Scholarships & Resources for Asian American and Pacific Islander Students
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HealthcareNursingAdv NursingWhether majoring in healthcare or any other subject, the ability to obtain funding help for your education can be key. Another key is access to valuable academic and career resources. If you’re Asian or Pacific Islander and have college in your future, check out some of today’s best scholarships and resources for students in your community.
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Scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid can make college far more affordable, whether you’re seeking a certificate in medical assisting or a master’s degree in public health.
And while you should apply for as many scholarships as you realistically can, the more each scholarship is in-line with who you are and what you want to study, the better your chances of landing it.
This guide lists 20 scholarship opportunities and lots of useful college and career resources specifically for Asian and Pacific Islander students. We’ve also included five key ways to make your scholarship applications shine.
Good luck!
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Scholarships & Financial Aid for Asian American and Pacific Islander Students
There are three main types of financial aid: loans, grants, and scholarships. All three can help pay for tuition, room, board, and living expenses.
Scholarships and grants, however, come with one big advantage: You don’t have to pay them back.
While the terms “scholarship” and “grant” are sometimes used interchangeably, there are differences between the two. Grant awards, for example, are typically based on an applicant’s financial need, while scholarships are usually awarded based on some type of student achievement.
We’re focusing in this guide primarily on scholarships, starting off with the following list of 20 scholarships available to Asian American and Pacific Islander students. See if any of them fit your academic and financial needs.
General Scholarships
APIA Scholars
$2,500 (one year) – $5,000 (multi-year)
January
Eligibility
Applicant must be of Asian or Pacific Islander ethnicity, have legal status to be in the U.S., and be enrolled in a full-time program that results in a degree.
How to Apply
Complete the online application via the scholarship website. Applicants must additionally complete the FAFSA.
Asian Pacific Fund
$1,000
March
Eligibility
Applicant must be a rising freshman or current, full-time undergraduate at a two-year community college or four-year college or university with a 3.0 or higher GPA. Applicant must demonstrate financial need and they or their parent must additionally be currently or formerly employed at an Asian-owned or Asian cuisine restaurant.
How to Apply
Apply via the online application portal. Materials to submit include most recent transcripts, financial data, two letters of recommendation, current resume, and essays.
APIA Scholars
$2,500 – $20,000
January
Eligibility
Applicants must be Asian or Pacific Islander, have legal status to be in the United States, plan to enroll in an undergraduate program at a United States college, demonstrate financial need, and maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA.
How to Apply
Apply via the online application portal on the scholarship webpage. Application requirements include completion of the FAFSA and providing one letter of recommendation.
Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL)
$3,000
March
Eligibility
Applicants must have at least a 2.8 GPA and awarded an unpaid internship in the Washington, D.C. area.
How to Apply
Go to the CAPAL website and complete an application form. Provide one letter of recommendation, a transcript, and a personal statement (750 words or less).
Against the Grain Productions
$1,500
May
Eligibility
Students must be of at least 25% Asian or Pacific Islander ethnicity, possess a 3.5 or higher GPA, and show “visionary leadership through innovative means.”
How to Apply
Complete the application via the online portal on the scholarship website. Applicant will create a short video production. An interview, essay, and letters of recommendation are also required.
Medical and Health Scholarships
Asian American/Pacific Islander
Nurses Association
$500
July
Eligibility
Available to current AAPINA members pursuing undergraduate, pre-licensure, or graduate nursing programs. Must possess a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
How to Apply
Submit application via the email address provided on the scholarship webpage. Materials submitted include two letters of recommendation and a personal essay addressing the applicant’s leadership potential and commitment to serving the AAPINA.
The Denver Foundation
$500 – $1,000
February
Eligibility
Open to applicants of Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian Multiracial ethnicity who are currently enrolled in a counseling or counseling-related master’s program at an accredited U.S. college or university with a pathway to counseling certification or licensure. Must be currently completing or have completed a counseling internship or practicum.
How to Apply
Apply online via the link on the scholarship website. Materials submitted along with the application include transcripts, resume, internship/practicum syllabus, and list of all paid and unpaid counseling experiences.
American College of Healthcare Executives
$5,000
March
Eligibility
This scholarship is for minority students who are attending a healthcare management program at the graduate level (MHA, MPH, MBA in Healthcare Administration or similar) and demonstrate financial need.
How to Apply
The online application requires a resume, academic transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and an essay.
AMA Foundation
$10,000
Varies (typically in the first quarter of each year)
Eligibility
Individuals must be final-year medical students. Additional requirements vary by specific scholarship (see scholarship website).
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the OpenWater application portal.
American Medical Technologists
Varies
April
Eligibility
A high school student or current college student (or active AMT member) who intends to begin a career in a medical field eligible for a certification offered by AMT.
How to Apply
Completion of an online application form. Submitted materials include two letters of reference and a 500-word essay explaining the applicant’s career choice.
5 Keys to Scholarship Success
Since their essentially “free money” for your education, scholarships might be the most sought after form of financial aid. They’re also, however, the most highly-competitive financial aid type.
That’s why you need to make sure your scholarship application is as perfect as possible. Scholarship committees are flooded with applications, so a simple error could bump yours to the bottom of the pile or eliminated from consideration entirely.
Don’t let that happen to you!
Here are five valuable tips to help you improve your chances of landing those scholarship awards you want the most:
- Key #1: Get your application in early
It’s a given that you need to submit your application on time, but submitting it early can increase your chances of getting an award. It’s likely to your advantage to be one of the first applicants to make an impression on the selection committee. - Key #2: Look for small scholarship awards
As you might expect, the larger the scholarship award, the higher number of applicants. So, consider smaller award opportunities with less competition (i.e., a greater chance of winning.) - Key #3: Tweak, tweak, tweak
Take the time to review and rewrite your application and submitted materials (like statements of purpose and personal essays.) Remember, you want to make the best impression possible, and that can only be done with your best work. - Key #4: Don’t be afraid to ask for help
It’s to your advantage to have someone you trust (like a teacher or English major friend) help you out by reviewing your scholarship applications and – more importantly – your personal statements and essays. So, don’t be afraid to ask. - Key #5: Foster great relationships
Many scholarship applications include submitting letters of recommendation. Take the time now to cultivate the relationships you need – with teachers, employers, etc. – to get those great letters.
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College Resources for Asian American and Pacific Islander Students
Getting into the healthcare program of your choice isn’t as easy as simply applying and hoping for the best. The time to begin work toward that career begins early, with a variety of resources available specifically for those who are looking for financial and developmental help.
The following sections detail a few great places to begin the journey.
Academic & Career
- Asian American Youth Leadership Empowerment and Development (AALEAD)
Through mentoring, leadership, empowerment, and self-awareness programs, AALEAD works to help disadvantaged Asian and Pacific Islander youth succeed in school and their careers. - APIA Scholars
APIA Scholars helps Asian and Pacific Islander students find the best access to higher education. Resources include scholarships, mentoring, and leadership training. - Asian Career Network
The Asian Career Network is a hub that connects Asian job seekers and employers in one convenient online location. Their website offers a number of career resources to help Asians and Pacific Islanders make the most of the job search process.
Social & Networking
- Ascend
Through regional and national programs, Ascend works to promote professional and academic development for its membership. Resources include access to networking events and skills development programs. - National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA)
The NCAPA is a consortium of more than 30 Asian and Pacific Islander organizations, including those focused on healthcare issues. The mission of the NCAPA is to facilitate the goals of each of these organizations. - U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC)
The USPAACC is the largest non-profit professional organization representing Asian groups in a number of contexts that include business, sports, arts, education, and science.
Advocacy & Diversity
- Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO)
The goal of the AAPCHO is to improve healthcare access and provide culturally sensitive medical services for Asians and Pacific Islanders. - The Center for Asian Pacific American Women (CAPAW)
The CAPAW works to promote the interests of Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals and groups. Resources include networking and professional leadership development. - National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP)
The NAAAP serves as a prominent non-profit organization for Asian professionals and leaders. There are a number of programs and resources offered to help Asians network and accelerate their professional development.
Healthcare Education
- Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA)
The APAMSA is a national organization focused on advocating for the concerns of Asian and Pacific Islander medical students. - American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
For students seeking careers as physicians, the AMSA provides a wide range of resources, including educational opportunities that offer skills not typically taught in medical school. - National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians (NCAPIP)
The NCAPIP’s mission is to provide Asian and Pacific Islander physicians opportunities to improve the healthcare of every member of society through resources like its research leadership training program for undergraduate students. - HOSA
HOSA has the two-pronged purpose of helping students seeking a career in the healthcare industry and improving medical care access for everyone.
