APIA Scholars Scholarship

AAPI high school seniors heading to college and current undergraduates in associate or bachelor's programs, especially those from low-income households or the first in their family to go to college.

• Must be of Asian or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by the U.S. Census
• U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident, including citizens of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau
• Enrolling or continuing as a degree-seeking undergraduate at a U.S. accredited college or university in the coming fall
• Full-time and part-time students pursuing associate or bachelor's degrees are both eligible
• Students who already hold a bachelor's degree or higher are not eligible

• One-year awards of $2,500 or multi-year awards up to $20,000
• Membership in the APIA Scholars alumni community
• Access to APIA Scholars career development and relief fund programs

• Online application through the APIA Scholars portal
• Documentation of financial need
• Academic records
• Review the official Application Guide and Tips page and FAQ before submitting, since required items are listed there each cycle

• Do not skip the financial need section or leave it vague. APIA Scholars states plainly that selection prioritizes students living at or below the poverty line and first-generation students.
• The deadline is 5pm EST, not midnight. Plan to submit a day early.
• AAPI is a very broad category and the awards are not concentrated in one community. Apply even if you assume the scholarship is meant for someone else.
• Multi-year awards exist alongside one-year awards, so a single application can be worth far more than $2,500.
• Read the Application Guide and Tips page on the APIA site the week the application opens; requirements are refreshed each cycle.

APIA Scholars states that its selection process prioritizes students who demonstrate significant financial need, live at or below the poverty line, and are first-generation college students. The organization also runs Scholar Relief Funds and a Career Development Fund for its scholars.