The most common student-specific scholarships and grants are those available to minorities. Many organizations and colleges have funding available to make campuses more diverse or reward funding to groups they feel have been traditionally underserved in higher education. As the number of Asian and Pacific Islander students increases on U.S. college campuses, many organizations have also seen an increased need for scholarships and are more generous than ever in the scholarships they award. Scholarships are offered on the basis of origin, religion, by vocation, gender, or by resident state. Additionally, many scholarship awards will be merit-based, meaning your academic achievements such as GPA and standardized test scores will matter, and some will have major restrictions, as many groups work specifically to bring more minority students to certain fields of study.
It is misleading to group all Asians and Pacific Islanders together since they not only differ regionally but culturally. Pacific Islanders are typically from Hawaii, Guam, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Phillippines, and several other Pacific Islands. Some scholarships may be reserved solely for Asians or specifically for Pacific Islanders - and some will accept both, so make sure to check the eligibility requirements when applying. Organizations such as the Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Foundation offer many scholarships specifically for Asian and Pacific Islander students. A prestigious and large dollar scholarship for Asian/Pacific Islanders and other minority students is the Gates Millenium Scholarship Program. Check out these and many other great opportunities to fund your college education.
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Make sure to also contact your college about school-based awards that may be available to you for attending that particular college. Many colleges and universities have minority scholarship funds set up by alumni who would like to help future minority students pay for college. And if you're applying for many of the merit-based awards, don't rule out other merit-based scholarships, as you're probably eligible for many more if you have a stellar academic record.
Below are examples of Asian and Pacific Islander scholarships and grants you may be interested in pursuing. To find out if you're eligible or for additional information about scholarships based on ethnicity or other criteria, conduct a free college scholarship search at Scholarships.com.
The Foundation of the American College of Healthcare Executives established this scholarship in honor of Albert W. Dent, the first African-American Fellow of ACHE. This scholarship is offered to provide financial aid to racially/ethnically students in healthcare management graduate programs to help offset tuition costs, student loans and expenses.
Offered annually, the Albert W. Dent Graduate [...] More
The Against The Grain Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship provides financial assistance and promotion of Asian American college seniors and graduate students who have exhibited exemplary leadership, vision, and passion that is blazing a trail for others to follow and changing lives in the Asian American community.
The scholarship awards $1,000 to be applied toward school tuition and fees. [...] More
Through the Spectrum Scholarship Program, the American Library Association affirms its commitment to diversity and inclusion by seeking the broadest participation of new generations of racially and ethnically diverse librarians to position ALA to provide leadership in the transformation of libraries and library services. The Spectrum Scholarship Program actively recruits and provides scholarships [...] More
The Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) is the nation's largest 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides scholarships to Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (APIAs) with financial need. Applicants must register for a free account on the scholarship provider's website to complete the application. Applicants must be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined [...] More
Founded in 1903, the American Political Science Association (APSA) is the leading professional organization for the study of political science and serves more than 11,000 members in more than 100 countries. With a range of programs and services for individuals, departments, and institutions, APSA brings together political scientists from all fields of inquiry, regions, and occupational endeavors [...] More
Through its Minority Fellowship Program (MFP), ASA provides a stipend of $20,000 for each annual award (August 1-July 31) and works with departments to try to arrange for the payment of tuition for the academic year. The Fellowship includes designated cohort programming at the ASA Annual Meeting, travel support for scientific conferences, and the opportunity to become part of a distinguished [...] More
A nationally recognized university located in Sioux Falls, Augustana is home to students who aspire to become the change-makers and problem-solvers of tomorrow. We believe life is about the journey — the places you see, the experiences you have, the knowledge you gain and the people you meet along the way. It's what being a Viking is all about, and it's why we're proud to partner with families to [...] More
Our mission is to strengthen the Asian and Pacific Islander community in the Bay Area by increasing philanthropy and supporting the organizations that serve our most vulnerable community members. We envision a thriving Asian and Pacific Islander community with presence and impact. To apply for a scholarship administered by the Asian Pacific Fund, please review the complete eligibility criteria [...] More
The Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship provides financial assistance to qualified students from minority groups underrepresented in our law schools. Applicants must be attending eligible law schools in the Bay Area, and must demonstrate financial need. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] More
Applicants of the Brown and Caldwell Minority Scholarship must be a United States citizen or permanent resident who is a full-time student enrolled in his/her junior, senior year or graduate program at an accredited college/university and have a declared major in civil, chemical or environmental engineering or one of the environmental sciences (e.g. biology, geology, hydro-geology, ecology). Must [...] More
CCAPW scholarships provide financial assistance to Asian and Pacific Islander (API) women pursuing higher education who are from the following California counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, or Tulare.
Applicants will be evaluated based on the following: first generation student, academic achievement, leadership, contribution to API community, and ethnic [...] More
Are you a graduate student or mid-career professional seeking to develop and strengthen your leadership skills and broaden your public policy knowledge? Are you committed to positive social change and to advancing the well-being of all New Yorkers? If so, the Center for Women in Government & Civil Society invites you to apply to its Fellowship on Women & Public Policy program. Since 1983, the [...] More
Elms College is a modern part of a living tradition established over 300 years ago by the Sisters of St. Joseph — a bold group of devout, progressive changemakers. We are dedicated to providing a rigorous education animated by a community where all are welcome. Elms is a private college that strives to be accessible to all. We believe education is not an end in itself, but a path to discovering [...] More
The Student Financial Services area within the Foundation administers yearly scholarship programs to deserving medical students from Pennsylvania. It is important to note, our scholarship opportunities are made possible by generous contributions from the Pennsylvania Medical Society and its Alliance, county medical societies and alliances, physician members, and other partnerships within the [...] More
The EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship provides funds for two years of undergraduate study majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) discipline related to NOAA's programs and mission. The program is targeted toward students who have completed their sophomore year and are attending minority-serving institutions (MSIs). You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national who is [...] More
The Fontana Transport Inc Scholars Program is for first generation high school seniors who are underrepresented, need financial assistance and are passionate about furthering their education as a means to help out their family, community and themselves. We want to be able to find, sponsor, and guide leaders who are determined to succeed by all means possible regardless of their struggles, lack of [...] More
The Frederick and Demi Seguritan Scholarship is offered to first generation Asian Americans who have a demonstrated interest in business (business major not required). Eligible applicants must be an incoming freshman enrolled full-time at an accredited four-year college/university with a minimum 3.0 GPA and must be able to demonstrate financial need. Must also be a resident of Alameda, Contra [...] More
FTE offers fellowships to sustain current Ph.D. and Th.D. students of color through graduate school and into a vocation of teaching and scholarship. In doing so, FTE is working toward improving the quality of theological education and scholarship by diversifying the faculties of theological schools. Financial support is available for doctoral students who have completed the coursework stage of [...] More
To be eligible for the George A. Strait Minority Scholarship, applicants must: be enrolled in an ALA accredited library graduate school program or law school in the U.S.; be a member of a recognized minority group (as defined by current U.S. guidelines); intend to pursue a career in law librarianship; complete the Strait Scholarship/Fellowship application, indicating their interest in either the [...] More
The Grand Rapids Community Foundation's Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids Minority Scholarship is awarded to students of color (African-American, Hispanic-American, Native-American, AAPI) attending a non-profit public or private college or university in Western Michigan, majoring in Fine Arts (including all visual and performing art forms). Applicants must demonstrate financial hardship, be a [...] More
The Grand Rapids Community Foundation's Hackett Family Scholarship is offered to a senior at or has graduated from any public high school located in Grand Rapids, Godfrey Lee, Godwin Heights, Grandville, Kelloggsville, Kentwood or Wyoming, Michigan and is a full time undergraduate student attending an accredited college/university or skilled trade school of their choice. Preference is given to [...] More
The Grand Rapids Community Foundation's Miller Johnson Michigan Diversity Law School Scholarship is awarded to students of color with a permanent residence in Michigan or attending a Michigan law school. Students must demonstrate financial need, and have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Scholarship recipients are selected by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation (GRCF) and applicants follow the GRCF [...] More
Growing Up Asian in America provides a unique platform for young people to creatively explore and celebrate being both Asian or Pacific Islander and American. Applicants must be Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese or other Asian/Pacific Islander, multi-cultural ethnicity in grades K-12. Applicants must live in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa [...] More
The Hsiao Memorial Economics Scholarship was established in honor of Liang-Lin Hsiao who was a professor of economics at Indiana State University.
Applicants must be a graduate student attending an accredited U.S. college or university in the coming fall who is pursuing a graduate degree in the social sciences and economics. Preference is given to students pursuing a career in economics and [...] More
The Korean Ancestry Grants are awarded to students of Asian ancestry with at least one Asian grandparent. There is a strong preference for applicants of Korean ancestry. The grant is for undergraduate study at a well-accredited college or university in the United States. The minimum GPA to apply is 3.50. To apply for a Korean Ancestry Grant from The William Orr Dingwall Foundation, an applicant [...] More
HCF distributes over $7 million annually to deserving students, making it the third largest private provider of post-secondary scholarship in the state. Our scholarships support students who are pursuing degrees from colleges and universities, as well as those obtaining career and technical education at a community college. In 2021, the average scholarship award was $6,200 per student. The HCF [...] More
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 [...] More
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 [...] More
The Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship for Racial Ethnic Minority Students awards a scholarship for the undergraduate study of religion journalism or mass communications. The scholarship assists a United Methodist undergraduate who intends to pursue a career in religion journalism through study at an accredited U.S. college or university. Applicants must be a United Methodist ethnic [...] More
The Matt Fong Asian Americans in Public Finance scholarship honors the memory of former California state treasurer, Matt Fong, for his dedication to public service, active involvement in state politics, and direct impact he had in opening up opportunities for Asian Americans in the public finance industry. Applicants must be an incoming sophomore, junior or senior at a four-year [...] More
The Minority Teacher Education Scholarship (MTES) program was created to be Florida’s Answer to Diversity in Teaching. For over 20 years, the Florida Fund for Minority Teachers, Inc. has answered the call and continues to provide the great state of Florida with high quality, highly qualified minority teachers. FFMT is governed by a Governor appointed Board of Directors from institutions of higher [...] More
If: 1) you plan to teach at a nonprofit Illinois public, private, or parochial preschool, elementary school, or secondary school, for which the Illinois State Board of Education has determined that no less than 30 percent of the enrolled students are African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian American, or Native American; and 2) you are of African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian [...] More
New York Women in Communications (NYWICI) provides scholarships every year to deserving young students. Scholarships range from $2,500 to $10,000 for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students for students pursuing a career/major in the field of communications. Applicants must reside in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania or go to college or university in one of those [...] More
Page Grants are awarded to Minnesota students of color who attend Minnesota post-secondary schools and agree to complete annual service projects with young children. Students at all levels of academic achievement can qualify for a grant. The selection process highlights an applicant's attitude toward education, willingness to provide service to children, and financial need. You must be enrolled [...] More
The Pauahi Foundation administers scholarships that have been created by private donors. Many awards may be determined based on merit, while some are restricted for those students who demonstrate a financial need or for students applying from specific geographic regions. Scholarships are available to the general public, including students who are not graduates of Kamehameha Schools.
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 [...] More
Ed Bradley is best known for his award-winning work in 26 years on CBS News’ 60 Minutes and as the first African American White House TV correspondent. Bradley received the Paul White Award from RTDNA in 2000 recognizing his lifetime commitment to RTDNA and the First Amendment Award from RTDNF in 2005 in recognition of his support of First Amendment rights. He passed away in 2006.
The SEED Foundation's SEED Scholar Program is proud to support Indian youth with scholarships for higher education. Applicants must be of Asian-Indian heritage with at least one parent of Indian ancestry; a graduating U.S. high school senior; have a minimum G.P.A of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; must enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in a U.S. university in the fall of the year the scholarship is [...] More
Incoming freshman or current, full-time undergraduate at a four-year college/university in the upcoming academic year are eligible to apply for the Shui Kuen and Allen Chin Scholarship. Applicants must be a student or parent currently/formerly employed at an Asian-owned or Asian cuisine restaurant and demonstrate community advocacy and social justice work on behalf of Asian American, immigrant, [...] More
As the philanthropic arm of SME, an internationally recognized nonprofit organization serving the manufacturing industry, the SME Education Foundation inspires, prepares and supports the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent. The Foundation leverages the 90-year history and thought leadership of SME in the manufacturing and engineering industry to provide curated experiences for [...] More
Created by the Tennessee General Assembly in 1974 as a non-profit corporation with the merging of the Tennessee Educational Loan Corporation and the Tennessee Tuition Grant Program, the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) administers over 20 different state student financial aid programs, including the HOPE scholarship, Tennessee Promise, Tennessee Reconnect, Tennessee Student [...] More
The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to exceptional student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential. Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance* that is not already covered by other financial aid [...] More
The mission of the Herbert Lehman Education Program is to help transform the promise of racial equality into a social, economic, and political reality by supporting talented undergraduate students with financial need to stay in school and successfully complete their bachelor’s degree. Students who are interested in applying for the Herbert Lehman Scholarship are strongly encouraged to review the [...] More
The GBHEM scholarship application opens in January of each year. You can only submit one application per year where it will be screened for all possible eligible programs. You may indicate on the first page of the scholarship application which of the below listed programs you would most like to be considered for. Scholarship programs are divided into three categories: General Scholarships, [...] More
Upakar was founded to support the educational and career aspirations of the Indian-American community. To be eligible for the Indian-American Scholarship, applicants must: have either been born or have one parent born in India; be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident (Green Card) holder; have a prior year Family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) on the IRS form 1040 of less than $90,000; and be a [...] More
Summer Student Fellowships at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are awarded to undergraduate students who have completed their junior or senior year at colleges or universities and are studying in any of the fields of science or engineering including but not limited to the fields of biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, geophysics, mathematics, meteorology, physics, oceanography, and [...] More
The William A. Crawford Minority Teacher Scholarship is a scholarship for minority students (defined as Black and Hispanic/Latinx individuals) planning to teach in an accredited school in Indiana upon graduation. Students must agree in writing to apply for a teaching position in Indiana and, if hired, teach in Indiana for at least three years. To renew the scholarship for subsequent academic [...] More
When you get acceptance letters from multiple colleges, there’s nothing wrong with taking some time to celebrate. But once the mental confetti has fallen, it’s time to decide: which school do you actually want to attend?
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Did you know that there are more scholarships with deadlines in March than any other month? Now is the time to put in a little bit of your time to apply for as many scholarships as you possibly can. Of course, you are going to want to prioritize wisely, with just over a week left in the month. [...]
Most major tech companies offer scholarships for prospective or current college students. While some of those are geared toward all students, other scholarships are designed to fix the racial disparity within the tech industry. According to research from 2021, fewer than 10% of STEM employees in the workforce are African-American. The Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship aims to close the gap and encourage more Black students to major in STEM-related fields. [...]
