FAQ
General
If I will be matriculating at a school in another state next fall, which Scholarship region should I apply to?
You should apply in the region where your school is located.
When will I be notified with a decision?
You will be notified by a regional director no later than August 15.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline of the application is June 30, at 12am EST.
Would I be able to know whether my transcript or recommendation letter is received by KASF?
Yes, a confirmation email will be sent to you once a document is uploaded to your application.
Can I log in to my account after submitting my application?
You are no longer able to access your account once you have submitted it.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship category? (Ex. General Scholarship and Korean War Veteran Descendent Scholarship)
Yes, you can apply for more than one applicable scholarship categories, but you can only be awarded one scholarship category.
How will I receive my scholarship funds?
KASF will issue a check under your name and mail it to the address you provide in your application.
Scholarship Eligibility
I am entering college this fall. Which Scholarship am I eligible for?
You should apply for scholarship for a college student.
Can I apply for the scholarship if I took a gap year between school years?
If you are a full-time student during the scholarship year, you are eligible to apply.
Am I eligible for the scholarship if I will be attending school in the US as an international student?
Yes, you are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
Letters of Recommendation
Will my application still be able to be reviewed if my recommender does not submit the letter on time?
We allow a grace period of 7 days after the application deadline for the supporting documents.
In the recommendation section. does the faculty member have to write a letter of recommendation? What are the options?
The recommender will be emailed a link to an online form they can fill out, or they can write a letter and upload it to the online form, whichever they prefer.
What options do I have if one of my references is not contactable? I submitted my application already so I cannot make any change.
Please provide name and email address of a new reference to feedback@kasf.org
Financial Document
In terms of my tax return, what will you need exactly from a self-supporting student? I was a little concerned about my personal identification with SSN.
All we need is the first page or two that provides your identifying information and lists your gross income. You can redact your SSN.
My parents live in <non-US country> and do not have a tax return document. What should I send as financial documents in place of the tax return document?
Please submit the document that indicates the gross income of your parents in the previous year. If your parents live in Korea, please submit the document called 근로소득세 원천징수 영수증.
What kinds of official documents are proper for providing proof that I have not been declared as a dependent by my parents?
Most self-supporting students submit their tax return to show that they are not claimed as dependents by their parents. If you did not file a tax return, you may need to submit a signed letter stating that you are a self-supporting student and attached the financial worksheet.
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Testimonial Contest Winners
First Place
Hong Beom Lee
Syracuse University (Physics)
Second Place
Sandra Bae
University of Colorado
(Creative Technology and Design)
Lynn Ma
Craig Newmark School of Journalism at CUNY
(Journalism)
Christie Kim
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
(Public Health)
Jueun Baek
University of Washington
(Psychology)

Our Mission
We are a non-profit organization established to help meet the financial needs of Korean-American students seeking higher education. Specifically, the foundation seeks to:
1. Assist Korean American students in pursuit of academic and personal achievement
2. Encourage community and civic service as an integral part of leadership development
3. Nurture the sense of pride and confidence in Korean cultural heritage and tradition
53
Years
KASF was founded in 1969 and has been in operation for half a century.
$11.5M
Granted
In 2021 alone, we awarded $600,000 to undergraduate and graduate students, high school students, and Korean War Veterans Descendants.
7300
Students Awarded
Students living in all parts of the United States have received support for their education through KASF grants.
$5.7M
In Endowment
Donors have generously contributed towards our endowment. The interest earned from our endowment is used for our Chair Scholarships.

Testimonials
I am very proud to be of mixed Korean descent. It is organizations like KASF that make it possible for Korean American students to pursue their educational goals and succeed, with pride.Marlene M. Clarke, Scholarship Recipient
I am thankful for organizations such as this Foundation to help contribute to our growth. I feel it is important to give back to a community that has nourished that growth. We, as Korean-Americans, must realize the importance of our heritage and our contribution to the future.Sandie E. Kim, Scholarship Recipient
I’m so grateful for the Korean American Scholarship Foundation for pouring out support to help those in the 1.5 and 2nd generation like my son, who can bridge the gap between the Korean community and the mainstream, and as act as a bridge between the 1st and 3rd generation in the near future.Richie's Mother (Ellicott City), Scholarship Recipient
My father, who is a pastor at Bible Mission Church Korean, receives a gross income of $2,500. After paying other utilities, it is hard to live. There was no external support. My educational pursuits would not be possible without generous support from scholarship sponsors like KASF. Your generosity is allowing me to make my goals and dreams a reality.Jinwon Kim, Scholarship Recipient
It is through your efforts and kindness that I am able to receive the education that my family always dreamed of when we immigrated here more than a decade ago with nothing but suitcases and broken English. It is because of everyone who participated in the creation of this scholarship that I am able to sit in my dorm, by the lamplight, writing this letter.Haena Lee, Scholarship Recipient
During my years at L.A. City College, I have striven hard, like many of my peers, in pursuit of academic excellence. I have met many formidable individuals from diverse cultural and social background. Our differences in language and culture were not a barrier as our common goal of a higher education brought solidarity amongst the group. Although there were times I felt discouraged due to disadvantages in my household, I refused to give up and focused on what mattered the most.Eugene Kim, Scholarship Recipient
This award has saved me a mountain of stress concerning my financial situation, and I can't imagine where I'd be if not for your generosity. I can now tell you, with no small amount of happiness, that I will be able to focus solely on my studies next year.Esther Lee, Scholarship Recipient
The altruistic mission KASF and the benevolent individuals within this organization have inspired me to represent my culture and my people with pride and honor in whatever future endeavors I may pursue.Grace Pyon, Scholarship Recipient
By awarding me this scholarship, you have allowed me to focus on my academic goals so I can continue my education through graduate school. I hope to pursue a master's degree in Education and make a big impact in nonprofit management and education reformation. Your generous donation has inspired me to give back to my community once I am in the position to, and especially support the Korean community around me wherever I am.Esther Han Seul Cha, Scholarship Recipient
50 for 50 Fundraiser
To celebrate KASF’s 50th anniversary, we are asking 50 of our board members and friends of KASF to pledge a gift of $50K—or more—in their will. This is a gift that will be made to KASF upon his/her/their passing: a pledge of intent, not a commitment to donate today.
Change a student's life
Invest in the future generation by donating to KASF today.
With your contribution, anything is possible.
Home
2023-2024 Scholarship application is CLOSED
Scholarships
Read about our scholarship types, evaluation criteria, and all of the requirements.
Apply Now
Which region’s scholarship should you apply to? Do you meet the qualifications?
Get Involved
Learn about the 3 ways to get involved with KASF, from volunteering to donating!
54
Years
KASF was founded in 1969 and has been in operation for half a century.
$12.3M
Granted
In 2022 alone, we awarded $773,000 to undergraduate and graduate students, high school students, and Korean War Veterans Descendants.
7700
Students Awarded
Students living in all parts of the United States have received support for their education through KASF grants.
$5.4M
In Endowment
Donors have generously contributed towards our endowment. The interest earned from our endowment is used for our Chair Scholarships.
54
Years
KASF was founded in 1969 and has been in operation for half a century.
$12.3M
Granted
In 2022 alone, we awarded $773,000 to undergraduate and graduate students, high school students, and Korean War Veterans Descendants.
7700
Students Awarded
Students living in all parts of the United States have received support for their education through KASF grants.
$5.2M
In Endowment
Donors have generously contributed towards our endowment. The interest earned from our endowment is used for our Chair Scholarships.
Testimonials
I am very proud to be of mixed Korean descent. It is organizations like KASF that make it possible for Korean American students to pursue their educational goals and succeed, with pride.Marlene M. Clarke, Scholarship Recipient
I am thankful for organizations such as this Foundation to help contribute to our growth. I feel it is important to give back to a community that has nourished that growth. We, as Korean-Americans, must realize the importance of our heritage and our contribution to the future.Sandie E. Kim, Scholarship Recipient
I’m so grateful for the Korean American Scholarship Foundation for pouring out support to help those in the 1.5 and 2nd generation like my son, who can bridge the gap between the Korean community and the mainstream, and as act as a bridge between the 1st and 3rd generation in the near future.Richie's Mother (Ellicott City), Scholarship Recipient
My father, who is a pastor at Bible Mission Church Korean, receives a gross income of $2,500. After paying other utilities, it is hard to live. There was no external support. My educational pursuits would not be possible without generous support from scholarship sponsors like KASF. Your generosity is allowing me to make my goals and dreams a reality.Jinwon Kim, Scholarship Recipient
It is through your efforts and kindness that I am able to receive the education that my family always dreamed of when we immigrated here more than a decade ago with nothing but suitcases and broken English. It is because of everyone who participated in the creation of this scholarship that I am able to sit in my dorm, by the lamplight, writing this letter.Haena Lee, Scholarship Recipient
During my years at L.A. City College, I have striven hard, like many of my peers, in pursuit of academic excellence. I have met many formidable individuals from diverse cultural and social background. Our differences in language and culture were not a barrier as our common goal of a higher education brought solidarity amongst the group. Although there were times I felt discouraged due to disadvantages in my household, I refused to give up and focused on what mattered the most.Eugene Kim, Scholarship Recipient
This award has saved me a mountain of stress concerning my financial situation, and I can't imagine where I'd be if not for your generosity. I can now tell you, with no small amount of happiness, that I will be able to focus solely on my studies next year.Esther Lee, Scholarship Recipient
The altruistic mission KASF and the benevolent individuals within this organization have inspired me to represent my culture and my people with pride and honor in whatever future endeavors I may pursue.Grace Pyon, Scholarship Recipient
By awarding me this scholarship, you have allowed me to focus on my academic goals so I can continue my education through graduate school. I hope to pursue a master's degree in Education and make a big impact in nonprofit management and education reformation. Your generous donation has inspired me to give back to my community once I am in the position to, and especially support the Korean community around me wherever I am.Esther Han Seul Cha, Scholarship Recipient
Donation Opportunities
General Donation
Invest in the future generation by donating to KASF today.
With your contribution, anything is possible.
50 for 50 Fundraiser
To celebrate KASF’s 50th anniversary, we are asking 50 of our board members and friends of KASF to pledge a gift of $50K—or more—in their will. This is a gift that will be made to KASF upon his/her/their passing: a pledge of intent, not a commitment to donate today.
Donation Opportunities
General Donation
Invest in the future generation by donating to KASF today.
With your contribution, anything is possible.
50 for 50 Fundraiser
To celebrate KASF’s 50th anniversary, we are asking 50 of our board members and friends of KASF to pledge a gift of $50K—or more—in their will. This is a gift that will be made to KASF upon his/her/their passing: a pledge of intent, not a commitment to donate today.