JACL National Scholarship Program

Students planning full-time undergraduate or graduate study at a U.S. accredited institution in fall 2026 may apply across freshman, undergraduate, graduate, law, creative arts, and financial-need categories. Membership is open to all ethnic backgrounds.

The program distributes more than $70,000 annually across roughly 30 named one-time awards. Past national recipients may receive at most two total awards.

Entering freshmen must complete applications by March 2; all other categories are due April 3 at 11:59 p.m. Hawaiian Standard Time with a personal statement, recommendation letter, transcripts, work history, headshot, and JACL involvement documentation.

JACL has operated its National Scholarship and Awards Program since 1946 as the civil-rights organization's flagship student support initiative.