WHAT IS THE ICAN INSPIRE SCHOLARSHIP?
Our scholarship program awards a maximum of $4000 for four years for full-time undergraduate students at an accredited 4-year university ($1000 per year up to 4 years) or for community college ($500 for two years with an additional $500 for another two years when transferring to a 4-year university).
2024 Application is closed!
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2024 Application is closed! 〰️
WHO WE SERVE
Our scholarship is for the Vietnamese-American students within Santa Clara, Alameda, and San Joaquin counties pursuing higher education who lack or struggle with the financial abilities to do so.
WHAT WE DO
ICAN provides scholarships with a maximum of $4000 for 4 years for full-time undergraduate students at an accredited 4-year university ($1000 per year up to 4 years) or for community college ($500 per year up to 4 years) to qualifying students.
WHY IT MATTERS
In 2018, we expanded our focus to include working with youth in response to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, finding that only 27% of Vietnamese adults over 25 years of age hold at least a 4-year college degree – this is tremendously behind the rates of other Asian minorities: Indian (70%), Korean (53%), Chinese (51%), Filipino (47%), and Japanese (46%). Our scholarship pushes the youth in the Vietnamese-American community to not only pursue higher education but also give back to the community and build a stronger foundation from within. Students are the future of our community, and instead of just surviving in the world, they should be succeeding.
TESTIMONIALS
Emily Pham, 2023 Scholarship Cohort
“As a first-generation Vietnamese American and the eldest sister among my three siblings, I hold a deep appreciation for the ICAN Scholarship, which has granted me the opportunity to both make my family proud and pursue higher education.”
Jeanice Trat, 2023 Scholarship Cohort
“When I discovered ICAN, I found their mission of helping the next generation to be progressive and active members of their community beyond impactful and exactly what I wish to do. This scholarship will give so many people the opportunity to feel a part of such a compassionate network.”
Lan Nguyen, 2023 Scholarship Cohort
“My advice to future applicants of the ICAN Scholarship is simple: apply! Since receiving the scholarship, I feel more confident and believe that I will reach my goal soon. Life is not perfect, but the important thing is to try your best because you may succeed.”
WHEN & WHERE TO APPLY
Our 2024 INSPIRE Scholarship is CLOSED! Thank you to all who applied for 2024.
ELIGIBILITY/ RENEWAL CRITERIA
Be a full-time undergraduate student at an accredited 4-year university or community college in Fall 2023
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 for high school students/3.0 for college students
Demonstrate financial need
Be of Vietnamese descent
Be a resident of Santa Clara, Alameda, or San Joaquin counties
Be a US citizen or US legal resident
SELECTION CRITERIA
Service in the Vietnamese community and/or VSA, with preference given to service and community involvement through ICAN’s organization
Demonstrated Leadership
Academic Achievement
Financial Need
Academic and Career Goals
Personal Character (e.g., responsible, driven, able to overcome hardships)
