JACL National Scholarship Program

# JACL National Scholarship Program The Japanese American Citizens League, the country's oldest Asian American civil rights organization, runs a National Scholarship and Awards Program that gives out more than 30 awards each year totaling over $70,000. The program has a dedicated Entering Freshman category for graduating high school seniors, alongside undergraduate, graduate, law, creative and performing arts, and financial-need categories. Because scholarships are tied to JACL membership rather than ethnicity - membership is explicitly open to everyone of any ethnic background - the applicant pool is far narrower than for open national awards. ## What You'll Do - Join JACL with an Individual or Student/Youth membership before applying; every applicant must be an active National JACL member - Download the Entering Freshman application when it becomes available on the JACL National website in December - Assemble the packet: proof of JACL membership, a personal statement, a letter of recommendation, official transcripts, work experience, a recent headshot, and a record of JACL and community involvement - Submit by the Entering Freshman deadline in early March - earlier than the deadline for all other categories ## Who Should Apply High school seniors entering college in the fall who hold an active JACL membership. Students interested in Japanese American history, Asian American civil rights, or community service will find the community-involvement section of the application a natural fit. ## Outcomes Recipients receive scholarship funds toward their first year of college and recognition within a national civil rights organization with district and chapter networks across the country.