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College is expensive, and its rising costs can discourage many from pursuing a degree. This can be especially true for underrepresented groups, such as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students.
College enrollment rates can vary wildly depending on which subgroup students belong to under the broader AAPI category. For example, according to a report by The Century Foundation, 73% of East Asian students aged 18-24 enrolled in college in 2019, but the enrollment rate for Southeast Asian students was only 57%. Meanwhile, the enrollment rate for Pacific Islander students was just 27% in 2022, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Fortunately, there are a variety of Pacific Islander and Asian American scholarships to help students attend college, including the best online colleges.
The following scholarships offer many ways to reduce the cost of college for AAPI students.
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 25% Asian and/or Pacific Islander and hold U.S. citizenship. You must also have a minimum 3.5 GPA and demonstrate leadership skills.
Eligibility: Applicants must be first-generation high school students who identify as Pacific Islander and/or Asian American. You must submit proof that you’ve been accepted into a college or university and a tax return from the previous year.
Eligibility: Prism Foundation Scholarships are awarded to student activists who positively influence the Asian Pacific Islander (API) and/or LGBTQ+ communities. You must be enrolled at an accredited U.S. college or university in the upcoming academic year and have a strong history of engagement with the API and/or LGBTQ+ communities.
Eligibility: Applicants must have been born in India or have at least one parent born in India. In addition, you must hold either U.S. citizenship or a Green Card and be enrolled full time at an accredited nonprofit two- or four-year college or university. A minimum 3.6 GPA is also required.
Eligibility: Open to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students, this scholarship targets those working to influence their local communities and the broader AANHPI community. Application materials include current transcripts, a letter of recommendation, a one-page resume, and a 750-word personal statement.
Eligibility: The Asian Pacific Fund supports undergraduate and graduate students with five scholarships, including the Shui Kuen Scholarship for students or students whose parents are employed at Asian cuisine restaurants. Each scholarship features various eligibility and application requirements.
Eligibility: This scholarship is awarded to Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) students who are active in the NHPI community. To apply, you must write an 800-word entrance letter that outlines your career goals, your participation in the NHPI community, and your aspirations to influence and lead. You must also submit two recommendation letters and have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Eligibility: All majors may apply, but the scholarship committee may prefer AAPI students studying engineering, business, IT, environmental fields, or another energy-related emphasis. You must be a PG&E customer based in California to apply.
Eligibility: Korean American and international students from Korea who are enrolled full time in college can apply for these scholarships. Descendants of veterans who served in the Korean War may also be eligible. To apply, you must demonstrate both financial need and academic achievement.
Eligibility: This scholarship targets female Asian American high school seniors. To apply, you must be active in community service and extracurricular activities and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Eligible students must also reside in Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery, Chester, or Bucks counties.
Eligibility: Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholars awards various one-year and multi-year scholarships to Native Hawaiian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander students. You must be enrolled as a degree-seeking undergraduate at an accredited U.S. college or university.
Grants are gifts given to students to help cover educational costs. These gifts are awarded based on financial need and do not require you to pay them back.
Unlike scholarships, which are often awarded based on merit, grants tend to focus on assisting students from low-income backgrounds, from underrepresented groups, and who study specific subjects.
Below are some popular grants geared toward Pacific Islander and Asian American students.
Eligibility: While students of Asian descent can apply, those with Korean ancestry will receive preference for funding. You need at least a 3.5 GPA and must be an undergraduate. You must also submit a statement, a CV or resume, and 2-3 letters of recommendation.
Eligibility: Applicants must be full-time Asian American Pacific Islander college students or recent graduates. You must also be majoring in or have majored in journalism.
Eligibility: To apply, you must be a full-time Asian American Pacific Islander undergraduate. Current members of the Asian American Journalists Association are also eligible. Grant recipients must have secured a summer internship with plans to use the money toward living and travel expenses.
Eligibility: Medical students in Philadelphia may apply for this grant. Applicants must be of South Asian Indian heritage and in their second, third, or fourth year to qualify. You must also submit two reference letters and an essay.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute professional financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Readers of this website should contact a professional advisor before making decisions about financial issues.
Finding STEM programs that support AAPI students is hard, but not impossible. Discover trends, challenges, and support for AAPI students in STEM in this resource guide.
