Scholarship Program

JACL Chicago Scholarship Program

KEY DATES:

Application Deadline – 11:59 PM Central Time, Sunday, March 1, 2026

NEW: All application materials, including the completed and signed application form and supplemental pages, official transcript(s), and recommendation letters, should be sent by email to scholarships@jaclchicago.org. Official transcript(s) and recommendations should be emailed directly by the issuing institution/recommender.

JACL Chicago Scholarship Program Guidelines – 2026 Scholarship Application Coming Soon

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) is the nation’s oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization whose mission is to advance social justice and promote the legacy and cultural heritage of the Japanese American community.

The Chicago Chapter of JACL offers scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $5,000+ to undergraduate and graduate students who have demonstrated a commitment to JACL’s mission. Scholarships are awarded based on an applicant’s understanding of and alignment with JACL’s mission, as well as academic performance and extracurricular involvement. Scholarships are open to all, regardless of race or ethnicity. Previous JACL Chicago scholarship winners applying for a second award must demonstrate sustained engagement with JACL.

Funding for scholarships is provided by generous donations from JACL Chicago members and the greater Chicago Japanese American community.

All application materials are due by email to scholarships@jaclchicago.org by 11:59 PM Central time on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Awards will be distributed at the annual Scholarship Luncheon on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

For more information, contact Christine Munteanu, JACL Chicago Scholarship Committee Chair, at scholarships@jaclchicago.org.

Eligibility

• JACL Membership: Applicants who have not previously received a JACL Chicago scholarship do not need to be JACL members to apply for a scholarship. If selected to receive a scholarship, first-time winners will receive a one-year student membership to JACL Chicago as part of their award. Previous winners must have a current student or individual JACL Chicago membership valid through the end of 2026.
• Enrollment Status: Applicants must be full-time students at an accredited college, university, or other institution of higher learning in the United States for the fall of 2026. Students deferring enrollment will not qualify for the 2026 scholarship program. Awards are contingent on proof of enrollment.
• Residency: Applicants must be residents of the State of Illinois (although attendance at schools outside of Illinois is permissible) OR actively enrolled in an accredited Illinois university, college, or institution of higher learning at the time of application.
• Limits: JACL Chicago scholarship winners are limited to receiving a total of two (2) awards in their lifetime.
• Scholarship Luncheon: All scholarship winners are required to attend the 2026 Scholarship Luncheon on Sunday, May 17, 2026 in order to receive their award.  Any awardee who does not attend without prior approval from the scholarship committee will forfeit their award.
• Taxes: Scholarship awards may be considered taxable income. Awardees are responsible for reporting their award accordingly.

How to Apply

• Download the 2026 Scholarship Application here
• Download the 2026 Scholarship Guidelines here
  *2/25/2026: Please note the corrected and updated 2026 Scholarship Application and Guidelines documents, linked above. The change to the Application is under 4. Social Justice Involvement: Use this section to list activities, programs, initiatives, etc. that you have been a part of within the last four years only that align with JACL’s mission of promoting social justice. Please provide short descriptions of your involvement and contributions, including years involved, organization mission (if applicable), leadership positions, awards received, etc.
• NEW: All application materials, including the completed and signed application form and supplemental pages, official transcript(s), and recommendation letters, should be sent by email to scholarships@jaclchicago.org. Official transcript(s) and recommendations should be emailed directly by the issuing institution/recommender.
• All application materials, including official transcript(s) and recommendations, must be received by 11:59 PM Central Time on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered.
  

• Applicants will receive an email confirmation upon receipt of all materials.

• Applicants will be notified of the Scholarship Committee’s decision in April 2026. All decisions of the Scholarship Committee are final.

For questions or more information, contact Christine Munteanu, JACL Chicago Scholarship Committee chair, at scholarships@jaclchicago.org.

NOTE: The Japanese American Citizens League administers a National Scholarship Program that is separate and independent from the JACL Chicago Scholarship Program. For information about the JACL National ScholarshipProgram, please visit: www.jacl.org/jacl-national-scholarship-program.