Managing Student Loans

Given the high cost of college education in the United States, many Filipino American students seek for ways to help finance their higher education. Those who are financially in need and/or those who demonstrate impressive scholastic performances and achievements in various fields, may apply for grants and scholarships. Unlike loans, grants and scholarships need not be repaid.

There are funding agencies that offer educational grants and scholarships to Filipino American students who pass both the eligibility requirements and the very competitive selection process. Qualifications and other requirements depend on each grant-giving body or funding agency. Other than being of Filipino descent, and most of the time, being in need for financial support and maintaining good education standing, most of these institutions select applicants whose residency, background, or education are geared towards the vision and mission of the grant-giving body or funding agency. Most of those who offer these grants and scholarships are advocacy, artistic, and cultural organizations, along with more specific groups focusing in particular fields.

Filipino American Fund

Filipino American Fund at the Asian Pacific Fund office: 225 Bush St. Suite 590 San Francisco, CA 94104; 415-433-6859

While it initially provided only health and social services for Filipino Americans (immigrant, medical, and employment assistance, youth and senior projects, among other advocacy programs), the Filipino American Fund already offers financial assistance to Filipino American students as well. The fund now establishes specific scholarships and other funding projects in collaboration with the Asian Pacific Fund.

Through sponsors and donors from all over the United States, the fund further extends its various services for the benefit of Filipino immigrants and Filipino Americans born and raised in the United States.

The Filipino American Fund features projects such as: the Lapiz Family Scholarship for students who are farm workers or children of farm or migrant workers; the Maria Yuchengco Memorial Journalism Scholarship for students pursuing a career in journalism; and the Banatao Family Filipino American Education Fund for students pursuing a career in engineering, physical sciences, or biological sciences.

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Scholarship

National Council of Philippine American Canadian Accountants (Los Angeles): 11620 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 850 Los Angeles, CA 90025; 310-477-1066

The national professional organization for certified public accountants in the United States called the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) administers the AICPA Scholarships for Minority Accounting Students. One of their focuses is the joint venture with the National Council of Philippine American Canadian Accountants (NCPACA), a non-profit professional organization represented by 11 accounting organizations from key cities in the United States and Canada. Together, they offer the AICPA Scholarship for Filipino Accounting Students for full-time undergraduate Filipino American students majoring in accounting. Applications for this scholarship can be submitted to any of the Filipino Accounting Society found in major cities in North America.

For the complete requirements, interested students may inquire at any of the 11 member chapters of NCPACA: Filipino American Association of Accountants (Washington); Association of Filipino Accountants (Washington, D.C.); Association of Filipino American Accountants (New York City, New York); Association of Filipino American Accountants (New Jersey City, New Jersey); Philippine Certified Public Accountants of Greater Chicago (Chicago); Illinois Philippines American Association of Accountants (Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas); Texas Society of Philippine American CPAs (Houston, Texas); Philippine American Society of CPA’s (Los Angeles, California); Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (San Francisco, California); International Society of Young Filipino Accountants (San Bernardino, California); Filipino American Association of Accountants (Seattle, Washington); and Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants (Toronto, Canada).

FAHSI College Scholarship Program

FAHSI College Scholarship Program at The Philippine American Center: 185-14 Hillside Ave. Jamaica, NY 11432; 718-883-1295

Established in 2008, the Filipino American Human Services, Inc. (FAHSI) awards the FAHSI College Scholarship Program (FCSP) for students of Filipino descent who intend to pursue higher education. This scholarship program is available to those residing in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut Tri-State Area. They should be in good academic standing in their high school, have applied for admission to a four-year college as a full-time students, have passion for business (the scholarship doesn’t require the student to major in a business course), must demonstrate financial need, and must be active in the Filipino community in his/her area (through participation in youth programs or any high school Filipino student club)

FAHSI offers the Frederick and Demi Seguritan Scholarship to one Filipino/Filipino-American high school senior with passion for service to the Filipino American community and has interest in business.