The US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC) is accepting applications for the Ruth Mu-Lan Chu and James S. C. Chao Scholarship.  Their daughter Elaine L. Chao established this scholarship with USPAACC in 2000.  It is given to a female Asian American high school senior who has demonstrated not only academic excellence, but who is also actively involved in volunteer community service and will be pursuing post-secondary education at an accredited educational institution in the United States. The scholarship is valued up to $5,000.

Award recipients will be announced at the 21^s Annual Excellence Awards program, which will be held in Chicago, IL May 15-17, 2006, during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.  The Annual Excellence Awards recognize the contributions Asian Americans have made toward education, business, arts, entertainment, sports, science, public and community service. 

Scholarship Criteria

The applicant should be:

• Female and at least 16 years of age at time of application

•  A citizen or permanent resident of the United States

•  Beginning full-time study at an accredited post-secondary educational institution in the United States Fall 2006

•  Able to attend the 21^st  Annual Excellence Awards program May 15-17, 2006 in Chicago, IL

The applicant should demonstrate:

• Academic excellence with a 3.5 GPA or higher

•  Community service involvement

• Financial need

Application Instructions

The applicant should furnish the following, paper clipped in the required order below:

• An application for the Asian American Scholarship with a 2 x 2 crisp headshot (scanned pictures will not be accepted; staple the upper right hand corner of the photo in the photo area of the application)

•  An additional attachment (if necessary) for extracurricular activities, academic honors, and community service activities (max 2 pages)

• An essay of 500 words on Why I Need This Scholarship, typed, double-spaced and signed by you and your academic guidance counselor in the upper right hand corner 

• A 100 word bio

• Information on your proposed post-secondary course of study (major) and associated costs (tuition/room/board from one university you are applying to)

• Transcripts from your high school capturing the past two years of coursework

• Two letters of recommendation from those listed as references in the application: (1) one from your high school, and (1) one from a community service organization (recommendations must be in sealed envelopes)

•  Please send the requested information only; do not send additional materials

NOTE: The above application materials must be sent together in one complete package. Please pay special attention to all instructions. Failure to follow instructions is grounds for withdrawal of your application for consideration.

Award Information

• Must be used for a full-time course of study at an accredited college and/or university commencing in the Fall of 2006

• Will be paid directly to the recipient’s college and/or university

• Will not pay for correspondence courses, internet courses or study in a country other than the United States

Scholarship Recipients:

Application Form (Closed)