Program areas at APIASF
College access: apia scholars manages the apia Scholarship, the aanapisi Scholarship, the apia scholars emergency Fund, and the gates millennium scholars/asian Pacific Islander americans Fund. Through these Scholarship programs, apia scholars has distributed more than $150 million in college scholarships to more than 8,100 deserving Asian and Pacific Islander American (apia) students across the country and in the Pacific islands. Our focus on multi-year scholarships removes financial barriers while promoting degree attainment.
Building knowledge: our research places scholars at the center and informs policymakers, higher education leaders, and other community stakeholders to increase educational opportunities and success for apia students. Through apia data stories we highlight critical areas of support for apia students nationwide, providing current and relevant data that equip institutions to provide culturally competent interventions in step with the trends of incoming college students. Based on our annual survey of Scholarship applicants, data stories illustrate the need and impact of scholarships while revealing apia groups that continue to be underserved and underrepresented. Apia scholars' native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (nhpi) research initiative is an ongoing (continued on schedule o)collaboration with aanapisi campuses serving significant numbers of nhpi students in the u.s.-affiliated Pacific islands, hawai'Hawaii'i and the u.s. Continent. The applied research fellowship program enables outstanding apia scholars alumni pursuing full-time masters and doctoral degrees to play a significant role in advancing the organization's student research and advocacy agenda. Fellows engage in projects informing the educational and workforce trajectory of apia students across the nation, including mental health & wellbeing, leadership & civic engagement, english learners, and anti-asian racism.
Student success and career development:upon receiving their Scholarship, scholars are invited to attend our annual elevating leaders summit, an exclusive event to help incoming scholars thrive on campus. Scholars immerse themselves in a community of understanding discussing justice issues impacting apias, examining personal and cultural identity, and hearing from speakers and panelists on strategies to navigate college. Building on els, students are invited to participate in our peer mentorship program with an apia scholars college senior supporting them along their academic journey. Formally launched in may 2021, the apia scholars mental health initiative, designed to destigmatize mental health support and provide accessible and culturally sensitive (continued on schedule o)resources was created as a result in a spike of mental health "insight flags" including depression, discrimination, dropping out, roommate conflict, and severe anxiety amongst scholars. Our student success programs remove barriers, build community, and supports transitions for students in their college journey.our career development programming expands students' mentorship and networking into their college to career transition. The industry experts series exposes scholars to various industries through panels of apia professionals. Through the semi-annual candid connections networking program, scholars and alumni grow their networks while also building community among peers and panelists from the greater apia community. The apia scholars professional mentorship program facilitates virtual mentorships with apia scholars and industry professionals, allowing for meaningful connection and skill development to empower future apia leaders. Lastly, apia scholars' industry fellowship program offers apia scholars and alumni an intensive curated fellowship program, created in partnership with our sponsors.