The JACL has been helping students achieve their educational dreams with the National Scholarship and Awards Program since 1946.  The program currently offers over 30 awards, with an annual total of over $70,000 in scholarships to qualified students nationwide.

The National Scholarship and Awards Program offers scholarships to students who are entering freshman, undergraduate, graduate, law, in the creative & performing arts, and those with financial need.  All scholarships are one-time awards.

Every applicant must be an active National JACL member.  JACL membership is open to everyone of any ethnic background.  All who meet the eligibility criteria are welcomed and encouraged to apply.  Note: applicants must hold an Individual or  Student/Youth Membership.  A Couple/Family membership by a parent will not meet this requirement. Join or renew your membership.

Applicants must be planning to attend full-time at a college, university, trade school, business school, or any other institution of higher learning within the United States at the undergraduate or graduate school level in the Fall of 2023.  Students deferring enrollment will not qualify for the 2023 scholarship program.

Applicants may apply under only one scholarship category.  The exception to this rule is that students may apply for consideration for financial aid awards in addition to another category.  However, a successful applicant will only receive the higher of the two awards applied for.

Entering Freshman applicants must be high school seniors.  Creative & Performing Arts applicants cannot be professional artists.

Past recipients of JACL National scholarships are limited to a total of two awards.

• freshman
• sophomore
• junior
• senior
• graduate

• US Citizen
• Permanent Resident
• International or Other Visa Status
• Undocumented

Only one application needs to be submitted to qualify for all awards listed in that same category.  Applications will be reviewed for award preferences noted in the brochure.

The following is a condensed list of supporting documents required to complete a JACL Scholarship Application:  JACL Membership; Personal Statement; Letter of Recommendation; Official Transcripts; Work Experience; recent headshot; and JACL and Community Involvement.

For additional information regarding the JACL National Scholarship Program, please contact JACL Scholarship Program Manager Matthew Weisbly at scholarships@jacl.org.