Scholarships for Asian Women

When it comes time to head to off to university, money can be a major issue. Finding the right scholarship or grant will do wonders toward alleviating the financial load.

Navigating the maze of available scholarships can be a real headache. Not only is it difficult to find out what scholarships are available, finding out exactly what scholarships will cover also takes some hunting. Some scholarships only partly cover educational costs, while others may cover everything including books and boarding. Careful research is necessary to sort out what awards will best suite the applicant.

For Asian women, the following list of available opportunities may be a valuable resource when it is time to apply for funding.

Scholarships Specifically for Women

The items in this section are only available to women, with some being available exclusively to women of Asian descent.

American Association of University Women (AAUW) Fellowships

AAUW fellowships are offered to support women seeking to complete doctoral dissertations, postdoctoral research, and research for publication. AAUW has provided more than $83 million to recipients since its founding. Candidates are selected based on commitment to women’s issues and past academic achievement.

Eligibility

• Female
• U.S. citizen
• Pursuing graduate work
• Outstanding academic achievement

For more information, please visit AAUW.org

The Asian Women In Business Scholarship

This scholarship was established to further the educational goals of Asian female students showing scholarship, leadership, community service and/ or entrepreneurship. Scholarships are awarded to students who have the attributes to be the “next generation of leaders.”

Eligibility

• Female of Asian or Pacific Islander descent
• Record of entrepreneurial achievement or a leadership role in a community endeavor
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Full-time enrollment in an accredited four-year undergraduate institution
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident

More information on this scholarship may be found at Awib.Org

Fellowship on Women and Public Policy

This fellowship program aims to make government in New York state more aware and responsive to the needs of women, children, families. The fellowship offers placement in nonprofit advocacy organizations and the Legislature to inspire graduate students to undertake careers in the public service arena.

The fellowship offers a $9,000 stipend and tuition assistance for academic coursework.

Eligibility

• Enrollment and acceptance to a graduate program at an accredited college or university in New York State
• Completion of 12 graduate credits prior to application
• Demonstrated interest in studies, research, employment, or voluntary activities designed to improve the status of women and underrepresented populations

To find more information about this fellowship, go to Albany.Edu

Central California Asian Pacific Women Scholarship

The purpose of this award is to provide financial assistance to Asian and Pacific Islander women who have shown outstanding achievement. Any area of academic pursuit may be considered for this scholarship.

Eligibility

• Female Asian or Pacific Islander
• Resident of Central California
• Enrollment in an undergraduate college or university
• Financial need
• Extracurricular achievement

For more information on this scholarship, visit CCapw.Org

Scholarships for People of Asian Descent

The scholarships in the section are open to anyone with Asian ancestry, male or female.

Helen and L.S. Wong Memorial Scholarship

There are four awards given yearly in amounts of $1,000 to $3,000. The scholarship is renewable for up to four-years and is available to incoming freshman enrolling full-time in an accredited four-year university or a community college.

Eligibility

• Minimum 2.8 GPA
• Graduate of a Fairfield-Suisun community high schools
• Financial need
• At least 50% Asian heritage
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency

For more information, visit AsianPacificFund.Org

Chi Am Circle Scholarship for High School Students

As a women’s organization situated in Santa Monica, Chi Am Circle encourages cultural and educational projects for the Asian community. Scholarships are awarded to Asian high school seniors graduating from Santa Clara County. Applicants must show commitment and service to the community as well as high academic promise. Scholarships begin at $1,000 and are awarded based on merit, financial need, and extracurricular activities.

Eligibility

• Asian descent
• Graduate of Santa Clara County high schools
• Resident of Santa Clara County, California
• Minimum 3.0 GPA

Find more information at Chiamcircle.Org

Queer Asian and Pacific Islander Pride Scholarship Fund

According to John Manzon-Santos, the executive director of the fund, “The goal of this landmark scholarship program is to help eradicate the isolation, invisibility, homophobia, and heterosexism faced by thousands of Asian and Pacific Islander lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth living in the Bay Area and beyond.”

Eligibility

• Age 22 and younger
• Asian or Pacific Islander descent
• Identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning
• Resident of San Francisco Bay Area
• High school senior, hold a high school diploma or GED, or currently attending a college of university
• Financial need

For more details about this scholarship, please visit API Wellness

Lim, Ruger, and Kim Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2004 by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). This scholarship is only for law degree candidates attending an American Bar Association (ABA) or Association of American Law Schools (AALS) accredited university.

Eligibility

• Financial Need
• Commitment to the Asian Pacific American community
• Dedication and interest in pro bono legal work
• Leadership potential
• Maturity and responsibility

Find more about this scholarship at Napaba.Org

The Tang Scholarship

Established in 2007 by Edward C. Tang to give financial assistance to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Asians and Pacific Islanders, this scholarship gives up to two awards annually for a total of $15,000. The scholarship is renewable for up to four-years.

Eligibility

• Asian or Pacific Islander
• Self-identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender
• Graduate of a high school in one of the following Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Napa, Solano, or Sonoma
• Full-time enrollment in an accredited two or four-year university or graduate school
• Financial hardship
• Academic promise
• Minimum 3.0 GPA for all schools attended
• Aged 17 to 25
• U.S. citizenship or legal residency

More information on this scholarship can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/tangscholarship/

Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is award to Asian and Pacific Islander Americans based on financial need.

Eligibility

• Asian or Pacific Islander ethnicity
• Citizen of legal permanent resident of the U.S. Citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and the The Republic of Palau are also eligible.
• Enrollment in an accredited U.S. college for the Fall semester
• Minimum cumulative 2.7 GPA
• Applying for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

For more information, visit Apiasf.Org

Asian Pacific Islander Organization Scholarships

The Asian Pacific Islander Organization (APIO) began in 1998 and was created to assist the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service. APIO promotes the idea that Asian Pacific Americans should play a vital role in conservation and agricultural management. Three scholarships in the amounts of $1000, $1500, and $2000 are awarded to deserving Asian or Pacific Islander students.

Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, career goals, personal strengths, leadership abilities, and work experience.

Eligibility

• Enrollment in an accredited two or four-year institution
• Undergraduate or graduate student with the equivalent of at least 15 semester hours towards a degree in one of the following natural resource fields: Agricultural Business, Agronomy, Biology, Botany, Environmental Science, Forestry, Geology, Horticulture, Plant Science, Rangeland Science, Soil Science, or Agricultural, Civil, or Environmental Engineering, and other related fields of study
• Asian or Pacific Islander
• U.S. citizenship

To find more information on this scholarship, go to Apio.Org

Scholarships for People of Asian Pacific Descent

Scholarships in this section are specifically for people with Asian Pacific parentage.

Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA) Scholarships

The APAPA Community Education Foundation provides multiple scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each to selected students for the coming academic year. The Foundation is committed to the advancement of the Asian and Pacific Islander community and raises awareness through education and community outreach.

Eligibility

• California resident of 18 years old or older
• U.S. citizenship or permanent legal resident
• Minimum 2.75 GPA
• Commitment to the Asian Pacific Islander community

Find more information on this scholarship at Apapa.Org

Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) Scholarship Program

CAPAL scholarships were created to allow aspiring students with leadership potential to pursue public service internships in Washington, DC, while learning how to influence policy decisions that will affect their communities.
CAPAL awards two SunTrust Scholarships, which include a $3,000 stipend and $1,000 housing/travel stipend. The SunTrust is awarded with preference given to students with financial need. CAPAL also awards one Asha Jaina Scholarship which offers a $2,000 stipend.

Eligibility

• Asian Pacific descent
• American citizen
• Undergraduate or graduate student working a full-time summer internship in the public sector in the Washington, D.C metropolitan area

To learn more, visit Capal.Org

The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program

The GMS award began in 1999 with a grant of $1 billion from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Foundation promotes academic excellence and opportunity for minority students with significant financial need.

Eligibility

• Community service
• Asian Pacific Island descent
• Academic achievement
• Financial need
• Pursuing a degree in one of the following fields: mathematics, science, engineering, education, or library science

Find more about this program at Gmsp.Org

Anheuser-Busch National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Law Foundation Presidential Scholarships

Anheuser-Busch NAPABA Law Foundation awards two scholarships of $7,500 to law students who show leadership potential and a dedication to serving the Asian Pacific American community. The Foundation considers factors including, but not limited to, the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to and interest in pro bono, public interest and public service legal work. Applicants are also considered based upon financial need.

Eligibility

• Pursuing a Juris Doctor degree in an accredited U.S. law school
• Financial need
• Demonstrate outstanding leadership potential
• Commitment to the Asian Pacific American community

For more information about this scholarship, go to Napaba.Org

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Asian Scholarships

Since 1985, local chapters of RMHC have offered scholarships for students facing limited access to educational and career opportunities. After broadening the sphere of their program in 2001, RMHC began offering an Asian scholarship and has since given over $19 million to help students attend college.

Eligibility

• Current high school senior
• At least one parent of Asian Pacific heritage
• Resident within one of the following California counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, or Ventura; OR resident in one of the following Alabama counties: Jackson or Chattanooga

To find out more, please visit rmhc.org/what-we-do/rmhc-u-s-scholarships/

Scholarships for People of South Asian or Indian Descent

Items in this section will only be awarded to people with Indian or South Asian parentage.

Upakar Foundation Scholarships

Each year, the Upakar Foundation awards 20 scholarships to college bound Indian American students for a total of more than $40,000. The scholarships are given based on academic excellence and financial need.

Eligibility

• Have been born or have one parent born in the Republic of India
• U.S. citizen or Green Card holder
• Seeking enrollment in an undergraduate four-year degree program at a U.S. college or university
• Have a Family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) on IRS form 1040, 1040EZ, or 1040A of less than $75,000 for the previous tax year
• Cumulative 3.6 GPA or higher
• Current high school senior in the U.S.

To find out more about the scholarships Upakar Foundation offers, visit their website at www.upakarfoundation.org/scholarships

SEED Foundation Scholarship

The SEED Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1998 to provide scholarship opportunities for Indian high school students. Since its inception, SEED has provided over $185,000 for continuing education. SEED currently offers two $10,000 scholarships to college bound high school seniors.

Eligibility

• Indian heritage with at least one parent born in India
• Graduating U.S. high school senior
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Enrollment in a full-time undergraduate program at a U.S. university for the Fall semester

More information can be found at wwwseedfoundation.org/scholarship.html

Endowment for South Asian Students of Indian Descent Scholarship Fund

This award was established in 2002 and offers a $2,000 scholarship for an South Asian or Indian student pursuing a career in medicine at a Pennsylvania university.
One of the founders of the scholarship, Dr. Jitendra Desai says, “It is our wish to help other medical students of Indian heritage realize their dreams of becoming a physician.”

Eligibility

• South Asian Indian descent
• Resident of Pennsylvania for at least 12 months before registering as a medical student
• Full-time enrollment in an accredited Pennsylvania medical school
• Completed FAFSA

For more information about this scholarship, visit www.foundationpamedsoc.org

Scholarships for People of Filipino Heritage

The programs in this section are specifically geared toward people of Filipino descent.

Banatao Family Filipino American Education (BFFAE) Fund College Scholarship

The BFFAE Fund offers five renewable awards for people of Filipino origin. The annual scholarship award is $5,000 for a total of $20,000.

Eligibility

• Incoming freshman enrolled full-time at an accredited four-year-college or university
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Pursuing a career in engineering, physical or biological sciences
• Filipino descent
• Financial need
• Resident of one of the following California counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Los Angeles, Orange, or San Diego.

For more information, visit www.asianpacificfund.org

Maria Elena Yuchengco Memorial Journalism Scholarship

This scholarship was established in honor of Maria Elena Yuchengco, one of the founders of Filipinas Magazine. There are three awards given in amounts of $1,000 to $3,000 for students wishing to pursue a career in journalism.

Eligibility

• Incoming freshman or current, full-time undergraduate at an accredited four-year college or university
• Filipino descent
• Financial need
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
• Resident of the San Francisco Bay area
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Pursuing a career in journalism

Visit www.asianpacificfund.org for more information.

Philippine International Aid-Wells Fargo Scholarship

Offered in conjunction with Wells Fargo, this scholarship provides three renewable awards in the amount of $1,500.

Eligibility

• Filipino descent
• Incoming freshman at an accredited California four-year college or university
• Minimum 2.75 GPA
• U.S citizenship or permanent residency
• Resident of the San Francisco Bay area
• Financial need

To find out more, go to www.asianpacificfund.org

Scholarships for People of Chinese Heritage

The scholarships included in this section are for people of Chinese descent.

San Diego Chinese Women’s Association Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to outstanding students graduating from a San Diego high school. The Association offers a $1,500 scholarship for students attending a four-year university and a $500 scholarship for those attending a two-year community or vocational college.

Eligibility

• At least one-quarter Chinese descent
• Enrollment in a four-year university or two-year community or vocational college
• Minimum 3.0 GPA

Visit sdcwa.net/scholarships/ to find out more about this scholarship.

Jack and Jeanette Chu Scholarship

Offering two renewable awards in amounts from $2,500 to $5,000, the Jack and Jeanette Chu Scholarship is available to incoming juniors majoring in Business Administration at UC Berkeley.

Eligibility

• Chinese heritage
• Financial need
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Record of community service
• Pursuing a career in business
• Enrollment or transfer into UC Berkeley as a junior

More information can be found at www.asianpacificfund.org

Hsiao Memorial Economics Scholarship

Named for Liang-Lin Hsiao who was an Indiana State University Economics professor, this scholarship dedicated to his memory awards $1,000 to an eligible student pursuing a degree in Economics. Applicants researching topics that benefit Asians and Asian Americans will be given preference.

Eligibility

• Chinese descent
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Graduate student at a U.S. college or university
• Pursuing an Economics degree
• Financial need

For more information, visit www.asianpacificfund.org

Scholarships for People of Japanese Descent

The scholarships in this section are not limited to people of only Japanese descent, but they do give preference to people showing a commitment to the Japanese American community.

Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Scholarships

The JACL offers 30 awards annually totally more than $70,000. Scholarships are available for students from freshman to graduate level and also include scholarships for law and the arts. All scholarships are one-time awards.

Eligibility

• Active JACL member
• Enrolling in full-time college, university, trade school, business school, or any other institution of higher learning within the U.S. at the undergraduate or graduate level

For more information about specific JACL scholarships, please visit www.jacl.org/edu/scholar.htm

Japanese American Bar Association (JABA) Scholarships

JABA offers a number of $2,000 scholarships. The awards were established in honor of Japanese Americans influential in the field of law, including Judge Edward Y. Kakita who was JABA’s first president in 1976. Scholarships are given to Law students who show commitment toe the Japanese American community.

Eligibility

• Commitment and service to the Japanese American community
• Financial need
• Academic achievement
• Desire to practice law in Southern California

Please visit www.jabaonline.org/scholarships.html to find out more about these scholarships.

Scholarships for Minorities

This section contains scholarships available to people from minority or under-represented populations.

Ohio Newspapers Foundation Minority Scholarship

For Ohio students wishing to major in journalism, this scholarship awards $1,500 to the successful applicant. The scholarship requires an autobiography of 750 to 1,000 words.

Eligibility

• African American, Hispanic, Asian American, or American Indian heritage
• Minimum 2.5 GPA
• Enrollment in an Ohio college or university
• Majoring in Journalism

For more information, visit www.ohionews.org/foundation/scholarships/

Lauren C. Poon, M.D. Scholarship Fund

This $1,000 was set up in memory of its namesake and will be awarded to a graduate of an Alameda county high school looking to study a career in medicine, public health, or allied health.

Eligibility

• Any ethnic background
• Minimum 3.5 GPA
• Financial need
• Community service
• Enrollment in a full-time four-year college or university
• Graduate of an Alameda county high school
• Pursuing a career in medicine, public health, or allied health

More information about this scholarship is available from www.asianpacificfund.org

CANFIT Scholarships

CANFIT provides undergraduate and graduate scholarships for applicants wishing to embark on careers that will improve adolescent nutrition and fitness. Scholarships are available to California students demonstrating financial need and plans to study nutrition, physical education, or culinary arts in the state of California.

Eligibility

• Resident of California
• African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, Pacific Islander, or Latino/Hispanic descent
• Financial need
• Enrollment in an accredited California university
• Undergraduate applicants must have completed 50 semester units for college credit
• Minimum 2.5 GPA for undergraduate applicants
• Graduate applicants must have completed 12-15 units of graduate coursework
• Minimum 3.0 GPA for graduate applicants

Please visit canfit.org/scholarships to find out more about these programs.

Lionel C. Barrow Minority Doctoral Scholarship

Established in honor of Dr. Lionel Barrow of Howard University, this award is given to Ph.D. candidates enrolled in journalism or mass communication programs and is designed to help doctoral students complete doctoral research and studies.

Eligibility

• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
• Enrollment in a Ph.D. program in journalism or mass communication
• African American, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, or Alaskan Native descent

For more information, go to www.aejmc.org/home/2012/03/barrow-scholarship/

Surety Industry Scholarship Program for Minority Students

The Surety Industry Scholarship Program supports minority students studying in the areas of risk management, insurance, accounting, business, or finance. The award is in the amount of $2,500 and was established to promote minority considerations in surety underwriting and the surety industry.

Eligibility

• Black, Native American, Alaskan Native, Asian, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic ethnic origin
• Majoring in insurance/risk management, accounting, or business/finance
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Enrolled full-time as an undergraduate at an accredited four-year institution

More information on this scholarship can be found via www.surety.org/

Lagrant Foundation Scholarships

The Lagrant Foundation awards a total of 20 graduate and undergraduate scholarships to people attaining degrees in the fields of advertising, public relations, or marketing. Scholarships are awarded in the amount of $5,000 for undergraduates and $10,000 for graduates. Successful applicants also receive a trip to Washington, D.C. to engage in career building activities.

Eligibility

• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
• African American, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, or Alaskan Native descent
• Enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university
• Majoring in a field of study with an emphasis on public relations, marketing, or advertising.
• Minimum 2.75 GPA for undergraduates
• Minimum 3.2 GPA for graduate students

Visit www.lagrantfoundation.org for more information about these scholarships.

American Sociological Association (ASA) Minority Fellowship Program

The ASA fosters development and education of minorities in the field of sociology. Primarily geared toward students entering or in the preliminary stages of sociology graduate programs, Minority Fellowship applicants must be applying to or enrolled in departments which have strong mental health research programs and faculty who are engaged in mental health research.

Eligibility

• Commitment to research in mental health and mental illness
• Financial need
• Black, Latino, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander ethnicity
• U.S. citizenship or permanent legal residence

More in-depth information about this fellowship is available through www.asanet.org/funding/mfp.cfm