Scholarships For Asian And Pacific Islander Students
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Updated on July 9, 2025
Key Takeaways
Asian and Pacific Islander students can apply for numerous scholarships throughout the year, including identity- and region-specific awards from organizations like the Asian Pacific Fund and the Prism Foundation.
Eligibility for API scholarships may include proof of heritage, a minimum GPA, demonstrated financial need, or leadership experience.
AANAPISI-designated institutions and advocacy groups like the APAPA and NAPIC can offer grants, mentorship opportunities, and professional development resources for API students.
This list highlights various scholarships for Asian and Pacific Islander students with eligibility, award amount, and deadline information. Some Asian student scholarships serve applicants of specific backgrounds or geographic locations. View our financial aid and scholarship guide for more generalized advice and information on scholarships.
Asian Pacific Fund Scholarships
The Asian Pacific Fund supports San Francisco Bay Area Asian and Pacific Islander students through grants and services, scholarship programs, and leadership opportunities. Along with financial support, the Asian Pacific Fund hosts an annual gala and the Asian and Pacific Islander Summit.
Awarding $5,000 annually for four years, the scholarship serves incoming freshmen at California four-year schools. First-generation Asian Americans residing in certain counties qualify. The scholarship deadline is March 12, 2021.
The scholarship awards $5,000 annually for four years to incoming first-year college students. Candidates must enroll in a four-year program in engineering; mathematics; or computer, environmental, or physical science. Applicants with at least 50% Filipino heritage qualify.
The scholarship serves incoming Asian and Pacific Islander first-year learners studying engineering, computer science, physical science, or environmental science. The scholarship awards $2,000-$3,000 to 2-3 applicants each year. Applicants must hold a minimum 2.8 GPA and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship deadline is March 26, 2021.
The scholarship awards $1,000 to two students annually. Incoming first-year students at two- or four-year schools qualify if they or their parents work at an Asian-owned or Asian cuisine restaurant. The scholarship deadline is March 12, 2021.
The scholarship awards $5,000 to two students majoring in accounting, political science, public policy, business administration, or a related field. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors at four-year colleges qualify. Applicants must possess at least 50% Asian heritage. The scholarship deadline is April 9, 2021.
Open to graduate students in social science or economics programs, the scholarship awards $1,000 to one student annually. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, with preference given to those researching topics that benefit Asian communities in need. The scholarship application deadline is May 17, 2021.
Awarding $1,000 annually for up to four years, the scholarship serves incoming University of California first-year students, with preference given to UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz students. Farm workers or their children qualify. The scholarship deadline is April 30, 2021.
The fellowship serves Yale University undergraduate and graduate students. Fellows receive $3,000 and intern for 10 weeks at a nonprofit organization serving the Asian community. The fellowship deadline is March 26, 2021.
A community foundation based in Michigan, the Grand Rapids Community Fund (GRCF) serves students throughout Kent County and western Michigan. The fund provides grants and scholarships for Asian and Pacific Islander students to overcome racial, economic, and social inequalities. GRCF offers financial support to both nonprofits and individual students statewide.
Serving law students in Michigan, the scholarship awards $5,000 to one student each year. Applicants must permanently reside in Michigan, demonstrate financial need, and hold a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Serving Kent County students of color, the scholarship offers funding to fine arts majors at any public or private West Michigan college. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and hold a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Serving LGBTQ+ Asian and Pacific Islanders and allies, the scholarship offers funding to students attending two-year, four-year, and vocational or trade schools. Applicants must demonstrate a strong history of work and social impact within the LGBTQ+ and Asian and Pacific Islander communities.
Baltimore-based I Am O-Kah! offers these $1,000 scholarships for Asian and Pacific Islander students to Morgan State University first-generation students. Applicants must major in communications or possess Caribbean ancestry. The scholarship committee considers financial need and academic achievement.
The award offers financial support to students attending any accredited four-year institution. Applicants must submit proof of financial need and a record of academic achievement. Submission requires a 250-word essay reflecting on King’s philosophies and their relation to applicants’ academic and personal lives.
TLF offers these $2,500 undergraduate scholarships for Asian and Pacific Islander students in advertising, public relations, marketing, or related programs. Minority students enrolled full time in a four-year degree qualify.
For graduate students, TLF offers these $3,750 scholarships for Asian and Pacific Islander students at the master’s and Ph.D. level. Enrollees with at least one year of study remaining in a program related to advertising, public relations, or marketing qualify.
Awarding up to $90,000 for two years of graduate study, the prestigious fellowship supports immigrants or their children. Fellowship recipients must attend an annual fall conference held in New York City, with all travel expenses paid.
The APIA Scholarship Program offers various scholarships for Asian and Pacific Islander students, ranging in value from $2,500-$20,000. Applicants with Asian and/or Pacific Islander heritage qualify. Most awards focus on serving first-generation or low-income students, and learners with a proven record of community engagement and service.
ASA offers this generous fellowship to students of color pursuing doctoral degrees in any area of sociology. Fellows receive an annual stipend of $18,000, along with unique mentorship opportunities. Other benefits include some paid travel to sociology conferences and professional development workshops.
FTE offers this year-long fellowship for minority students pursuing doctoral programs in biblical, religious, or theological studies. Applicants must start the dissertation stage of their doctorate by the beginning of the fellowship, with all program coursework completed.
New York Women in Communications offers the scholarship and internship to college juniors studying communications or a related field. Available only to minority students, the award includes a paid internship at a New York City communications firm, including top advertising and PR firms.
The American Association of School Personnel Administrators offers these $3,500 scholarships for Asian students planning to enter teaching and school leadership positions. Only students in their final year of an education program and seeking initial teaching certification or endorsement may apply. The scholarship deadline is May 31, 2021.
The United Methodist Church offers these $2,500 scholarships for Asian students enrolled in journalism or communications programs. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to the United Methodist Church, journalistic experience, and talent. They must hold junior or senior status at accredited institutions. The scholarship deadline is March 15 of each year.
The American Library Association offers this $5,000 scholarship to minority students pursuing a master of library science degree. Applicants must provide academic transcripts and three professional references. Recipients must take at least two courses per semester to maintain eligibility.
The Government Finance Officers Association offers these $10,000 scholarships for Asian and Pacific Islander students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs. Candidates must major in public administration, finance, accounting, political science, business administration, economics, or related fields. Applicants must plan to pursue a career in state or local government finance upon graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Scholarships for Asian Students
What does it mean to be Asian American or Pacific Islander?
Asians and Pacific Islanders to include people of Asian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander ancestry are those who trace their heritage to the following regions:
Hawai’i and the Pacific Islands
All of Asia, consisting of: East Asia (including China, Japan, Korea, and more), Central Asia (including Afghanistan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and more), South Asia (including the Philippines, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, and more), South Asia (including India, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and more).
It also includes West Asia which is typically referred to as the Middle East. This includes countries like Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and more.
Will I need to verify my ancestry? How can I do that?
Some scholarships ask applicants to prove their ethnic heritage, often through a birth certificate or other proof of ancestry. Pay close attention to scholarship requirements to determine their standards for qualification.
What can I do to make my application as strong as possible?
Always follow all instructions and try to understand what type of applicants a scholarship committee seeks. Check out our scholarship guide for more detailed application tips.
When should I apply for scholarships?
Scholarships often run quarterly, with multiple application deadlines throughout the year. Always check to make sure scholarships distribute their funds before the start of your desired academic semester.
How many scholarships should I apply for?
Only apply to as many scholarships as you can reasonably submit top quality applications for. If scholarship applications stress you out, check out our guides to balancing student stress and sleeping for college students and teens.
Developed in 2007, the AANAPISI program assists academic institutions with providing for their Asian and Pacific Islander students. Schools meeting the necessary requirements may qualify to receive grant funding for improving student services, purchasing necessary class materials, or refurbishing campus buildings.
With chapters nationwide, the APAPA provides professional development and community service programs to Asian and Pacific Islander Students. Participants will join a strong community of learners working to facilitate a more diverse and inclusive country.
A nonprofit group dedicated to ensuring educational inclusiveness, NAPIC gives Asian and Pacific Islander students the opportunity to network with one another. NAPIC works to coordinate with other API community groups to further professional development for Asian and Pacific Islander students.
The Asian Pacific Islander SIG works to address often unrecognized issues in the API community. As part of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, this SIG provides resources for Asian and Pacific Islander professionals working in a college setting.
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