Scholarships and Internships
Scholarships and Internships Heading link
Below are some links to scholarship, internship, and fellowship opportunities targeted to Asian American students or focused on Asian/Asian American studies. This is NOT an exhaustive list, there are MANY other scholarships, internships, and fellowships available from various agencies and organizations.
Scholarships
Against The Grain Scholarships
This production company awards scholarships to Asian American high school seniors, college undergraduates, and graduate school students.
AANAPISI Scholarship Program
This program works with Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions to provide scholarships at partner campuses.
Korean Ancestry Grants
These grants from The Dingwall Foundation are intended for Asian Americans, with a preference for those of Korean ancestry.
Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund Scholarship
For details about APIASF’s scholarship programs or to apply, visit APIASF’s Web site at www.apiasf.org
Banatao Family Filipino American Education Fund
This scholarship is for those of at least 50% Filipino heritage pursuing degrees in engineering, mathematics, computer science, environmental, or physical science.
SEED Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship is for students of Asian-Indian heritage with at least one parent of Indian ancestry.
Asian Women in Business (AWIB) Scholarship
For details on the AWIB scholarship, please visit their website.
Everett and Florence Drumright Scholarships (UIC only)
Must be a UIC undergraduate student who is American-born of Chinese descent and have a GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. Up to 10 scholarships in the amount of $1,000 are available. Students from all majors may apply. Contact the Office of International Affairs (312-996-5455), deadline is in the spring.
Japanese American Citizens League
JACL offers scholarships and fellowships for incoming and current college students. Must be a member to apply.
Korean American Scholarship Foundation
KASF offers a variety of scholarships for Korean students. Contact: Dr. Suk Hun Lee, Chair, Scholarship Committee, KASF Mid-Western Region; slee2@uic.edu.
South Asian Journalists Association Scholarship
SAJA and SAJA Group Inc offers scholarships to both undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants must be of South Asian descent OR demonstrate an interest in South Asia or the diaspora; and serious about pursuing journalism as a career.
Asian American Journalists Association Scholarship
The Chicago chapter of AAJA offers scholarship/internships each year to college students or recent graduates interested in pursuing a career in journalism. Other opportunities are available at the national level.
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
The NAPABA Law Foundation Scholarships are awarded each fall to law students who demonstrate a commitment to contribute to the Asian Pacific American community as future leaders. Deadline is September.
Best Colleges list of Scholarships for Pacific Islander Students
A collection of numerous scholarships available to students who identify as Pacific Islander.
Scholarships and Resources for Minority Graduate Students
For information on these types of scholarships, please click this link
Scholarships for which U.S. citizenship or residency is not explicitly required
For information on these types of scholarships, please click this link.
Resources for Undocumented Students
Best Colleges list of resources for Undocumented Students
U.S. scholarships for undocumented students are virtually non-existent — they are fraught with too many legal hazards for both sponsors and schools who would accept their funds. However, there are a number of organizations dedicated to helping undocumented students obtain residency and student status in the U.S.
Scholarships information for International Students
The Office of International Services (OIS) maintains a page of scholarships for international students.
For High School Seniors Only
Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund
Gates Millennium Scholars Program
U.S. Pan Asian Chamber of Commerce
Scholarships For Studying Abroad
UIC Office of International Affairs
509 University Hall,
(312) 355-3175 or afish@uic.edu.
Has various scholarships for undergraduates and graduates interested in study abroad programs in Asia.
502 University Hall
(312) 413-7662
Scholarships for all minority students
Link to list of scholarships for minorities
Link to list of scholarships for minorities in accounting
UIC Financial Aid and Scholarship Resources
UIC Scholarships
1200 West Harrison St. Suite 1800
(312) 413-1066
UIC Office of Student Financial Aid
1800 Student Services Building
(312) 996-3126
U&I Care Emergency Fund
U&I Fund Qualifications and Application Process
Temporary, short-term financial assistance to currently enrolled students who are unable to meet essential expenses due to a temporary or unexpected hardship. This emergency funding program is designed to offer financial assistance to students in the form of one-time awards (typically not exceeding $2500). Emergency funding is NOT intended to provide ongoing relief for recurring expenses. Decisions regarding disbursement of funds are made on a case-by-case basis.
Asian American Internships and Fellowships
Chicago Area
Asian American Institute Impact Fellows Program
The Impact Fellows Program is an intensive six-week summer leadership program seeking to develop young civic-minded leaders interested in working in the Asian Pacific American community in Chicago. The goal of IFP is to develop a pipeline of young leaders who will make an impact in the Asian Pacific American community by becoming aware of social issues and engaged in civic participation.
Asian American Journalists Association Scholarship/Internship
The Chicago chapter of AAJA offers scholarships/internships each year to college students interested in pursuing a career in journalism. Other opportunities are available at the national level.
Council on American-Islamic Relations
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization. The organization’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. Internships at CAIR-Chicago offer students and activists a great opportunity to learn, interact, and grow in a friendly and diverse environment.
National
Best Colleges List of Scholarships & Grants for Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders
Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS)
- APAICS offers fellowships for graduate students in a range of fields. Programs are designed for individuals who are committed to Asian Pacific Islander American communities and who plan to pursue careers in public service. Application deadline: mid February.
- Summer Internship Program in Washington , DC .
Every summer, APAICS invites college students to experience working in Congress and federal agencies. Interns will receive a total stipend of $2,500. Application deadline: end of January
The APIAVote Internship Program strives to encourage and cultivate young AAPI student leaders to explore a career in the public sector or the political arena. This internship program will also provide hands on experience and training on how to organize and implement voter activities to increase the participation of AAPIs in the electoral process.
Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership
CAPAL’s scholarships are awarded to outstanding Asian Pacific American students committed to public service and community action. CAPAL Scholars are awarded $2,000 scholarships to support their successful completion of an internship in Washington, DC.
International Leadership Foundation
ILP awards internships to help Asian Pacific American college students who will be future leaders better understand the workings of American government. Each ILF Fellow spends eight weeks during the summer working for a federal government agency in Washington, DC. See website or call 202-531-5031.
OCA Internships are in Washington DC at their National Office, Capitol Hill, federal agencies, and non-profits. Most are in the summer but there are some opportunities year-round to learn firsthand about national issues and policies that affect Asian Pacific Americans.
See website or call 202-223-5500.
An educational directory presented by the Asian American Studies Program at the University of Maryland, Japanese American Citizens League, and Organization for Chinese Americans; sponsored by State Farm.
The following scholarships are $500 awards that will be accepting applications now through July 1st:
- Scholarship for Homeschool Students
- Scholarship for First Generation Students
- Scholarship for Asian American & Pacific Islander Students
- Scholarship for Mothers
- Scholarship for Students of Color
UIC Internship and Fellowship Resources
Office of External Fellowships
601 South Morgan St., 800 UH, MC 115
(312) 355-2477
3050 Student Services Building
312-996-2300
Business Career Center (for CBA students)
1100 University Hall
312-996-2700
Engineering Career Center
818 Science and Engineering Offices
312-996-2311
Student Employment Office
3050 Student Services Building
312-996-3130