Frequently Asked Questions
These questions pertain to the APIASF Scholarship Program. If you have questions regarding the Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program, please click here.
What is APIASF?
Does APIASF have another scholarship program?
What are the requirements for the APIASF scholarship?
Where can I receive/pick-up/locate an application for an APIASF scholarship?
What is the deadline for all submissions?
Do I have to be a U.S. Citizen to receive a scholarship?
I am a graduate student. Can I apply?
I am a continuing college student. Can I apply?
I am part-Asian. Can I apply?
I am a student from Korea/Indonesia/India. Can I apply?
Are APIA students living in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands allowed to apply?
My parents are here on a special visa. Can I apply?
I have a GPA of 3.0. Would I qualify?
How do I know that my application was received?
How can I obtain more information about APIASF?
I am not a high school grad; however, I am attending a vocational school. Do I qualify?
I am still attending high school but am allowed to attend community college early; do I qualify for a scholarship?
Will APIASF allow me to purchase books, supplies (e.g., computer) with my scholarship money?
Is the scholarship award check made out to me or the school?
Could you give me some advice and support on completing the scholarship application when it is done? I speak limited English.
Are scholarships taxable?
What is APIASF?
The Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) is the nation's largest 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides scholarship to Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (APIAs) with financial need. Our mission is to make a difference in the lives of APIA students by providing them with resources that increase their access to higher education which serves as the foundation for their future success and contributions to a stronger America.
Does APIASF have another scholarship program?
APIASF also manages the Gates Millennium Scholars/Asian Pacific Islander Americans (GMS/APIA) program. Funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and administered by UNCF, the GMS/APIA program provides outstanding Pell Grant eligible APIA students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline they choose and a graduate degree in specific fields. For more information on the Gates Millennium Scholars program, please click here. All information regarding the eligibility criteria and how to obtain an application can be found there.
What are the requirements for the APIASF scholarship?
- Be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by the U.S. Census
- Be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States. Citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau are also eligible to apply
- Be enrolling in a U.S. accredited college or university as a full-time, degree-seeking, first-year student in the upcoming academic year
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted) or have earned a GED
- Must apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Where can I receive/pick-up/locate an application for an APIASF scholarship?
The APIASF Scholarship Program application must be completed online and submitted electronically once all of the required questions have been answered. You do not have to complete the online application in one sitting. Until you are ready to submit, you may access your application and edit your answers as many times as you like with your login and password from any computer with Internet access. Paper applications may be available to students who have difficulty accessing the internet. Please contact outreach@apiasf.org or 1-866-274-4677 x104.
What is the deadline for all submissions?
The deadline to submit the APIASF Scholarship Program application is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time
Do I have to be a U.S. Citizen to receive a scholarship?
You must be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States to apply. Citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau are also eligible to apply.
I am a graduate student. Can I apply?
No. At this time, APIASF only offers scholarships to first-time, degree seeking freshmen. In the future, we hope to secure financial support to offer scholarships for continuing undergraduates and graduate students.
I am a continuing college student. Can I apply?
No. At this time, APIASF only offers scholarships to first-time, degree seeking freshmen. In the future, we hope to secure financial support to offer scholarships for continuing undergraduates and graduate students.
I am part-Asian. Can I apply?
Yes, as long as you meet all other eligibility criteria.
I am a student from Korea/Indonesia/India. Can I apply?
You must be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States to apply. Citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau are also eligible to apply.
Are APIA students living in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands allowed to apply?
Yes, as long as the student also meets all other criteria.
My parents are here on a special visa. Can I apply?
You must be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States to apply. Citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau are also eligible to apply.
I have a GPA of 3.0. Would I qualify?
Yes. The eligibility requirement regarding scholastic achievement is a minimum cumulative unweighted grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, or the GED equivalent.
How do I know that my application was received?
You will receive an email notification after you submit your application.
How can I obtain more information about APIASF?
If you need additional information, please click here.
I am not a high school grad; however, I am attending a vocational school. Do I qualify?
Students that have the GED equivalent are eligible to apply as long they will be first time, degree seeking freshmen in the upcoming academic year.
I am still attending high school but am allowed to attend community college early; do I qualify for a scholarship?
APIASF scholarships are for students who are entering college in the fall as first-time degree seeking freshmen. The scholarship award can only be used towards classes starting in the fall semester. If you meet the eligibility criteria you are welcome to apply for the upcoming academic year.
Will APIASF allow me to purchase books, supplies (e.g., computer) with my scholarship money?
APIASF scholarship awards can only be used to cover the cost of attendance. This may include tuition, fees, books, supplies, living expenses, and meals. The cost of attendance is calculated differently per college. Please check with the schools you wish to attend.
Is the scholarship award check made out to me or the school?
The scholarship award check is payable and mailed directly to your institution.
Could you give me some advice and support on completing the scholarship application when it is done? I speak limited English.
APIASF encourages you to talk to your school or college counselor. We understand the difficulty that many of our communities face in learning English and take that into consideration as we review our applications.
Are scholarships taxable?
The scholarship recipient is responsible for taxes, if any, that may be assessed against your scholarship award. We recommend consulting a tax advisor or financial aid counselor for more guidance.