Navigating the Korean American Scholarship Foundation: Eligibility and Opportunities

The Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) stands as a beacon of support for Korean-American students striving for higher education. As a non-profit, volunteer-managed organization, KASF is dedicated to alleviating the financial burdens of these students, empowering them to pursue their academic aspirations. This article delves into the eligibility requirements and various facets of KASF scholarships, providing a comprehensive guide for prospective applicants.

KASF: Aiding Korean-American Students

The Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) is committed to financially assisting Korean-American students in their pursuit of higher education. The amount of the award ranges from $2,000-$5,000. The scholarship recipient is selected on the basis of financial need, academic achievement, school activities, and recommendations. This scholarship has an application deadline of early July.

General Eligibility Requirements

While specific criteria may vary slightly depending on the KASF region, several core requirements remain consistent. These overarching qualifications ensure that the scholarships reach those who align with KASF's mission.

Heritage

Applicants must demonstrate Korean heritage. This typically includes having a Korean parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent. Individuals adopted from Korea are also eligible. Students with a Korean heritage studying in the United States regardless of citizenship status (including Korean Nationals). If extra funds are available, other students (non-Korean) may qualify for some scholarships.

Enrollment

Candidates must be enrolled as full-time students. Undergraduate, graduate and high school students enrolled full time during the scholarship application year. For many regional scholarships, such as those in the Eastern and Western regions, students must be attending a school within those designated states during the full 2025-2026 school year.

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Academics

A minimum cumulative GPA is generally required. In many cases, this threshold is set at 3.0.

Financial Need

Applicants must demonstrate a need for financial assistance.

Regional Variations

KASF is organized into seven regions, each with its own specific application process. The scholarship application process is handled separately by each region. Please select the state where the school you will be attending during the scholarship year is located for the proper instructions on submitting your application. Map Instructions: Please apply only to the region where your school is located. The applications submitted to the wrong region will be disqualified. Hover over your state to identify which region you are in. Click on your state to be directed to your regional application page. AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA WA WV WI WY DC

Students may apply for more than one scholarship types; however, they can only be awarded one scholarship type.

Eastern Region

The Eastern region encompasses several states, including Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Applicants to the Eastern region scholarships must be full-time students at a school in one of these states during the 2025-2026 school year.

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Western Region

The Western region includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. For the Western region scholarships, the chosen college must be within the Western region.

Specific Scholarship Examples

While KASF offers a range of scholarships, some examples highlight the diversity of opportunities available.

KWVD Scholarship

Scholarships awarded based on achievement (not based on financial need).

WRC Application

Online applications are currently closed.

Application Information

Prospective applicants should be aware of the following information:

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Application Status