Midwestern Regional Chapter Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Korean American Scholarship Foundation
Description
Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) is a volunteer-run nonprofit that provides financial support to Korean-American students pursuing higher education. The foundation focuses on reducing economic barriers to academic progress and promoting leadership within the community. KASF offers regional scholarships through independently operated chapters while coordinating national policies and standards.
Key takeaways
- Volunteer-managed nonprofit focused on higher-education support for Korean-American students.
- Regional chapters administer scholarships under a single national framework.
- Emphasis on financial assistance, leadership development, and cultural pride.
Purpose and mission
KASF has three core objectives that guide its programs and awards: help Korean-American students achieve academically and personally, promote community and civic service as part of leadership development, and foster pride in Korean heritage and tradition. These goals shape selection criteria, outreach, and the types of programs the foundation supports. The foundation also makes special awards, when funds permit, for descendants of Korean War veterans.
Key takeaways
- Assist academic and personal achievement for Korean-American students.
- Encourage community and civic engagement as leadership training.
- Preserve and promote Korean cultural heritage; special veteran-descendant awards when funding allows.
Organization and funding
KASF is run by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by chapter volunteers and donors. Operating expenses are covered through membership dues and local fundraising; many board members also contribute scholarship funds personally. Each regional chapter raises funds and manages programs locally, while following the national bylaws.
Key takeaways
- Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and chapter volunteers.
- Operating costs paid from membership dues and local fundraising.
- Board members frequently serve as scholarship donors in addition to volunteers.
History of the foundation
KASF began in Washington, D.C. in 1969 as a local community effort to assist Korean-American students. As Korean immigrant communities expanded, the organization grew nationally and formally became a national entity in 1989. Today KASF is headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area and has seven regional chapters across the U.S.
Key takeaways
- Founded in 1969 in Washington, D.C.
- Expanded to a national organization in 1989.
- Seven regional chapters operate across major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Regional chapters and coverage
KASF maintains regional chapters that operate independently to raise funds and award scholarships while adhering to national bylaws. Current chapters are located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, and Denver. Each chapter defines its local fundraising and program schedules and awards.
Key takeaways
- Chapters: Washington D.C. metro, Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Denver.
- Chapters run local fundraising, programs, and scholarship selection.
- All chapters operate under a single national set of bylaws.
Eligibility (general KASF scholarships)
KASF’s general scholarship eligibility focuses on heritage, enrollment, academic standing, and demonstrated financial need for the targeted region and academic year. Applicants must have Korean heritage and be or plan to be full-time students in the specified region during the full 2026–2027 school year. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required, and applicants must be able to demonstrate financial need.
Key takeaways
- Must have Korean heritage (parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or be adopted from Korea).
- Full-time enrollment required for the entire 2026–2027 school year in the designated region.
- Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0; applicants must show financial need.
Midwestern region coverage (enrollment requirement)
For scholarships designated to the Midwestern region, eligible students must attend a school in one of these states for the full 2026–2027 school year: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. This geographic requirement is applied at the chapter or regional award level. Verify your chapter’s territorial coverage before applying.
Key takeaways
- Midwestern-eligible states: IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, ND, OH, SD, WI.
- Must attend school in one of these states for the full 2026–2027 academic year.
- Confirm chapter-specific territorial rules before submitting an application.
KWVD Scholarship and criteria
The KWVD (Korean War Veteran Descendant) scholarship is a special award for direct descendants of Korean War veterans. Applicants must be direct descendants of a veteran who served in Korea between June 25, 1950 and January 31, 1955 (Korean War era as defined by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs). KWVD recipients must also meet the same regional enrollment requirements for the 2026–2027 school year.
Key takeaways
- KWVD requires direct descent from a Korean War veteran (service in Korea, 6/25/1950–1/31/1955).
- Full-time enrollment in a designated regional school for 2026–2027 is required.
- KWVD awards are distinct from general scholarships and subject to eligibility verification.
Applicant categories (status during 2026–2027)
KASF uses applicant categories based on the student’s status for the 2026–2027 school year. Categories include high school sophomores, juniors, seniors; incoming college freshmen; college sophomores and juniors; college seniors; and graduate students. Applicants must select the category that matches their anticipated status during the award year.
Key takeaways
- Categories: HS sophomores/juniors/seniors; HS seniors entering college; college freshmen/sophomores/juniors; college seniors; graduate students.
- Choose the category that reflects your status for the full 2026–2027 academic year.
- Category affects the application form and required documentation.
Documentation and special requirements
Certain applicants must submit additional financial documentation. International and self-supporting students should complete and upload the Personal Financial Statement form in the Financial Documentation section. Non-students may be eligible if they provide evidence (acceptance letters, signed commitment letters, or similar) showing they will be full-time students in 2026–2027. Residency during the award year—whether U.S. citizen or foreign national residing in the U.S.—is acceptable.
Key takeaways
- International/self-supporting students: submit Personal Financial Statement.
- Current non-students need documentation proving full-time enrollment in 2026–2027.
- Both U.S. citizens and eligible foreign nationals residing in the U.S. can apply.
How to apply and contact information
Start the online application by selecting the category that corresponds to your 2026–2027 status and upload all required documents, including financial statements if applicable. Each regional chapter may have its own submission process and deadlines, so follow the chapter-specific prompts where provided. If you have questions, contact the Midwest regional scholarship team at mwrc.scholarship@kasf.org.
Key takeaways
- Begin application online and choose the correct applicant category.
- Upload required documentation, including financial forms when applicable.
- Questions? Email mwrc.scholarship@kasf.org for assistance.
Award value and funding limitations
Award amounts vary by chapter and depend on available funds, local fundraising results, and donor support. KASF does not guarantee uniform award sizes across regions; scholarship value and number of recipients change annually. Some awards—including KWVD grants—may only be offered when sufficient funds are available.
Key takeaways
- Scholarship amounts and number of awards vary by chapter and year.
- Awards depend on membership dues, local fundraising, and donor contributions.
- Special awards may be contingent on available funding.
Application timeline and deadlines
KASF awards correspond to the academic year indicated (here, the 2026–2027 school year), but specific application opening dates and deadlines are set by each regional chapter and may change annually. Applicants should check their regional chapter’s webpage for the current application window and required submission deadlines. Plan ahead to gather transcripts, financial documents, and any veteran verification materials well before the stated deadlines.
Key takeaways
- Deadlines and application windows vary by chapter and year.
- Verify current dates on your regional chapter’s webpage before applying.
- Start early to assemble transcripts, financial forms, and verification documents.