descent
777 East Park Drive
P.O. Box 8820
Harrisburg, PA 17105
717-558-7854
studentservices-foundation@pamedsoc.org
13. Federal Aviation Administration Asian American-Pacific Islander & Native American-Alaskan Native Internship Scholarship
DEADLINE: Varies
The Federal Aviation Administration offers both minority undergraduate and graduate students scholarships if they are interested in pursuing a career with the FAA. The scholarship caters to Asian American and Pacific Islander students who are pursuing degrees in Computer Science, Engineering, Electronics, Law, Mathematics, Aviation Safety, and other related fields in aviation. To be considered eligible, students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and be willing to commit 15 weeks to completing an internship.
Contact
FAA
1333 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
reid.may@twc.edu
Mai Nguyen
MSI Program Manager
202-267-7666
14. Henry & Chiyo Kuwahara Creative Arts Award
DEADLINE: April 1
The Henry & Chiyo Kuwahara Creative Arts award is sponsored by the Japanese American Citizens League and available to members of the JACL and their family. To qualify for this scholarship, the student must be enrolled in a degree program majoring in Arts, Visual Arts and Performing. Students who can create arts that reflect the Japanese-American experience will win an award of $5000 for the year.
Contact
JACL
1765 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
415-921-5225
jacl@jacl.org
15. Jack and Jeanette Chu Scholarship Fund
DEADLINE: November 15
The Jack and Jeanette Chu award is sponsored by the Asian Pacific Fund. It was created by Mr. and Mrs. Chu to assist incoming UC Berkley students who are pursing a degree in either business or education. Applicants must be of Asian heritage and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be considered as a freshmen at the college. Students who have lived in Central America and who are of Chinese heritage will receive priority. The scholarship of $5000 is renewable for 4 years of college.
Contact
Asian Pacific Fund
465 California Street, Suite 809
San Francisco CA 94104
(415) 395-9985
info@asianpacificfund.org
16. Joe Morozumi Scholarship
DEADLINE: January 18
The Asian American Bar Association sponsors the Joe Morozumi scholarship to honor one of the first and most talented Asian American trial lawyers in the San Francisco area. Students who are pursuing a law degree and have demonstrated academic excellence may be eligible for this award. All students who apply must be of Asian decent, live in the Bay Area, and be able to show financial need.
Contact
aaba2013scholarships@gmail.com
http://www.aaba-bay.com/
17. Lagrant Foundation Scholarship for Graduates
DEADLINE: February 28
The Lagrant Foundation Scholarship is offered by the foundation to help increase the number of minorities working in the fields of marketing, advertising and Public Relations. The scholarship for graduate students aims to help students with their professional development by awarding winners with a $5000 scholarship. All applicants must be a member of a minority group, be a US citizen, be a full-time graduate student, and major in a field of marketing.
Contact
The LAGRANT Foundation
600 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1520
Los Angeles, CA 90017
323.469.8680
erickainiguez@lagrant.com
18. Lim, Ruger & Kim Scholarship
DEADLINE: September 8
The Lim, Ruger & Kim award sponsored by National Asian Pacific American Bar Association is available to Asian Pacific American students who are committed to contributing to the Pacific American community and who have served the community in the past. Students must be enrolled at a law school that is accredited by the ABA and show potential to be considered for the award of $2500. After reviewing applications, the committee will contact semi-finalists for interviews to make the final selection decision based on maturity and responsibility.
Contact
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Parkin Lee, Esq.
The Rockefeller Group
1221 Avenue of the Americas, 17th Floor
New York, New York 10020
(213) 955-9500
info@limruger.com
19. Linda Yu Broadcast Scholarship
DEADLINE: February 15
The Linda Yu Broadcast Scholarship is offered by the Asian American Journalists Association to Asian American students who are interested in spending their summer interning at WBEZ radio in Chicago. Interns will receive a $2500 stipend and invaluable experience in radio journalism. To be considered, the applicant must be an undergraduate student, graduate student, or recent graduate and member of the AAJA.
Contact
AAJA
Niala Boodhoo
848 East Grand Ave.
Navy Pier Chicago, IL 60611
NBoodhoo@wbez.org
20. McDonalds of Southern California Ronald McDonald House Charities / ASIA
DEADLINE: January 27
The Ronald McDonald House Charities has offered a wide range of different scholarships to future leaders for years. The ASIA opportunity is geared towards Asian Pacific American Students Increasing Achievement, and will help students within Southern California cover the rising costs of pursuing a college education. To be considered, students must be of Asian Pacific heritage and planning to attend an accredited school or vocational school. All students must be less than 21 and have a GPA of 2.7 or higher.
Contact
ISTS
RMHC SOCAL Scholarship Program
1321 Murfreesboro Road STE 800
Nashville, TN 37217
(615) 777-3750
21. Ohio Newspapers Foundation Minority Scholarship
DEADLINE: March
The Ohio Newspapers Foundation offers a Minority Scholarship that is open to Hispanic, African American, and Asian American applicants. To receive the award, students must be college bound high school graduates planning on pursuing a degree in journalism. All students must be able to show a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and also be able to show a financial need.
Contact
OH Newspapers Foundation
1335 Dublin Rd. Ste 216B
Columbus, OH 43215
614-486-6677
22. Operation Jumpstart III Scholarships
DEADLINE: January
The American Association of Advertising Agencies sponsors the Operation Jumpstart III award, which is offered to support aspiring multicultural copywriters and art directors who are enrolled in a graduate degree program. This graduate-level scholarship is available to students who are enrolled to attend one of the six OJS III colleges. Students must be minorities, multiracial or multiethnic to qualify for the one-time $10,000 award.
Contact
American Association of Advertising Agencies
405 Lexington Ave. 18th Fl.
New York, NY 10174
(212) 682-2500
nhill@aaaa.org
23. Portland Chapter AAJA Scholarships
DEADLINE: April 1
The Asian American Journalists Association Portland Chapter offers students pursuing an education in the field of journalism with $2000 to attend an undergrad or graduate program. All students must be a resident in Portland or attending school in Oregon that is accredited. Winners will be selected based on their journalistic ability, academic performance, need, and involvement in the community.
Contact
AAJA
5 Third Street
Suite 1108
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-346-2051
national@aaja.org
24. The Tang Scholarship
DEADLINE: April
The TANG Scholarship was created to help Asian and Pacific Islander students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Students must have graduated from a Bay Area school, be enrolled in school full-time, and demonstrate financial hardship to be considered. All applicants must be between the age of 17 and 25 and a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Contact
Edward Tang
P. O. Box 6961
San Carlos, CA 94070-6961
ecmt@yahoo. com
tel: 650.450.5400
25. East Asian Studies Scholarship – Valparaiso University
DEADLINE: Contact Sponsoring organization
The East Asian Studies scholarship is a school specific award that is sponsored by students attending Valparaiso University. Students must be pursuing a degree in East Asian Studies and demonstrate academic achievement and merit. Winners of this merit-based award will receive between $1000 and $12000.
Contact
Valparaiso University
US Highway 30 and Sturdy Road
Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 464-5000
Every college student should explore scholarship opportunities to reduce educational expenses. Compare the requirements, the award amounts, and keep the deadlines in mind. Once you identify opportunities, start preparing your application so that you can compete.