Scholarships

Scholarships

Scholarships

JASC scholarships 2023JASC 2023 Scholarships

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OVERVIEW

As a part of its efforts to preserve and promote our Japanese heritage and to advance the commitment to community service, the JASC administers an annual scholarship program to support members of the Japanese American community to pursue education beyond high school. These JASC scholarships are intended to provide financial assistance to promising students who have demonstrated both academic excellence and service to the Japanese American community.

We thank the many families and individuals who have donated to fund the scholarships and recognize the people for whom our scholarships have been named, both current scholarships and past: Sam Fukaye Scholarship, Fred Toguri Scholarship; William T. Yamamoto Scholarship; Frank T. Kambara Scholarship; Jean E. Taketoshi Scholarship; John (Jun) Iwaoka Scholarship; Dr. Newton K. Wesley Scholarship; Taketo (Tak) Tomiyama Scholarship.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible applicants must meet each of the following requirements to receive a scholarship from the JASC:

  1. Applicants’ family or applicants themselves must have a current JASC membership. (https://www.jascchicago.org/become-a-member/)
  2. Applicants must be enrolled on a full or part-time basis in an accredited school of advanced learning.
  3. Applicants need not be of Japanese ancestry and need not be a citizen of the United States.
  4. Applicants must submit a written application that includes all the required documents listed in application including a sealed current transcript from their high school or college/university.
  5. Awards are distributed to the student upon the applicant providing JASC with proof of enrollment at an accredited school of advanced learning.
  6. JASC scholarship winners are limited to receiving a total of two (2) awards in their lifetime; once for undergraduate and once for graduate studies. Previous JASC scholarship winners applying for a second award must demonstrate sustained service to others and exceptional community service.

2023 Applications being accepted through 5 pm, Thursday, April 27, 2023.

Guidelines and and application can be downloaded HERE.

2023 scholarship applications require and application form and the following documents. All requested materials must be received for an application to be considered; applications with missing components will not be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee.

  1. Grades, Coursework:
  • Official sealed transcripts from high school or college
  • List of academic honors and/or awards if applicable
  1. Extracurricular Activities:
  • List activities from the past four years and include the level or degree of the applicant’s participation, length of time involved in the activity, leadership, and any accomplishments
  1. Community Service:
  • List of community service to Japanese American organizations and include level of participation, length of time involved, level of involvement, leadership, and accomplishments, etc.
  1. Essay: A one-page essay on one of the following topics:
  • How is JASC relevant to your life?
  • How has JASC contributed to the applicant’s sense of self or personal growth?
  • How do you anticipate participation in JASC in the future?
  1. References: A letter of reference from each of the following:
  • A teacher/professor from the applicant’s school; and
  • An adult (not a family member) familiar with the applicant’s service and participation in the Japanese American community.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The following criteria will be used in evaluating scholarship applications

  1. Service to and participation in JASC and other Japanese American community events, programs, and projects.
  2. While grades are not always indicative of ability, good grades or steady improvement of grades throughout high school, suggest the student takes their education seriously. Grades will be considered as a measure of the student’s interest and seriousness.  The student’s coursework and course levels will also be reviewed as an indication of interests and motivation.
  3. Participation in extracurricular activities is important and will be considered in evaluating an applicant. Considerations will include the level or degree of the applicant’s commitment, leadership, and accomplishments in the activity, etc.

Decisions of the Scholarship Committee are final. Applicants will be notified at the end of May, 2023.

Award recipients should plan to attend the award ceremony at JASC on June 26, 2023. Families are invited and welcome to attend. The venue is subject to change in accordance with current Covid guidelines at the time of the ceremony..

All completed application materials and transcripts must be submitted to:

Japanese American Service Committee
Scholarship Committee
4427 N. Clark
Chicago, IL 60640

Any questions? Please contact:
Jennifer Trautvetter
773-275-0097 ext 228
jtrautvetter@jasc-chicago.org