2021 KRC Scholarship Awards Announcement
Friday, March 5th, 2021
Apply today to the 2021 KRC Scholarship Awards for Asian American and Pacific Islander students!
The Korean Resource Center (KRC) is pleased to announce the 2021 KRC Scholarship awards to empower and support Korean and/or Asian American/Pacific Islander youth.
KRC was founded in 1983 with four founding principles (Live Right, Know Your Roots, Live in Strength, Live in Harmony), and has worked to empower Korean, low-income, immigrant, and other Asian American, Pacific Islander, and people of color communities in Southern California. The KRC Scholarship Awards commemorate the late Jung Bong Jimmy Choi (고 정봉 최진환 박사) who as one of the founders of KRC and dedicated himself to empowering young people by focusing on Korean cultural heritage and democratic actions among Korean Americans.
New Application Deadline: Sunday, April 18th, 2021
Awards
KRC will offer four scholarship awards of $1,500 each. A special category has been set aside for undocumented students only. Preference will be given to low-income and other underserved students.
Jung Bong Puri Scholarship:
Puri (뿌리) means the “root”. We place value in cultural diversity, and knowing one’s roots is the starting point. This category is specifically for those who identify as Korean Americans.
Jung Bong Hongik Scholarship:
Hongik (홍익인간) refers to the founding spirit of Korea (고조선, Gojoseon kingdom), and it means “ to widely benefit humankind”
Du-re Scholarship:
Du-re (두레) is a traditional collective laboring operation within small farming communities in Korea, where the villagers supported each other and had celebrations and fun activities together.
Dream Scholarship:
KRC has been fiercely working to protect the dreams of undocumented youth. The Dream Scholarship Award is exclusively designated for undocumented students.
Eligibility
Identifies as Korean American and/or Asian American & Pacific Islander
Demonstrated financial need
Currently enrolled at a college or university in the U.S as a part-time (6 or more units) or full-time degree-seeking student, or will be enrolled in Fall of 2021.
Must be present at the award ceremony in mid-May 2021 (in person or via video conferencing).
Graduate students are not eligible to apply with an exception to undocumented students.
How to Apply
We accept online applications only. Applicants will need to prepare specific documents (see below), and fill out the online application form. Applications and all supporting documents including recommendation letters must be submitted by April 18th, 2021. Late or incomplete applications will NOT be accepted.
Please prepare the following materials before filling out the application form:
[REQUIRED] — 2 letters of recommendation: please ask that recommendation letters be sent directly to scholarship@krcla.org. Include in the subject line of the reference letter: applicant's name.
Please be sure that we receive the letters by April 18th
It is okay/recommended to ask them for the letter BEFORE completing the online application so that the letters arrive on time
[REQUIRED] — One long (up to 1000 words) essay in English or in Korean (Topics below)
[REQUIRED] — Two short (2-4 paragraphs) writings on the career goal and the financial situation.
[REQUIRED] — Tuition statement from the current or intended college.
[REQUIRED] — Financial need calculation (please see the application for details).
[REQUIRED] — Expected Family Contribution (we recommend to use get2college or College Board’s EFC calculator).
The essays can be in English or Korean. If submitting an essay in the Korean language, if possible, please include an English translation to assist us with the review process. However, the English translation is optional and will not impact your application.
(Only for prospective college students) Proof of college acceptance.
Optional: Scanned copy of the transcript, list of awards / extracurricular activities.
2021 KRC Scholarship Awards Essay Topics
What aspects of your cultural or ethnic heritage would you like to pass on to the next generation?
What is Hongik Ingan (홍익인간) and how can you help fulfill its purpose?
How do you see this pandemic affecting society, especially vulnerable community members, and how do you think Korean/Asian American communities should respond?
In light of increasing hate crimes and xenophobic rhetoric targeting Asian American communities during the pandemic, how do you think Korean/Asian American communities should respond?
Describe how you see the role of Korean/Asian American communities in relation to racial justice movements such as Black Lives Matter (BLM). What are the strengths and blind spots of Korean/Asian American communities?
Contacts
Please fill out the form below for any questions.