Chao Family Foundation Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Asian Pacific Community Fund

Description
**What this scholarship is**
This program awards five scholarships of $4,000 each to high school seniors who will enroll full time at a University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) in Fall 2026. Each scholarship is renewable for up to four years while the student remains eligible and enrolled. Awards are intended to offset tuition costs at the recipient’s institution and to support access to California public universities for students from Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Key takeaways
- Five awards of $4,000 each.
- Renewable for up to four years.
- For first‑year UC or CSU students entering Fall 2026.
- Focused on students from Los Angeles and Orange counties.
- Funds are intended for tuition expenses.

Eligibility
**Who may apply**
Applicants must be current high school seniors who reside in Los Angeles County or Orange County, California, and who plan to enroll as first‑year students at a UC or CSU campus in Fall 2026. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative unweighted high school GPA of 3.2. Household income must be at or below the County Low Income Level to qualify; the award is open to all majors and has no ethnicity requirement.

Key takeaways
- Residency: Los Angeles or Orange County.
- Status: High school seniors planning UC/CSU enrollment Fall 2026.
- GPA: Minimum cumulative unweighted 3.2.
- Income: Household at or below County Low Income Level.
- Open to all majors; no ethnicity criteria.

Award Value and Use
**Amount and permitted uses**
Each scholarship provides $4,000 per year and may be renewed annually for up to four years. Award funds are restricted to tuition costs as defined by the college or university the recipient attends. The renewable structure is designed to encourage continued enrollment and progress toward degree completion.

Key takeaways
- $4,000 per recipient annually.
- Renewable up to four years (subject to continued eligibility).
- Funds may be applied only to tuition charges.
- Renewable design supports degree completion.

Application Checklist
**Documents to prepare**
Applicants must submit a completed application form, a recommender form, and an official high school transcript. The program uses a common application system: completing the common application once will enter you for all scholarship programs for which you qualify. Additional verification documents may be requested of finalists after selection.

Key takeaways
- Required: Application form, recommender form, high school transcript.
- Use the common application once to apply to multiple scholarship opportunities.
- Prepare unofficial copies for your records; official transcript required for submission.
- Finalists may be asked for additional verification documents.

Application Timeline
**Key dates**
The application portal will go live in December 2025. Specific submission deadlines and the date selections are announced on the application portal—applicants should check the portal when it opens for the precise deadline. Plan ahead to obtain recommender input and an official transcript so you can submit well before the deadline.

Key takeaways
- Application opens: December 2025.
- Check the application portal for exact submission deadline and selection dates.
- Start early to secure recommender submissions and official transcript.
- Missing internal deadlines may jeopardize eligibility.

Submission Rules and Verification
**How submissions are handled**
All applications must be submitted online; hard copies will not be accepted. All materials must be RECEIVED by 11:59 pm PDT on the posted deadline—late submissions will not be considered regardless of postmark. If selected, recipients must provide verification documents, including a college acceptance letter and a 2024 or 2025 tax return (or other proof of household income) to confirm eligibility.

Key takeaways
- Online submission only; no hard‑copy submissions accepted.
- Materials must be received by 11:59 pm PDT on the portal’s deadline; late items are ineligible.
- Selected applicants must provide an acceptance letter and tax documentation for verification.
- Keep copies of everything submitted and confirm receipt online.

History of the Award
**Purpose and intent**
This scholarship was established to expand access to California’s public universities for students from Los Angeles and Orange counties who face financial barriers to college. The renewable design emphasizes long‑term support and student retention through degree completion. The award is intentionally open to all academic majors and does not impose ethnicity-based eligibility, focusing instead on geographic residence and household income.

Key takeaways
- Created to increase access to UC/CSU for low‑income county residents.
- Renewable structure supports sustained enrollment and completion.
- Focuses on geographic and income-based eligibility rather than major or ethnicity.
- Designed to reduce tuition barriers for first‑year students entering Fall 2026.