- According to statistics, more AAPI students are underinformed about how much education will cost them.
- For AAPI students, there are numerous scholarships and awards available.
- Learn about other resources AAPI students can use to assist with college costs.
Today, a lot of jobs require postsecondary education, particularly with the expanding economy. Whether or not someone pursues higher education is influenced by financial factors, particularly financial aid. The expense of college can have an impact on both the school and the experiences that students choose to participate in.
Students can finance their education by obtaining financial aid such as grants and scholarships. But because they lack the necessary information and have trouble filling out the FAFSA, many AAPI students find it difficult to secure financial aid. The Asian American and Pacific Islander Research Coalition (ARC) reports that 70% of AAPI students who were polled said that financial considerations restricted their education options.
Financial Difficulties for Students from Asian American and Pacific Island Communities
The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) reports that 8.1% of white, non-Hispanic Americans and 10.1% of Asian Americans lived in poverty in 2018. In 2020, the unemployment rate for Asian Americans was 3.3%, which was lower than the 4.1% national average. AAPI people make less money than ordinary white Americans for those without a degree.
The majority of AAPI students questioned, according to the ARC, did not receive adequate information regarding their possibilities for financial aid. Furthermore, 60% of AAPI students said that it was too difficult to complete the FAFSA. Racial wealth disparities can be reduced by raising financial literacy. For instance, the Pell Grant programme awards roughly 7 million students with nearly $30 billion annually. However, some college students are unaware of what a grant is or whether they qualify to apply.
Featured AAPI Scholarships
Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship
Who Is Eligible?: Applicants must be 25% Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity and hold U.S. citizenship. They must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and demonstrate leadership skills.
Application Deadline: May 31, 2023
Scholarship Amount: $1,500
Shui Kuen and Allen Chin Scholarship
Who Is Eligible?: To apply, students must have worked or currently work in an Asian restaurant or have a parent who works or has worked in one. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold a minimum 3.0 GPA. They must also enroll in college full time.
Application Deadline: Annually every March
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Asian Pacific Fund Scholarships
Who Is Eligible?: The Asian Pacific Fund wants to help students embark on their dreams. The foundation offers many scholarship options for students at the undergrad and graduate levels. Each scholarship features various eligibility and application requirements.
Application Deadline: Varies by scholarship
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Across Culture Scholarship
Who Is Eligible?: This scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates an openness to learning about other cultures and sharing their own. Applicants do not need to write an essay to apply.
Application Deadline: Annually every April
Scholarship Amount: $1,350
Advancing Social Justice for Asians Scholarship
Who Is Eligible?: Graduate students interested in advancing social justice for Asians may apply. Candidates must provide a letter stating their passion for social justice, how they’ve supported Asians, and how they plan to use the scholarship.
Application Deadline: Annually every April
Scholarship Amount: $500
PG&E Asian Employee Resource Group
Who Is Eligible?: All majors may apply, but the scholarship committee may prefer learners studying engineering, IT, business, environmental fields, or another energy-related emphasis. Students need a 3.0 GPA or higher to apply.
Application Deadline: Applications open at the end of the year
Scholarship Amount: $2,000-$3,000
Korean American Scholarship Foundation
Who Is Eligible?: Korean American and international students from Korea who are enrolled full time may apply for the foundation’s scholarships. Descendants of veterans who served in the Korean War may also be eligible. Applicants must show financial need and academic achievement.
Application Deadline: Varies
Scholarship Amount: $500-$5,000
Cecilia Moy Yep Scholarship Fund
Who Is Eligible?: Asian American women who are high school seniors may apply for this scholarship. They must show participation in community service and extracurricular activities. Applicants also need a minimum 3.0 GPA. Eligible students must reside in Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery, Chester, or Bucks counties.
Application Deadline: Annually every March
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Grants for AAPI Students
The Korean Ancestry Grant
Who Is Eligible?: Students of Asian descent can apply. Those with Korean ancestry receive preference for scholarship funds. Applicants need at least a 3.5 GPA, and only undergraduates can apply.
Application Deadline: Annually every April
Grant Amount: Up to $12,000
Jerome Hill Artist
Who Is Eligible?: Early-career Asian artists living in Minnesota and New York may apply. Applicants must be working in fields such as dance, film, literature, music, theater, visual arts, technology-centered arts, and combined artistic fields.
Application Deadline: To be announced in Fall 2024
Grant Amount: $50,000 over two consecutive years.
Sam Chu Lin and Lloyd Lacuesta Broadcast Internship Grants
Who Is Eligible?: Applicants must be full-time college students or recent graduates. Candidates must major in journalism for grant consideration.
Application Deadline: Varies
Grant Amount: $500-$1,000
William Woo Print and Online News Internship Grant
Who Is Eligible?: Applicants must be undergraduates enrolled full time and current AAJA members. Grant recipients must use the money towards living and travel expenses.
Application Deadline: Varies
Grant Amount: $2,000
Endowment for South Asian Students of Indian Descent (ESASID)
Who Is Eligible?: Medical students in Philadelphia and New Jersey may apply for this grant. Applicants must be of South Asian Indian heritage to qualify.
Application Deadline: Opens July 1-September 30
Grant Amount: $5,000
Additional Resources Financial
The Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund awards high school seniors and first-year college students with $7,500 in scholarships. Candidates must be citizens of the United States and be directly descended from Taiwanese citizens. Additionally, they must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and live in poverty or below. Every year, the application is due in April.
Students of Hmong heritage are eligible for a $5,000 award under the Kao Kalia Yang award Programme. Seniors in a high school in the United States who have a GPA of 2.0 or better are required. Any major may apply. Every year, the deadline is set for April.
Japanese American Citizens League: The financing provided varies in size. Applicants must be JACL members and intend to enrol in full-time academic programmes in the autumn. Applications must be submitted by April of each year.
APIA Scholars: AAPI students can apply for a scholarship from APIA. The scholarship programme offers up to $20,000 across several years, or $2,500 for one year. Candidates must be at or below the poverty line and be the first in their family to enrol in college. Applications are due each January.
Scholarships for Asian American and Pacific Islander Students: Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be a Pacific Islander or Asian American?
50 various ethnic groups, including those with Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander ancestries, make up the AAPI population. More than 7% of Americans identify as AAPI and speak more than 100 languages.
What proportion of AAPI people are college graduates?
54.7% of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have college degrees, according to the New American Economy. This percentage is higher than typical because just one in three Americans, on average, hold degrees. A STEM degree is also more likely to be pursued by AAPI people.
By major, what scholarships are offered to AAPI students?
The #LiveLikeLyly Memorial Scholarship is open to students with an interest in fashion. This grant provides AAPI fashion students with $1,000. The Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area (AABA) accepts applications from law students. The Historically Underrepresented Groups Scholarship (HUGS) is open to students majoring in archaeology. This grant provides $3,000 for childcare, books, supplies, equipment, books, lodging, and tuition. Summer programmes are also funded by it.
What does the AANAPISI scholarship scheme entail?
Scholarships are available to AAPI students through the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) Scholarship Programme. First-generation college students who are at or below the poverty line are eligible for this grant. Candidates must also demonstrate significant ties to the community, aptitude for leadership, and academic performance. For one-year scholarships, the college offers $2,500, and for multi-year scholarships, up to $5,000. The scholarship is currently closed, but it will shortly reopen.
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