Southern Regional Chapter Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Korean American Scholarship Foundation

Description
Bold subheading: What KASF does
The Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) is a volunteer-run nonprofit that provides financial assistance to Korean-American students pursuing higher education. It awards scholarships through regional chapters and supports students who demonstrate heritage ties to Korea, academic potential, and financial need. KASF also makes awards—when funds permit—to qualified descendants of Korean War veterans.

Key takeaways:
- Volunteer-managed nonprofit focused on higher-education scholarships.
- Serves students with Korean heritage and, when funded, descendants of Korean War veterans.
- Scholarships administered through regional chapters across the U.S.

Mission and objectives
Bold subheading: Core goals
KASF pursues three primary goals: support Korean-American students’ academic and personal achievement, promote community and civic service as part of leadership development, and foster pride in Korean cultural heritage. These goals guide the foundation’s scholarship selection, educational programs, and community activities. Board members and many donors are volunteers who contribute both time and funds to advance these objectives.

Key takeaways:
- Support academic/personal achievement of Korean-American students.
- Encourage civic service as part of leadership development.
- Nurture pride in Korean cultural heritage and tradition.

History
Bold subheading: Origins and growth
KASF was founded in Washington, D.C., in 1969 by local Korean-American community leaders and operated as a local organization for two decades. In response to growing Korean immigrant communities and increased student financial need, KASF reorganized as a national organization in 1989. Today it remains headquartered in the Washington, D.C., area and operates through multiple regional chapters across the country.

Key takeaways:
- Founded in 1969 in Washington, D.C.
- Became a national organization in 1989.
- Headquartered in D.C. with several regional chapters nationwide.

Organization and funding
Bold subheading: Governance and finances
KASF is run by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by volunteers and donors at local and national levels. Each regional chapter operates under a common set of bylaws but independently raises funds, manages programs, and awards scholarships. Operating expenses are covered through membership dues, local fundraising, and contributions from board members and other donors.

Key takeaways:
- Volunteer Board of Directors manages the foundation.
- Regional chapters operate independently under a single bylaws framework.
- Operating expenses funded by dues, fundraising, and donor contributions.

Eligibility — general scholarships
Bold subheading: Who can apply
General KASF scholarships require applicants to demonstrate Korean heritage (parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or adoption from Korea), be enrolled full time in a qualifying school during the 2026–2027 academic year in designated Southern-region states, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and show financial need. Applicants may be U.S. citizens or foreign nationals who will reside in the U.S. during the 2026–2027 school year. Current non-students can qualify if they provide documentation confirming full-time enrollment for 2026–2027.

Key takeaways:
- Must have Korean heritage or be adopted from Korea.
- Full-time enrollment in 2026–2027 at schools in designated Southern states required.
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and demonstrable financial need needed.

KWVD Scholarship — eligibility and criteria
Bold subheading: Korean War veteran descendant awards
The KWVD scholarship is reserved for direct descendants of Korean War veterans who served in Korea between June 25, 1950 and January 31, 1955, as defined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. KWVD recipients must also be full-time students in one of the designated Southern-region states during the 2026–2027 academic year. This award is a distinct category with its own heritage requirement tied to Korean War service dates.

Key takeaways:
- Reserved for direct descendants of Korean War veterans (service in Korea, 6/25/1950–1/31/1955).
- Full-time enrollment in 2026–2027 in designated Southern-region states required.
- Heritage requirement differs from general scholarships by the veteran lineage.

Applicant categories
Bold subheading: Student status classifications
KASF sorts applicants by the status they will hold during the 2026–2027 school year. Categories include high school sophomores, juniors, seniors (and seniors planning to enter college), college freshmen, sophomores, juniors, college seniors, and graduate students. Applicants must select the category that matches their 2026–2027 student status when applying.

Key takeaways:
- Categories range from high school underclassmen to graduate students.
- High school seniors may apply as those planning to attend college in 2026–2027.
- Choose the category that reflects your status for the 2026–2027 year.

Required documents and financial information
Bold subheading: What to prepare
International or self-supporting applicants must complete a Personal Financial Statement form and upload it in the Financial Documentation section of the application. Current non-students need acceptance letters, signed commitment letters, or comparable documentation proving they will be full-time students in 2026–2027. All applicants should assemble transcripts to verify GPA and any documents demonstrating financial need.

Key takeaways:
- International/self-supporting applicants must submit a Personal Financial Statement.
- Non-students must provide proof of upcoming full-time enrollment.
- Include transcripts and financial-need documentation with the application.

Application process and contact
Bold subheading: How to apply
Begin the online application by selecting the appropriate applicant category and completing the sections, including Financial Documentation. Upload required forms and supporting documents through the online portal; incomplete applications may not be considered. For questions or clarification, applicants can email src.scholarship@kasf.org.

Key takeaways:
- Start the online application and choose your 2026–2027 category.
- Upload all required documents, including financial forms and transcripts.
- Direct questions to src.scholarship@kasf.org.

Award value and availability
Bold subheading: Funding variability
KASF scholarship amounts and the availability of specific awards (including KWVD) vary by chapter and depend on annual fundraising and donated funds. There is no single, fixed award amount listed centrally; scholarship value and the number of awards may change year to year based on funds raised in each regional chapter. Applicants should expect variability and consult their regional chapter for the most current information.

Key takeaways:
- Award amounts and availability vary by chapter and year.
- No single fixed scholarship amount is centrally published.
- Check with your regional chapter for up-to-date award details.