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Alyssa Schulz Image Written By: Alyssa Schulz | Edited By: Cara Goldstone | Updated: June 1, 2026

Asian and Pacific Islander Scholarships

Key takeaways:

  • There are many scholarships available to students of Asian or Pacific Islander descent.
  • Some Asian and Pacific Islander awards are based solely on heritage while others also consider factors such as an applicant's major, location, or other special attributes.
  • Students of all ages and grade levels can apply for Asian and Pacific Islander scholarships.

According to the National Center of Education Statistics, the number of Asian and Pacific Islander students in higher education has more than doubled since the start of the 21st century alone. Despite this, these students still only make up 8.7% of all undergraduates in the United States.

Luckily, there are many scholarships geared towards Asian and Pacific Islander students that aim to increase their presence and access to higher education.

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The 25 Best Asian and Pacific Islander Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines in 2026

  • 1

  • Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club Scholarships

  • Amount$500
  • DeadlineJuly 13, 2026

At the core of our mission is the vision of our patron, Prince Kuhio, for the upward mobility of the Hawaiian people through education. With this in mind, we make a commitment to fund scholarship recipients for their two or four years of higher education. Applications are open to undergraduate and graduate students. Preference is given to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry and members or member

  • 2

  • Pauahi Foundation Public Scholarships

  • Amount$500
  • DeadlineNovember 30, 2026

The Pauahi Foundation administers scholarships that have been created by private donors. The Foundation awards scholarships supporting undergraduate and graduate level areas of study, as well as trade and vocational courses, in a wide variety of fields. Many awards may be determined based on merit, while some are restricted for those students who demonstrate a financial need or for students

  • 3

  • InspirASIAN Scholarship Program

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineJanuary 31, 2027

InspirASIAN makes a difference in our community by supporting graduating high school seniors with their college education through our scholarship awards. InspirASIAN awards national scholarships to students residing in any state with a participating local InspirASIAN chapter. All students who apply will be considered for the national scholarships awards. Students who are not awarded national

  • 4

  • LAGRANT Foundation Graduate Scholarships

  • Amount$3,750
  • DeadlineFebruary 27, 2027

Each year, The LAGRANT Foundation provides scholarships to undergraduate and graduate ethnic minority students who are attending accredited institutions and are pursuing careers in the fields of advertising, marketing or public relations. The scholarship recipients will receive a trip to either New York City, Portland, OR, or Minneapolis, MN where they will participate in career building

  • 5

  • Pacific Gas & Electric Company ERG Scholarship

  • Amount$6,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 28, 2027

The PG&E Employee Resource Group (ERG) and Engineering Network Group (ENG) scholarships are supported by PG&E and through the fundraising and contributions of the following employee groups, as well as individual employees. Each group awards scholarships to students who have shown commitment to specific communities or causes. Scholarship Details Multiple scholarships available through one

  • 6

  • Banyan College Scholarship for South Asian Americans

  • Amount$20,000
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2027

SRS Family Foundation is delighted to announce the ninth year of the Banyan College Scholarship for South Asian Americans. To date, 44 students have received the Banyan College Scholarship. These students belong to various South Asian communities in New York City and embody the spirit of the award. Scholarship Details Targeted at: New York City high school seniors Grant Amount: $5,000

  • 7

  • USPAACC Asian American College Scholarship

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineMarch 2, 2027

USPAACC awards high school seniors with college scholarships nationwide every year ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 each. Over 2,500 applications are received annually. This opportunity is made possible by support from major corporations and Asian American businesses. Scholarship Details Awards range from $3,000 to $5,000 Supported by major corporations and Asian American businesses 10 to 20

  • 8

  • GBHEM HANA Scholars

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineMarch 6, 2027

The United Methodist Church's General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) awards the HANA Scholarship for Hispanic, Asian, and Native American students. The maximum award value is $5,000. Scholarship Details Exact requirements and amounts vary Also open to internatinal students Eligibility Criteria Current high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate

  • 9

  • Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineMarch 15, 2027

Students pursuing degrees in eligible professions who are enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university are eligible to apply to the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program. Scholars will receive funding for tuition, books, other related educational costs, and a monthly stipend while enrolled full-time in an accredited university/college program. A coordinated service plan

  • 10

  • Helen and L.S. Wong Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount$3,000
  • DeadlineMarch 27, 2027

The Helen and L.S. Wong Memorial Scholarship was established by a private donor in honor of the donor's parents, Helen and L.S. Wong, to provide educational opportunities for students of Asian heritage from Fairfield and Suisun, California. Scholarship Details Award amount: $1,000–$3,000 In honor of Helen and L.S. Wong, Fairfield-Suisun community members Application deadline: March 27th at

  • 11

  • Central California Asian Pacific Women Scholarship

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineApril 4, 2027

Central California Asian Pacific Women (CCAPW) scholarships are available for the upcoming academic year. The scholarships provide financial assistance to Asian and Pacific Islander (API) women pursuing higher education who are from Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, or Tulare County. The number of awards and amounts may vary annually based on available funding and the

  • 12

  • Mary Hill Davis Ethnic/Minority Scholarship

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineApril 15, 2027

The purpose of the Mary Hill Davis Scholarship program is to provide support and encouragement to Texas Baptist ethnic/minority students who will serve as future lay and vocational ministry leaders in Texas Baptist ethnic/minority churches. The scholarship program is designed to assist students pursuing a bachelor’s degree at a Texas Baptist university. Eligible applicants must: show evidence of

  • 13

  • Future Leaders Scholarship Program by NAAAP Philadelphia

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineApril 20, 2027

The National Association of Asian American Professionals – Philadelphia (NAAAP Philadelphia) created its Future Leaders Scholarship to recognize Asian/Asian American students who exhibit exceptional leadership potential. Since 2010, this initiative has supported graduating high school seniors and college students from the Philadelphia region who are committed to creating a positive social impact.

  • 14

  • APCF Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship Program

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineApril 20, 2027

The Cathay Bank Foundation offers twenty $2,500 scholarships to high school seniors planning to attend college as full-time, degree-seeking students in the coming fall. These scholarships are aimed at supporting youth residing in Cathay Bank's business service territories in achieving their higher education aspirations. Scholarship Details Number of Scholarships: 20 Amount: $2,500 each

  • 15

  • Matt Fong Asian Americans in Public Finance Scholarship

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineApril 20, 2027

Four $5,000 Scholarships are available for full-time undergraduate students at a four-year college/university in California or New York for the coming academic year. The Matt Fong Asian Americans in Public Finance Scholarships aim to support students interested in pursuing careers in the public sector. Scholarship Details Number of Scholarships: 4 Amount: $5,000 each Applicable to

  • 16

  • The Tang Scholarship

  • Amount$60,000
  • DeadlineApril 30, 2027

Mr. Edward C. Tang established this award in 2007 to provide financial assistance to LGBTQ+ Asian and Pacific Islanders (API) for post-secondary Education. Scholarship Details Supporting Asian students in the LGBTQ+ community Four awards of $15,000 each Awarded annually since 2007 Renewable for up to three additional years Eligibility Asian/Pacific Islander

  • 17

  • Carolinas Chinese Chamber of Commerce Scholarship

  • Amount$3,000
  • DeadlineMay 31, 2027

The Carolinas Chinese Chamber of Commerce Scholarship will provide underprivileged students in the Carolinas the resources they need in order to excel and achieve their dreams. They will provide students funding for their interest in study-abroad programs to Asia to promote culture exchange, they will provide Asian American students majoring in political science the opportunity to pursue their

  • 18

  • Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineMay 31, 2027

The scholarship program was established in 1998 to support underserved and underrepresented law students who have been admitted to Bay Area Law Schools. In twenty six years, we have awarded over 2 million dollars in scholarships to 110 students with scholarships that are generally $10,000 per year. Scholarship Details Financial assistance for minority law students in the Bay

What are Asian and Pacific Islander scholarships?

Asian and Pacific Islander scholarships are awards for students who are of Asian or Pacific Islander descent. These scholarships encompass a broad range of ethnicities, including students with East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, Polynesian, Micronesian, and Melanesian heritage.

For some of these awards, the only requirement is that an applicant is ethnically Asian or Pacific Islander. Others have additional criteria and may consider factors such as a student's residence state, financial need, or involvement in the Asian and Pacific Islander community.

How to apply for Asian and Pacific Islander scholarships

The application process for Asian and Pacific Islander scholarships will vary by award. However, most scholarships require applicants to submit items such as their academic transcripts, personal statement, and proof of enrollment. If a scholarship is need-based, students will likely need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Submitting the FAFSA doesn’t mean students have to take out loans; it just means that their financial information is available to the schools and scholarship providers they’re applying to. If students don’t fill out the FAFSA, they won’t be eligible for some awards.

By signing up for a free account on Scholarships.com, students can ensure that they only spend their time applying to awards that they are eligible for. After they enter their academic and demographic information, they’ll be automatically matched with scholarships they qualify for, including scholarships for Asian and Pacific Islander students. When looking through their matches, students can view all the steps needed to apply, as well as specific eligibility criteria.

What are the best Asian and Pacific Islander scholarships?

The best Asian and Pacific Islander scholarship for any particular student will vary based on a multitude of factors such as their race, location, academic interests, and more. For example, the Banyan College Scholarship is a great fit for high school seniors of South Asian descent living in New York City. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need and have a GPA of at least 3.5.

There are also many Asian and Pacific Islander scholarships particular to certain majors such as the LiveLikeLyly Memorial Scholarship, which is available to any high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student pursuing a major in fashion or graphic design.

However, as many applicants may not fit scholarships with such specific requirements, it’s also a good idea to apply for more general awards. The Foundation 649 Scholarship, for instance, is open to any high school senior with East, South, Southeast Asian, or Pacific Islander heritage.

Frequently asked questions about Asian and Pacific Islander scholarships

Do I need to have a certain percentage of Asian or Pacific Islander heritage to qualify for these scholarships?

Each Asian and Pacific Islander scholarships will have different requirements when it comes to what makes a student eligible. However, the majority Asian and Pacific Islander awards don’t have strict criteria and only ask that students identify as Asian or Pacific Islander.

Other scholarships, though, require applicants to have a certain percentage of Asian or Pacific Islander ancestry to apply. One example is the Against the Grain Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship which requires that applicants have at least 25% Asian or Pacific Islander ethnicity.

How do I find Asian and Pacific Islander scholarships that are specific to my ethnicity?

Because the term “Asian and Pacific Islander” encompasses so many ethnicities, you likely won’t qualify for every award in this category. To ensure that you only apply for Asian and Pacific Islander scholarships that fit your specific heritage, you can use our scholarship directory to search for scholarships by ethnicity.

However, it’s important to remember that some of these awards have additional requirements and may consider components such as your school year, academic major and financial need along with your race.

This is why it’s a good idea to create an account on Scholarships.com; you’ll not only match with scholarships particular to your ethnicity, but you’ll also be provided with only the scholarships you qualify for based on your unique background.

Can I still apply for an Asian and Pacific Islander scholarship if I’m currently in college?

There are many Asian and Pacific Islander scholarships that are created specifically for students in college, whether they are undergraduate or graduate students. One of these is the APIASF General Scholarship which is available to any Asian and Pacific Islander student in the process of completing their bachelor's degree.

There are also Asian and Pacific Islander scholarships that are open to both high school and college aged students. The Tang Scholarship is a $60,000 award that is open to Asian and Pacific Islander students ages 17-25. However, to qualify for this particular award, applicants must also be a part of and involved in the LGBTQ+ community

What are the best Asian and Pacific Islander scholarships for high school seniors?

Countless Asian and Pacific Islander scholarships are open specifically to high school seniors. However, just like other awards, Asian and Pacific Islander scholarships for high school seniors will have varying criteria.

An Asian and Pacific Islander scholarship for high school seniors with general requirements, for example, is the USPAACC Asian American College Scholarship which is available to high school seniors nationwide.

A more specific scholarship is the Lily Pabilona Emerging Entrepreneur Scholarship which recognizes Asian American students pursuing a career in entrepreneurship. Applicants must be either a high school senior or a college student, own and operate a small business, have a 3.0+ GPA, and be of at least 25% Asian or Pacific Islander descent.

What other types of scholarships do I qualify for as an Asian or Pacific Islander student?

Asian and Pacific Islander students can apply to many other types of scholarships that are not exclusively for Asian and Pacific Islanders. In particular, these students will likely qualify for diversity-based and minority scholarships.

There are also slightly more specific minority-based scholarships that Asian and Pacific Islander students can apply to. For example, the GBHEM HANA Scholarship is available to students of Asian as well as Hispanic and Native American descent.