APIA Scholars is a national scholarship nonprofit whose awards range from $2,500 one-year scholarships to $20,000 multi-year scholarships for undergraduates with high financial need. Selection prioritizes students who live at or below the poverty line and are the first in their family to attend college. The APIA Scholars scholarship application for 2027-2028 opens November 15, 2026 and closes January 15, 2027 at 5 p.m. EST.
This profile is based on the APIA Scholars scholarships page, checked in November 2026.
Who is eligible for the APIA Scholars scholarship
For the 2027-2028 cycle, APIA Scholars lists these requirements. Applicants must:
- “Be able to demonstrate and communicate high-financial need for education.”
- Be “a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau.”
- Be “enrolling/enrolled as an undergraduate degree student at a U.S.-accredited post-secondary institution for the upcoming academic year.”
Students working toward an associate or bachelor’s degree may apply, at two-year or four-year schools. Anyone who already holds a bachelor’s degree or higher cannot. The page says the scholarships are open to “all undergraduate students attending U.S. accredited colleges or universities.”
The scholarships page does not list a GPA minimum. Other details, such as essays, are covered in the program’s FAQ and Application Guide and Tips pages.
What the award pays
Awards “range from $2,500 one-year awards to $20,000 multi-year awards.” Scholarships are distributed in summer 2027 for the 2027-2028 year. APIA Scholars does not publish the number of awards on its scholarships page.
| Feature | 2027-2028 cycle |
|---|---|
| Smallest award | $2,500, one year |
| Largest award | $20,000, multi-year |
| Who is prioritized | Significant financial need; at or below the poverty line and first-generation |
| Degree level | Associate or bachelor’s (no prior bachelor’s degree) |
How selection works
Selection “prioritizes those who demonstrate significant financial need.” Need is the center of this program. The page singles out students who “live at or below the poverty line and are in the first generation of their family to attend college.” That differs from merit-based programs, where need is only one factor, as explained in our merit vs need-based aid guide.
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APIA Scholars does not publish acceptance rates on its scholarships page. Questions go to [email protected].
Deadlines and timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application opens | November 15, 2026 |
| Application closes | January 15, 2027, 5 p.m. EST |
| Scholars notified by email | April 15, 2027 |
| Scholarship distribution | Summer 2027 |
The 2026-2027 cycle is closed. Note the 5 p.m. Eastern cutoff. Students on the West Coast lose three hours compared with a midnight deadline.
How to make a strong application
- Communicate your need, do not just state it. The requirement is to “demonstrate and communicate” high financial need. Explain your family’s situation in concrete terms: household size, who works, and what costs the family carries.
- Say if you are first-generation. The program prioritizes first-generation students living at or below the poverty line. If that is you, make it clear.
- Read the Application Guide and Tips first. APIA Scholars publishes its own guide alongside the FAQ. Use it to see every component before November 15.
- Apply in your first year at community college too. Two-year students are eligible, so you do not need to wait until you transfer.
- Submit well before 5 p.m. EST on January 15. Late submissions are not accepted after the cutoff.
For help explaining your family’s finances clearly, see our guide to the Student Aid Index, which explains how need is measured.
Similar programs to consider
- The HSF Scholar Program is another heritage-focused national program with need-based award amounts.
- The Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship serves seniors with financial need in computer science and engineering.
- Our first-generation scholarships guide lists more awards for first-in-family students.
- Our scholarship finder filters awards by heritage and need.
APIA Scholars FAQ
Can community college students apply?
Yes. Students pursuing an associate degree at a U.S.-accredited institution are eligible.
Can citizens of Palau or the Marshall Islands apply?
Yes. Citizens, nationals and permanent residents of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau are eligible, along with those of the United States.
I already have a bachelor’s degree. Can I apply for a second one?
No. Applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree or higher are not eligible.
When will I hear back?
Scholars are notified by email on April 15, 2027.