How to Apply

2026 High School Graduate (Entering Freshman) Scholarship 

The 2026 scholarship application period is open. Completed applications and transcripts will be required to be postmarked no later than Friday, April 3, 2026.

Scholarship recipients must be current JACL members. Regular/Individual, Student/Youth, or Couple/Family membership status is required. Individual membership of a parent does not qualify the student to receive a scholarship. If, for financial reasons, the scholarship applicant would like to be considered for a one-time membership grant, contact scholarship@tcjacl.org before submitting the application.

In addition to completing the application form and submitting a transcript, students must write a short essay titled “How JACL Has Affected My Life Or The Lives Of People I Know.” The essay should explain how JACL has affected the applicant, or how the applicant has directly observed JACL affect a family member, or someone they know in the community. Specific examples and personal observations should be used to explain why this experience is meaningful to the applicant. The essay should focus on real people and real experiences rather than broad or academic descriptions of the history or mission of the JACL.

Applicants are evaluated based on scholastic achievement, extra curricular activities, community service, and the quality of their essay.

The 2026 scholarship applications and additional information can be found at the links below.

2026 Scholarship Application Form MS Word

2026 Scholarship Application pdf

2026 Introduction Letter to Applicants

To recommend someone for a scholarship, please contact Pam Ohno Dagoberg (scholarship@tcjacl.org).

2026 Undergraduate/Graduate Scholarship application period is closed. The 2026 Undergraduate/Graduate scholarship applications will be available on September 1, 2026. 

The 2026 scholarships will be available to JACL – Twin Cities Chapter members enrolled in a post-secondary educational program in the 2026-27 school year.  JACL membership must be active as of September 1, 2026. Completed 2026 Undergraduate/Graduate scholarship applications and transcripts will be required to be postmarked by November 1, 2026. Only one scholarship may be received during degree program.  For your reference, the 2025 applications can be accessed by clicking on a link below, available in MS Word form or a printable pdf. 

Other available scholarships:

(Note: these are separate programs from the Twin Cities JACL Chapter’s scholarship program, with different applications and requirements.  Information about these scholarships are included below for your awareness.)

2026 National JACL Scholarship information can be found here.  The National JACL scholarship program is a separate program from the Twin Cities Chapter of the JACL scholarship program with unique requirements, deadlines, and a separate application..