Minnesota Association for Korean Americans Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Minnesota Association for Korean Americans

The Minnesota Association for Korean Americans (MAKA) is pleased to announce the availability of a select number of scholarships for Minnesota high school seniors of Korean descent who are planning to further their education at the collegiate level.

The primary aim of these scholarships is to bolster the self-confidence of students with Korean heritage and to motivate them to pursue a college degree. We strongly encourage all eligible individuals to apply.

The MAKA Scholarship Committee will meticulously review the application materials submitted by each student. The selected recipients will be awarded a one-time scholarship of $1500. Additionally, an extra $500 will be awarded to the top applicant, whether they excel in athletics, arts, STEM fields, or essay writing.

Eligibility Criteria for 2025/2026 Scholarships:

- Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Must be a Minnesota High School Senior in the 2025-2026 academic year
- Must have Korean heritage (at least 25% biologically Korean)
- Must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Must be able to attend the awards ceremony (Celebrating Tomorrow) in Spring 2026

How to Apply:

Applications should include the following:

1. Completed application form and a photograph of the applicant (JPEG file preferred)
2. Official high school transcript of the last two school years (A scan or photo is acceptable; it does not have to be a sealed copy from a third party)
3. (Optional) PSAT/SAT or ACT scores (PDF file)
4. Scholarship essay of 400-650 words on one of the following topics:
- Topic 1: "The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?"
- Topic 2: "What does it mean to be Korean American in Minnesota?"

Please note that application-related materials will not be returned. If you wish to be considered as a top student, you must submit your test scores (ACT/SAT/AP). If you wish to be considered as a top athlete, please submit detailed information about your honors/awards. AI-generated essays will be disqualified from MAKA Scholarship consideration.

Application Process:

The 2025/2026 application opens on August 13, 2025. Applicants may apply via one of the following options:

- Online: http://makaweb.org
- Mail: MAKA, P.O. Box 390553, Edina, MN 55439

All materials must be received by 11:59 pm CDT on September 30, 2025. After the application deadline, changes to applications will no longer be accepted. Awardees will be notified on October 15, 2025. MAKA intends to award 10-15 scholarships this year.

Evaluation criteria are as follows: 1/3 the essay, 1/3 awards/honors, 1/3 extracurricular activities. All applications are reviewed and discussed by the MAKA Scholarship Committee. Decisions of the Committee are final.