Eligibility
Heritage: Korean American students studying in the United States.
Enrollment: Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full-time in a university in the United States during the scholarship application year.
Application: The committee will read the application and distribute funds based on the quality of the application and need demonstrated. Students who have demonstrated excellency in their application and field of study will be given preference. More than 10 applicants will be selected. Scholarships up to $3,000 will be rewarded to students.
Starting this year, we will give preference to new applicants over returning applicants. If you are a returning applicant, feel free to apply but note that new applicants will be given preference in the award of scholarships.
Application Instructions
Papers & Documents to Submit
Email the following to KayLee@KayLeefoundation.org with a subject line beginning with your last name and then your first name no later than application deadline December 21, 2024. Please email all application materials in one email. Recommendation letters can be sent as they are ready. We will primarily base selection from the essay in the application. Please note that we will not be accepting any paper applications. All applications must be emailed. The scholarship recipients will be announced on January 1, 2025.
- A completed & signed application form (click here to download the form). Save the file as YourLastName-FirstName-KL-6th-Application.xlsx
- A 1200-1500 word essay in PDF- Name the file as YourLastName-FirstName-Essay.pdf (see below for the essay question)
- Certificate of Current Enrollment Verification
- An official Transcript- Please have this sent to the foundation email address
- A recommendation letter by a professor/teacher of either current school or prior school (Emailed directly to us by the professor)
- A resume
- Your prior year tax return
- A passport-style photo taken within past year
Essay Topic: Asian Americans in Politics
Andy Kim, a New Jersey Democrat, will be the first Korean American to serve as a U.S. Senator when he is sworn in this year. Although Kim has previously mentioned growing up struggling with his Korean American identity and being primarily seen as a foreigner, he still chose to pursue a political career despite these struggles.
Andy Kim’s story is atypical as very few Asian Americans seek a career in politics. While Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the fastest-growing racial group in the country and represent 24 million people in the United States, it is estimated that less than 1% of Asian Americans decide to pursue political careers.
In a 1200-1500 word essay, discuss the issue of Asian American representation in politics. In your opinion, what are the reasons for this lack of Asian American representation in politics? Describe any similarities or differences with Asian Americans pursuing other career paths (e.g., business, law, medicine, media). Why should Asian Americans enter politics? Additionally, how can we encourage greater political participation from the Asian American community?