APIASF: Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund(R)—Today's minds, Tomorrow's future (R)
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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is APIASF?
  2. What is Scholarship Program Administrators, Inc (SPA)?
  3. Where can I receive/pick-up/locate an application for an APIASF scholarship?
  4. Is the deadline a postmark date or does it need to be in SPA's office by this date?
  5. Can I send in the application materials after the indicated deadline?
  6. What is an Application Identification Number?
  7. How do I know that my application ws received?
  8. How much is the scholarship?
  9. Do I have to be a U.S. Citizen to receive a scholarship?
  10. What are the requirements for the scholarship?
  11. I am a graduate student. Can I apply?
  12. I am a continuing college student. Can I apply?
  13. I am a legal resident. Can I apply?
  14. I am part-Asian. Can I apply?
  15. I am a foreign student from Korea/Indonesia/India. Can I apply?
  16. Are APIA students living in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands allowed to apply?
  17. My parents are here on a special visa. Can I apply?
  18. I am from the Middle East. Can I apply?
  19. Is there any special consideration for mixed-raced Asians, individuals who are physically challenged or disabled, etc.?
  20. I have a GPA of 3.0. Would I qualify?
  21. How can I secure more information about APIASF?
  22. Can I apply for the scholarship if I will be attending a vocational/trade school?
  23. I am not a high school grad. However, I am attending a vocational school. Do I qualify?
  24. Can I apply for more than one scholarship (e.g., AAJA, Pell Grants, OCA, GMS, et al.) and still get an APIASF scholarship?
  25. Can we qualify for APIASF multi-year grants/scholarships?
  26. I am still attending high school but am allowed to attend community college early; can I qualify for a scholarship for my community college fees?
  27. I have several scholarships and loans. Will this impact what I receive from APIASF? Would I get less?
  28. Will APIASF allow me to purchase books, supplies (e.g., computer) with my scholarship monies?
  29. Is the scholarship award check made out to me or the school?
  30. Could you give me some advice and support on completing the scholarship application when it is done? I speak limited English.
  31. I am an Asian American attending a college in France. Could I qualify for an APIASF scholarship?
  32. What if my mailing or college information changes, how can I update it?
  33. Are scholarships taxable?
  34. Where do I send my completed application packet?
  35. According to the U.S. Census, what ethnicities are defined as Asian and/or Pacific Islander?

  1. What is APIASF?
    • The Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) is the only national organization promoting higher education of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans by awarding scholarships for qualified students attending college for the first time. Established in 2003, APIASF has already earned the support of major corporations including AT&T, Wells Fargo & Company, The Coca Cola Company, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Macy's, The Hilton Hotels Foundation, General Mills Foundation, Nissan, Sodexho, the Asian McDonald's Owners/Operators Association and others, http://www.apiasf.org/supporters.
  2. What is Scholarship Program Administrators, Inc (SPA)?
    • Scholarship Program Administrators, Inc. is a firm that specializes in managing sponsored scholarship programs. To assure complete impartiality in the selection of awardees and to maintain a high level of professionalism, APIASF is partnering with SPA.
  3. Where can I receive/pick-up/locate an application for an APIASF scholarship?
  4. Is the deadline a postmark date or does it need to be in SPA's office by this date?
    • The deadline for the program is a postmark date, January 12, 2007, 11:59 p.m. EST.
  5. Can I send in the application materials after the indicated deadline?
    • No. All scholarship applications must be postmarked on or before January 12, 2007, 11:59 p.m. EST.
  6. What is an Application Identification Number?
    • Each application is assigned an Application Identification Number (AIN) to carefully manage all the applications and paperwork that are submitted. Each applicant will be assigned an AIN once they register for the online application, and it should be used for any future submittal of requested documentation. Students submitting a paper application must allow at least two weeks for their application information to be transferred by SPA before they are assigned an AIN.
  7. How do I know that my application was received?
    • You can check the status of your application by returning to https://www.scholarshipadministrators.net/ and clicking the "Check Application Status" link. Enter your AIN, first and last name. "Submitted" means your online application has been placed on file; it will not be reviewed and processed until all your documents have been received. Once reviewed and processed your status will change to "Complete". Incomplete applications will remain as "Submitted"; it is up to the applicant to ensure a complete application packet is mailed by the postmark deadline.
  8. How much is the scholarship?
    • For the 2007-2008 school year, APIASF will be awarding $2,000 scholarships to deserving first-time incoming college students.
  9. Do I have to be a U.S. Citizen to receive a scholarship?
    • You must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or legal permanent resident. Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau are also eligible to apply.
  10. What are the requirements for the scholarship?
    • Be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by the 2000 Census.
    • Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, legal permanent resident, or a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau.
    • Be a first-time, incoming college student in the Fall of 2007.
    • Be enrolled full-time in a two or four-year program at a U.S. accredited college or university in the U.S., Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for the 2007-2008 school year (enrollment is verified in the Spring of 2007). In the Freely Associated States, this includes the Community College of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.
    • Have a cumulative, unweighted grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or the G.E.D. equivalent.
  11. I am a graduate student. Can I apply?
    • No. At this time, APIASF only offers scholarships to first-time, incoming college students for the 2007-2008 school year. In the future, we hope to secure financial support to offer scholarships for ongoing college, graduate and doctorate students.
  12. I am a continuing college student. Can I apply?
    • No. At this time, APIASF only offers scholarships to first-time, incoming college students for the 2007-2008 school year.
  13. I am a legal resident. Can I apply?
    • Yes. Students who are legal permanent residents are eligible to apply.
  14. I am part-Asian. Can I apply?
    • Yes. To be eligible to apply, you must be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by the 2000 Census; and be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, permanent resident, or a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.
  15. I am a foreign student from Korea/Indonesia/India. Can I apply?
    • No. You must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or legal permanent resident. Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau are also eligible to apply.
  16. Are APIA students living in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands allowed to apply?
    • Yes, as long as the student also meets the other qualification criteria.
  17. My parents are here on a special visa. Can I apply?
    • No. You must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or permanent resident at the time of application.
  18. I am from the Middle East. Can I apply?
    • No. APIASF follows the U.S. Census definition of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicities, and citizens from Afghanistan are not defined as an Asian ethnicity.
  19. Is there any special consideration for mixed-raced Asians, individuals who are physically challenged or disabled, etc.?
    • No.
  20. I have a GPA of 3.0. Would I qualify?
    • Yes. The eligibility requirement regarding scholastic achievement is a minimum cumulative unweighted grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, or the GED equivalent.
  21. How can I secure more information about APIASF?
    • Talk to your high school or college counselor, visit our website at www.apiasf.org, call the APIASF office at 877-808-7032 or SPA at 866-756-7857.
  22. Can I apply for the scholarship if I will be attending a vocational/trade school?
    • Yes, only if the vocational/trade school is a two-year program at a U.S. accredited college (including community college) in the U.S., Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for the 2007-2007 college academic year.
  23. I am not a high school grad. However, I am attending a vocational school. Do I qualify?
    • For school year 2007-2008, if you have a G.E.D. score equivalent to a minimum GPA of 2.7, you may qualify. You must also meet the other eligibility requirements. If you do not have a G.E.D. equivalent score, you will not qualify. However, as you prepare for the following school year as a continuing student, please check back in November 2007 for updates on APIASF scholarship programs and guidelines.
  24. Can I apply for more than one scholarship (e.g., AAJA, Pell Grants, OCA, GMS, et al.) and still get an APIASF scholarship?
    • Yes. APIASF understands the costs associated with a college education and encourages you to seek additional funds to cover the total cost of your education.
  25. Can we qualify for APIASF multi-year grants/scholarships?
    • The scholarships APIASF will be offering for the 2007-2008 school year are one-time, nonrenewable awards.
  26. I am still attending high school but am allowed to attend community college early; can I qualify for a scholarship for my community college fees?
    • APIASF scholarships will be awarded to full time college students in the Fall 2007. You are not able to use the award for fees associated with classes while you are still a student is still in high school. If you meet the eligibility criteria you are welcome to apply for the Fall 2007 academic year.
  27. I have several scholarships and loans. Will this impact what I receive from APIASF? Would I get less?
    • No. However, it may impact your financial aid package you receive from your college. Most of the time, the college reduces your student loan or work-study portion of your financial aid package. It is your responsibility to report any external educational scholarships, grants, and loans you receive to your school's Financial Aid Office.
  28. Will APIASF allow me to purchase books, supplies (e.g., computer) with my scholarship monies?
    • APIASF scholarship awards can only be used to cover the cost of attendance. This may include tuition, fees, books, supplies, living expenses, and meals. The cost to attendance is calculated differently per college. Please check with the schools you wish to attend.
  29. Is the scholarship award check made out to me or the school?
    • The award is made out to the college for your educational expenses. The check is sent to you for delivery to your campus.
  30. Could you give me some advice and support on completing the scholarship application when it is done? I speak limited English.
    • APIASF encourages you to talk to your school or college counselor. You can also call our office at 877-808-7032 or Scholarship Program Administrators, Inc., at 866-756-7857 if you have any additional questions.
  31. I am an Asian American attending a college in France. Could I qualify for an APIASF scholarship?
    • No. APIASF awardees must be enrolled full-time in a two or four-year program at a U.S. accredited college or university in the U.S., Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for the 2006-2007 academic year. In addition, since you are already attending college, you would not qualify since we award scholarships to only students entering college for the first time.
  32. What if my mailing or college information changes, how can I update it?
    • If you need to change or update your mailing or email address, and/or college information ONLY, you can do so by returning to https://www.scholarshipadministrators.net/ and clicking the "Edit Mailing Address" or "Edit College Information" link. Enter your AIN, first and last name. Click the "Edit Address/College" button and make the necessary changes. Any changes to your actual application will not be read or taken into consideration by the selection committee.
  33. Are scholarships taxable?
    • Tax laws vary by country. The scholarship recipient is responsible for taxes, if any, that may be assessed against your scholarship award. We recommend consulting your tax advisor for more guidance.
  34. Where do I send my completed application packet?
    • Mail your complete application postmarked by the appropriate deadline listed on the cover page to:

      APIASF
      c/o Scholarship Program Administrators, Inc.
      P.O. Box 23737
      Nashville, Tennessee 37202-3737

  35. According to the U.S. Census, what ethnicities are defined as Asian and/or Pacific Islander.
    • Asian and Pacific Islanders are U.S. citizens, nationals, or legal permanent residents having origins in any of the original peoples of Asia and/or the Pacific Islands. Asian refers to people having origins in any of the original peoples of Far East, Southeast Asia, and/or the Indian subcontinent. Pacific Islander refers to people having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawai'i, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. These include but are not limited to:
      • Asian Indian, Bangladeshi, Bhutanese, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese (other than Taiwanese), Filipino, Hmong, Indo-Chinese, Indonesian, lwo Jiman, Japanese, Korean, Lao, Laotian (including Khmu, Lahu, Mien, ThaiDam, and other ethnic groups from Laos), Malaysian, Maldivian, Nepalese, Okinawan, Pakistani, Singaporean, Sri Lankan, Taiwanese, Thai, Vietnamese (including Montagnards and Khmer Krom), other Asian not specified
      • Polynesian-Native Hawaiian, Samoan, Tongan, Tahitian, Tokelauan, Polynesian not specified
      • Melanesian-Fijian, Papua New Guinean, Solomon lslander, Ni-Vanuatu, Melanesian not specified
      • Micronesian-Carolinian, Chuukese, Guamanian or Chamorro, l-Kiribati, Kosraean, Mariana lslander, Marshallese, Palauan, Pohnpeian, Saipanese, Yapese, Micronesian not specified
      • Other Pacific lslander
      • Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau are also eligible to be nominated.
    • Links to the census information are as follows:

Questions

For additional information regarding the scholarship program contact:
Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund
Phone: 877-808-7032
Fax: 202-667-4690
Email: info@apiasf.org

OR

Scholarship Program Administrators, Inc.
Phone: 866-756-7857
Fax: 615-320-3151
Website: https://www.scholarshipadministrators.net/EmailRequestForm.asp
Access Key: APIAS
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