JACL National Scholarship Program

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 freshmen, undergraduate, graduate, law, in the creative & performing arts, and those with financial need. All scholarships are one-time awards.

Please note: In addition to the National JACL Scholarship Program, many JACL chapters administer their own local scholarship programs.

Eligibility
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 welcome 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.

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 2026. Students deferring enrollment will not qualify for the 2026 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.