Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship Program

Name: Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship Program

Award Amount: $2,500 per recipient (20 awards available)

Information And Eligibility:
The Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship Program is a need-focused national scholarship administered by the Asian Pacific Community Fund in partnership with the Cathay Bank Foundation to support high school seniors within the Bank’s service territories who are planning to pursue higher education. This program is dedicated to helping motivated students overcome financial barriers to college by providing targeted financial assistance that supplements other aid sources and enhances access to post-secondary opportunities. The scholarship aligns with the Foundation’s broader mission of community investment, educational opportunity, and long-term student success.

Each year, the program awards twenty scholarships of $2,500 each to eligible high school seniors who plan to enroll in a U.S. accredited four-year college or community college as full-time degree-seeking students in the upcoming fall. These awards are intended to help recipients cover core college costs such as tuition, mandatory fees, books, supplies, and other essential education expenses that contribute to sustained academic achievement and progress.

The selection committee reviews applicants holistically, with emphasis on academic performance, financial need, personal initiative, leadership experiences, and community involvement. While academic excellence is recognized through the minimum GPA requirement, financial need plays a significant role in the review process to ensure that students with limited resources have meaningful support as they embark on their college journeys. The scholarship is open to students across all majors, allowing talented individuals from diverse academic backgrounds to compete.

Recipients often represent exceptional promise within their local communities and bring demonstrated commitment to both their educational goals and civic engagement. Awardees have gone on to attend colleges and universities across the United States, contributing to fields such as engineering, business, health sciences, education, and social sciences. Through this scholarship, students gain not only financial support but also recognition and encouragement as they pursue impactful careers and academic excellence.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a high school senior at the time of application.
• Must reside in the Cathay Bank Foundation’s service areas including California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas, or Washington.
• Must plan to enroll full time at a U.S. accredited four-year college or community college in the fall term.
• Must have a minimum unweighted high school GPA of 3.0.
• Must demonstrate financial need, with household income at or below the low-income level for the county of residence.
• Employees of Cathay Bank and their immediate family members are not eligible to apply.

Application Requirements:

• Completed Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship online application form.
• Official high school transcript.
• Recommendation form or letter from a teacher, counselor, or mentor.
• Documentation of financial need (such as FAFSA results or tax return information if selected).
• Acceptance letter from the college or university to be attended (upon selection).

Additional Details:

• There are 20 separate awards of $2,500 available each scholarship cycle.
• Funds are intended to support college costs including tuition, fees, books, and essential educational expenses.
• Selection is based on a combination of academic achievement, demonstrated need, and personal character.
• Applicants are encouraged to submit all materials prior to the deadline to ensure full consideration.

Deadline: April

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