May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month—a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the United States. This month embraces the legacy of trailblazers who paved the way, honors the achievements of today’s influential leaders, and uplifts the next generation as they continue to shape a brighter, more inspiring future.
Each May national institutions, organizations, museums, and agencies pay homage to the work of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. In honor of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, we have put together a jam-packed scholarship list for Asian American and Pacific Islander students looking to maximize their financial aid for college.
Note: This article provides a basic description for each of the listed scholarships. Please see the scholarship provider’s website for full application and eligibility requirements. This is a list to help you get started. This list does not include all scholarships available for Asian American students.
General Scholarships for Asian Americans
The Gates Scholarship
Description: Each year, 300 top student leaders are awarded the Gates Scholarship. This is a very competitive scholarship for exceptional, Pell-eligible, minority, high school seniors. Applicants for this scholarship must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, have a minimum GPA of 3.3 (on a 4.0 scale), and plan to enroll full-time in a four-year degree program at an accredited U.S., not-for-profit, private or public college or university. Ideal candidates will have an outstanding academic record in high school, demonstrated leadership ability, and exceptional personal success skills.
Scholarship Amount: Full cost of attendance
Who Can Apply: High school seniors identifying as African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native*, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
APIA Scholarship
Description: Founded in 2003 and having awarded over $150 million in scholarships to over 7,000 students to date, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (APIA) Scholars provides a variety of scholarships for APIA students. This generous scholarship is usually awarded to APIA students who live at or below the poverty level, are first-generation students, and have prioritized community service, leadership, and academic achievement.
Scholarship Amount: $2,500 - $20,000
Who Can Apply: Asian and/or Pacific Islander students enrolling as an undergraduate student in a U.S. accredited college or university in the fall
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
Journalism Scholarships for Asian Americans
CIC/Anna Chennault Scholarship
Description: Founder and Chairman of the Council of International Cooperation (CIC), Anne Chennault has devoted much of her career to international affairs. Specifically, the goal of the CIC is to promote better understanding between the United States, China, and Taiwan. This is no surprise, considering that CIC supports this initiative through scholarships, conferences, seminars, etc.
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Who Can Apply: Graduating high school senior accepted into a U.S. college or currently enrolled college student
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
Art Scholarships for Asian Americans
Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship
Description: The Artistic Scholarship fund was established by Against The Grain Productions in 2010 to encourage and support Asian American students pursuing degrees in the visual/performing arts. Areas in the arts include film, theatre, fashion, photography, graphic design, dance, music, journalism, mass communications, etc.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Who Can Apply: Asian American college students pursuing a major in the performing, visual arts, journalism and/or mass communications
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
#LiveLikeLyly Memorial Scholarship
Description: The #LiveLikeLily Memorial Scholarship by Against The Grain Productions was created in 2015 after Lyly Koenig Mendez, a skilled graphic designer and fashion designer, passed away due to her battle with breast cancer. During her fight against the cancer, Lyly embodied what it meant to "Go Against The Grain." The purpose of this scholarship is to financially assist and promote Asian American college students pursuing a major in fashion and/or graphic design. Applicants must be of at least 25% Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity and U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Lastly, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Who Can Apply: High school seniors or college students who are Asian and/or Pacific Islander students pursuing a major in fashion or graphic design
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
Law Scholarships for Asian Americans
Ralph Johnson Bunche Distinguished Graduate Award
Description: The first African American to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Ralph Johnson Bunche has a fellowship at Rutgers University, where he earned a doctorate in 1949 for his success as an American diplomat. For new, full-time graduate students at Rutgers Law School, this scholarship awards who have faced extreme cultural or educational disadvantages.
Scholarship Amount: $15,000 plus tuition remission
Who Can Apply: Graduate students
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
Teaching Scholarships for Asian Americans
Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program
Description: The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) provides the MTI Scholarship Program for minority students who are residents of Illinois and want to teach in the state after graduating from an Illinois institution of higher education. Program funds may be used for tuition, fees and room board, or commuter allowances, and this scholarship can be received for four academic years of full-time enrollment. Teaching in Illinois is a requirement of this scholarship.
Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000 per year
Who Can Apply: African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian American or Native American students who are residents of Illinois and desire to teach in Illinois after graduating from college
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
College-Specific Scholarships for Asian Americans
AANAPISI Scholarship
Description: Awarded by Asian and Pacific Islander Americans Scholars (AIPA), the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) Scholarship Program is available to students who are attending APIA Scholars AANAPISI partner schools. Scholarships are typically awarded to low-income, first-generation students exhibiting leadership in academics and their respective communities.
Scholarship Amount: $2,500 - $5,000
Who Can Apply: Asian and/or Pacific Islander students without a bachelor's degree enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program at an AANAPISI school
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
Li Ching Graduate Award
Description: The Li-Ching Fellowship Fund is a departmental scholarship offered by the College of Arts and Sciences, Center for Asian Studies at the University of South Carolina.
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Who Can Apply: Students majoring in Asian studies at the University of South Carolina
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
Niermeyer Foundation Scholarship
Description: The Niermeyer Foundation Scholarship offers financial assistance to students with financial need and a strong academic background. This scholarship is specifically for African-American and Asian-American students at Binghamton University.
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Who Can Apply: African-American and Asian-American students attending Binghamton University
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
Quezon Fellowship
Description: Located in Massachusetts, the Fletcher School - Tufts University is the United States' oldest graduate school dedicated to international affairs. The Quezon Fellowship is an endowed fund that supports Fletcher students from the Philippines or other ASEAN countries, or students from other world regions interesting in studying the East Asian and Pacific region.
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Who Can Apply: International graduate students looking to study the East Asian and Pacific region
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
Rashad G. Richardson "I Can Achieve" Memorial Scholarship
Description: It is not that common to have scholarships available that do not consider financial need, but the Rashad G. Richardson "I Can Achieve" Memorial Scholarship is one of those scholarships. This scholarship is open to high-achieving students from the African-American, Latino, Asian, or Native American (ALANA) communities who are involved in improving the quality of life of ALANA youth in Tompkins County, New York State.
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Who Can Apply: Undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Ithaca College in New York State
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
The William Randolph Hearst Foundation Endowed Scholarship
Description: The William Randolph Hearst Foundation Endowed Scholarship is for full-time minority undergraduates with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students, domestic or international, who have taken and completed at least 45 credit hours at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) may apply for this scholarship.
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Who Can Apply: Undergraduate minority students at SCAD with at least 45 credit hours completed at the college
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
Diversity Advancement Program Scholarship
Description: The Diversity Advancement Program Scholarship is for prospective, exceptional graduate students from underrepresented populations at Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
Scholarship Amount: $15,000 plus tuition remission
Who Can Apply: Graduate students
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
Arrupe Scholarship
Description: The Arrupe Scholarship is a scholarship available to students at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. This scholarship is a merit-based, partial-tuition scholarship for students of color with a strong academic record, a minimum SAT score of 1080 or ACT composite of 21, and a 2.95 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Who Can Apply: Incoming freshmen
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
California Scholarships for Asian Americans
Central California Asian Pacific Women (CCAPW)
Description: Central California Asian Pacific Women (CCAPW) has been empowering generations of API women in the Central Valley of California since 1980. Applicants should demonstrate leadership, academic achievement, and commitment to the API community. Also, being a first-generation student is a plus. Applicants must be entering college or continuing in a college program at a post-secondary institution (i.e. college, university, vocational programs, trade school, etc.).
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Who Can Apply: Asian and Pacific Islander (API) women originally from these California counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
San Diego Chinese Women's Association Scholarships
Description: The San Diego Chinese Women's Association (SDCWA) awards two types of scholarships every year to students of Chinese descent who attend high schools in San Diego County. One is for students going to a four-year university, and the other is for students going to a two-year community college or vocational program. Students must be of at least one-quarter Chinese descent.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000 or $1,500
Who Can Apply: Students of Chinese descent attending a high school in San Diego County
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
Other Scholarships for Asian Americans
Asian-American Architects and Engineers Association Scholarship
Description: Started in 2004, the Asian American Architects and Engineers (AAa/e) Foundation is a nonprofit committed to providing scholarships and opportunities to students pursuing careers in architecture, engineering, or construction.
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Who Can Apply: High school, undergraduate, or graduate students attending a U.S. school, college, or university, working towards a degree in architecture, engineering, or construction, and demonstrating involvement and/or service to the Asian/Pacific Islander community
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
Annual Asian Heritage High School Scholarship
Description: In an effort to encourage more Asian Americans to pursue a degree that will help them give back to the Asian community, Gabriel Cheong, with Infinity Law Group LLC, offers an annual scholarship specifically for high school seniors in Boston. On top of the application form, applicants will have to write a one to three page typed essay.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Who Can Apply: High school seniors in Boston who will be attending an accredited four-year college/university
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
AICPA Scholarship Award for Minority Accounting Students
Description: The AICPA Scholarship Award for Minority Accounting Students supports full-time minority students pursuing a degree in accounting or an accounting-related major. This scholarship is available for undergraduate and graduate students. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency AND a minimum GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) are required.
Scholarship Amount: $3,000 - $5,000
Who Can Apply: Full-time minority undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in accounting or an accounting-related major
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
Spectrum Scholarship Program
Description: The American Library Association (ALA) offers the Spectrum Scholarship Program to students to attend an ALA-accredited graduate program in library and information studies or an AASL-recognized School Library Media Program. Citizenship or permanent residency of the U.S. or Canada is required. Students may be enrolled full-time or part-time for this scholarship; however, students must maintain a minimum course load of two classes per semester while on scholarship.
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Who Can Apply: Students who identify as American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern/North African, and/or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander AND attend an ALA-accredited graduate program in library and information studies or an AASL-recognized School Library Media Program
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship
Description: Students who are members of any of the following ethnic/racial groups are encouraged to apply for the Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship: African American, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian or Pacific Islander, or Hispanic. The purpose of the Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship is to assist academically competitive students in Kansas planning to enroll at a Kansas college or university. Financial need is a major component in determining scholarship recipients.
Scholarship Amount: Up to $1,850 annually
Who Can Apply: Kansas students graduating from high school and enrolling at a Kansas college or university
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
