Top Asian American and Pacific Islander Scholarships in January 2026

About Asian American and Pacific Islander Scholarships

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up a diverse, vibrant group of people with backgrounds from more than 50 countries and regions, celebrating rich cultural diversity and cultural traditions.

As a growing group of college students, there is an influx of scholarship opportunities specifically geared toward the Asian-Pacific American community.

The Importance of Scholarships for Asian Americans

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students are making up an increasingly significant portion of college populations. In the fall of 2020, AAPI students made up approximately 8% of the student body at public four-year institutions.

The rising costs of tuition make it even more difficult for AAPI and other minority students to afford higher education, whether they're graduating high school seniors, seeking a Bachelor's degree, or working on a graduate degree.

As Asian American and other minority students begin to make up larger shares of student populations, it is critical that their needs are met and they have the necessary resources to attain their college education.

How to Qualify for an Asian American Scholarship

When putting in the time to apply for scholarship opportunities, it's important to make sure you're one of the qualified students who are eligible to receive the scholarship. Before spending time on your application, make sure you meet all of the eligibility requirements, such as being of Asian descent, having the minimum GPA, being in the right stage of your education, etc.

Be Included in the Asian American Community

As you may have guessed, the first step in qualifying for these scholarships is to be of Asian heritage or of the Asian-Pacific American community.

Check the Additional Requirements of Scholarships

In addition to having Asian ancestry, some scholarships have additional requirements. Certain scholarships require applicants to show academic achievement through grade point average, demonstrate financial need, or be of a certain education level.

Some scholarships are specifically open to current college students, including undergraduate students and graduate students, while others are strictly open to certain grades, such as high school seniors or college freshmen.

What Types of Scholarships Are Available for Asian American and Pacific Islander Students

There are many different scholarships available for AAPI students on Bold.org. While the award amount varies for all of the scholarship funds, there are plenty of scholarships available to help underserved students.

You can find essay-based and no-essay scholarships on Bold.org, and you can even find scholarships for your specific level of education.

How to Find Asian American and Pacific Islander Scholarships

You can find AAPI scholarships by browsing through the hundreds of open scholarships on Bold.org. To find the best-fitting scholarships for you, use the filters on the scholarship page. You can filter by education level, essay versus no-essay scholarships, or even by category to find scholarships designed for your hobbies, field of interest, or personal identity.

When to Start Applying for Scholarships

Beginning your scholarship search as early as possible is a great way to maximize your financial aid winnings. Many students begin their scholarship search as high school seniors, but you can begin at any point in high school to get ahead of the competition.

If you're already a high school graduate and haven't begun to apply yet, don't worry! Many undergraduate students are just beginning to search for scholarships, and there are plenty of opportunities for graduate students as well.

While starting your search as a graduate student reduces your opportunities to win, it's never too late to apply and take control of your college finances.

What to Consider When Applying for Asian American and Pacific Islander Scholarships

When applying for scholarships, make sure you consider the requirements of each opportunity in addition to what the scholarship donors are looking for in their scholarship recipients. Keep in mind our tips on qualifying and applying for scholarships to boost your chances of winning.

How to Apply for Scholarships

Every scholarship on Bold.org will have application directions in the description, including eligibility criteria. Suppose you're applying for a no-essay scholarship. In that case, you can quickly apply with just a few clicks, and other scholarships that require application materials, such as essays, pictures, or videos, will have prompts to direct your submission.

Tips for Winning Scholarships for Asian American and Pacific Islander Students

There are many students who demonstrate financial need and seek financial assistance through scholarships. As one of those students, it's important to do everything in your power to stand out from the competition so you can maximize your odds of winning a scholarship.

Utilize Your Profile and Bio

You can use your Bold.org profile to supplement your scholarship applications and make a lasting impression on donors. Having a detailed personal profile can highlight your unique personality while also showcasing academic achievements, interests, and goals for the future.

Apply as Early as Possible

Being among the first to apply for a scholarship can help distinguish your application when the donor begins their review. We publish an average of three new scholarship opportunities per day, and you can sign up for email or text notifications to be alerted when new scholarships are published.

Additionally, you can filter the scholarship list by date added so you can see the newest additions and get your application in as quickly as possible.

Stay Optimistic and Keep Applying

Due to the significant competition for financial aid, it may feel impossible to stand out and win at times. Don't let yourself get discouraged if you don't always win. The key to securing scholarship funds is to be persistent in your application efforts, so keep applying!

Earn as Many Bold Points as Possible

Bold.org offers a unique way to increase your chances of winning scholarships: bold points. Completing certain tasks or using suggested resources can help you earn more bold points, boosting your chances of winning.

Our Advice for Writing Winning Essays

Many of the scholarships available on Bold.org require an essay submission. Your essay is your opportunity to shine and make an impact on the donors. Follow these tips to make the most of your essay!

Note the Word Limit and Write Efficiently

Desired essay length varies for each scholarship, but most essays can only be a few hundred words long. While the short length of the essays allows for quick and easy applications, it also means you don't have a lot of space to make your mark on the donor.

Keep the word limit in mind while writing, and be sure to write efficiently and concisely so you can fit in all of the necessary information before exceeding the limit.

Stay Focused on the Prompt

In order to fit your essay into the word limit, it's critical that you stay focused on the essay topic. Make sure you're answering the question or prompt rather than veering off course. With few words to spare, you don't want to waste any on unrelated topics.

Give Your Essay a Cohesive Structure

While the short length of scholarship essays prevents you from doing too much artistry while writing, it's still important to give your essays a logical, flowing structure.

Start your essay with some type of hook, thought-provoking statement, humorous sentence, or other interesting beginning. Then, be sure to answer all aspects of the prompt.

Finally, even if you have few words to spare, give your essay a nice conclusion to wrap up the experience for the readers.

Proofread and Check Your Grammar

In addition to the tips above, carefully proofreading your essay and double-checking your grammar and diction can drastically improve the quality of your essay.

Taking the extra time to read through your essay a few times before submitting it can make all the difference!

Can Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Win Scholarships?

Due to the difficult circumstances that many minority students face, there are plenty of scholarship donors who seek to help Asian American students finance their higher education.

Whether you're a high school senior, pursuing your undergraduate degree, or in graduate school, there are Asian and Pacific Islander scholarships for you.

Looking for scholarships as a minority student? Check out these minority scholarships now!

The U.S. Pacific Islander Scholarship

The U.S. South Pacific Scholarship Program (USSP), authorized by the U.S. Congress and supported financially by the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is a scholarship program based on competitive selection and academic merit. It offers scholarships for pursuing Bachelor's and Master's degrees at the University of Hawaii, focusing on academic disciplines critical to the developmental requirements of Pacific Island countries.

The Asian Pacific Fund

The Asian Pacific Fund aims to fortify the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in the Bay Area through enhanced philanthropic efforts and by backing organizations dedicated to aiding the community's most at-risk members. Through various initiatives, the Fund supports a range of programs and services aimed at addressing community needs, including scholarships for students.

Looking for Asian American scholarships? Create a free Bold.org profile and begin applying today to maximize your scholarship awards!