Paying for college in the United States is not easy for every student. Tuition, books, housing and everyday expenses can quickly add up, which is why scholarships can make a meaningful difference.
The KASF Scholarship 2026-27 is one such opportunity for students studying in the United States. The Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) provides financial assistance to eligible students at different stages of education, with awards generally ranging from $500 to $5,000.
There is one important detail that applicants should understand before doing anything else: KASF does not run one single application process for the entire country. The foundation is divided into seven regions, and students must apply through the region where their school is located.
KASF Scholarship at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship provider | Korean American Scholarship Foundation |
| Study location | United States |
| Award range | $500–$5,000 |
| Main applicants | Students of Korean heritage |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 cumulative GPA |
| Enrollment | Full-time |
| Education levels | High school, college, graduate and professional school |
| Application system | Regional |
| 2026-27 status | Applications closed |
The award amount and specific requirements can vary by scholarship and region, so students should check the details for their own KASF chapter before applying.
Who is KASF Scholarship for?
KASF primarily supports students of Korean heritage who are studying in the United States. This can include students with a Korean parent, grandparent or great-grandparent, as well as certain students adopted from Korea, depending on the applicable regional rules.
Citizenship does not automatically prevent a student from applying. KASF specifically states that students of Korean heritage studying in the United States can apply regardless of citizenship status, including Korean nationals.
The foundation also says that non-Korean students may qualify for certain scholarships if additional funds are available. Descendants of American veterans who served during the Korean War may also qualify for specific scholarships in selected regions.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
Although individual regional programmes may have additional rules, KASF lists several basic requirements.
Applicants generally need to:
- Have Korean heritage for the standard KASF scholarship
- Be enrolled as a full-time student in the United States during the scholarship year
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
KASF supports students at different educational levels, including high school, college, graduate school and professional programmes such as law and medical school.
A student who is not currently enrolled but has documentation showing that they will attend school full-time during the scholarship year may also be eligible under certain regional rules.
The Region You Choose Matters
This is probably the most important part of the KASF application.
KASF is organised into seven regional chapters, and students cannot simply choose whichever region they prefer. The correct region is determined by the location of the school they will attend during the scholarship year.
KASF clearly states that applicants should apply only to the region where their school is located. An application submitted to the wrong region can be disqualified.
So, for example, a student attending a university in California should not select a region based on their home address if the university belongs to another KASF chapter.
Before starting the application, check the official KASF regional map and select the state where your school is located.
What Does the Scholarship Pay?
KASF scholarships generally range from $500 to $5,000.
There is no single fixed amount that every recipient receives. The amount can depend on the particular scholarship, available funding and regional programme.
KASF also offers special scholarship opportunities. One example is the KASF-KIA Scholarship, which is available to students meeting additional requirements. Applicants for this programme need at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA and must be pursuing an eligible STEM or Business Administration degree. Selected recipients may receive a higher award amount, with the exact amount communicated directly to them.
What KASF Looks At During Selection
A high GPA can help, but it is not the only factor considered.
KASF says applicants are evaluated using several areas, including:
- Financial need
- Academic achievement
- Recommendations
- Essay
- Community service
- Extracurricular activities
That makes the application more than a simple academic competition. A student with good grades should still take time to explain their financial situation, academic goals, activities and personal achievements clearly.
Recommendations and the essay can also give the selection committee a better understanding of the applicant beyond their transcript.
What Documents Should You Prepare?
The exact document requirements depend on the scholarship and regional chapter.
Applicants may be asked to provide academic information, recommendation materials, essays and financial documentation. International students and self-supporting students may have additional financial-document requirements.
KASF’s FAQ says that supporting documents uploaded to an application generate a confirmation email. The organisation also provides guidance for students whose parents live outside the United States and do not have a US tax return.
It is better to check your regional application page before collecting documents because requirements can differ.
How to Apply for KASF Scholarship
The application itself is online, but the first step is not filling out a form. It is finding the correct KASF region.
Here is the simplest way to approach it:
1. Check your eligibility
Make sure you meet the basic heritage, enrollment and GPA requirements.
2. Find your school region
Go to the official KASF application page and select the state where your school is located.
3. Read the regional requirements
Check whether your region has additional requirements, scholarship categories or document instructions.
4. Choose the appropriate scholarship category
Depending on your education level and circumstances, you may have more than one applicable category.
5. Prepare your supporting documents
Have your academic records, recommendation information, essay and financial documents ready where required.
6. Submit the online application
Complete the application through the appropriate regional KASF page before its deadline.
KASF says students can apply for more than one applicable scholarship category, but they can only be awarded one scholarship category.
KASF Scholarship Apply date
The regular KASF application deadline listed in its FAQ is June 30. However, applicants should always follow the deadline shown on their specific regional application page and check the current scholarship cycle before submitting anything.
For the 2026-27 scholarship year, applications are currently closed, according to the official KASF website.
Students who missed the current cycle should not submit an old application or rely on an outdated deadline. The better approach is to check KASF when the next application period opens.
Can International Students Apply?
Yes. KASF’s official FAQ states that international students attending school in the United States can apply if they meet the relevant requirements.
This is useful for students who may assume that only US citizens can apply. KASF’s eligibility rules specifically address students studying in the US regardless of citizenship status.
However, international applicants should pay close attention to the financial documentation instructions because their circumstances may be different from those of students whose families file US tax returns.
Official KASF Links
For applications and the latest requirements, students should use KASF’s official website rather than third-party scholarship directories.
Official KASF Website:
Korean American Scholarship Foundation
Scholarship Information:
KASF Scholarship Details & Qualifications
Application Page:
KASF Apply Now
Scholarship FAQ:
KASF Scholarship FAQ
The application page is particularly important because it helps students identify the correct regional chapter based on their school location.
The KASF Scholarship can be a useful source of financial assistance for students studying in the United States, especially those who meet the foundation’s Korean heritage requirements.
The biggest thing to remember is that KASF is regional. Your school location determines where you apply, and the scholarship amount and additional requirements can vary between regions.
For the 2026-27 cycle, applications are already closed. If you are planning for a future cycle, checking the official KASF application page early is the safest way to find the correct region, updated requirements and opening date.
Rather than waiting until the deadline, prospective applicants can use the time beforehand to organise their academic records, recommendations, financial documents and application essay. That preparation can make the actual application process considerably easier.