The Tzu Chi USA Scholarship is a scholarship program funded by Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation to recognize and provide financial assistance to outstanding college-bound high school graduates and continuing undergraduate students who were prior recipients in selected areas of the United States. Tzu Chi USA Scholars are selected on the basis of their financial need, academic achievement, and community involvement.
Three Deadlines
- Mid-Atlantic (KY, PA, WV, DE, NJ) Applications close on March 16th
- Northwest (Northern CA, Northern NV, OR, WA, MT, WY, AK) Applications close on April 30th
- All other regions’ applications close on March 31st
Eligibility
- Must demonstrate financial need
- U.S. high school senior
- Minimum 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA
- Enrolling in an accredited U.S. college full-time for the coming academic year
Application Requirements
- A completed Tzu Chi USA Scholarship application form for High School students.
- A copy of one of the three following documents demonstrating financial need and showing the name of the applicant:
- Family’s complete prior-year 1040 U.S. Income Tax Return including all schedules
- Family’s complete two-years prior 1040 U.S. Income Tax Return including all schedules and most recent prior-year W-2 and/or 1099
- Any official documentation from the government agency which serves as proof of financial hardship
- *** Please black out all Social Security Numbers on all of the financial documents for security purpose.
- An autobiography (2 to 5 pages) which explains why you should be awarded a scholarship. Please include all of the following:
- Reason for your financial need and how you intend to use this educational scholarship
- Your personal and academic achievements with specific examples
- Your academic and career plans with specific goals
- Your past and current involvement, as well as future plans, towards making a difference in your community
- A two-page essay about Tzu Chi, based on the information you’ve gathered from websites, publications, news articles, etc. Please explain what you’ve learned about Tzu Chi that inspires you and why. Express your thoughts openly and honestly.
- An official high school transcript
- Two letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, and/or other advisors
*Mailed in documents need to include a cover page that states applicant’s name, email, and phone number
**Please mail or email all additional supporting documents to the Tzu Chi Foundation regional office that has been assigned to you based on your school zip code, and indicate: Attn: Tzu Chi Scholars Program
