55 APIA college students will benefit from the program

Cision reports that fast food restaurant McDonald’s is committing $500,000 to the first ever McDonald’s/APIA Scholarship program, partnered with APIA Scholars.

55 Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) college students will benefit from the program.

15 four-year scholarships and 40 one-year scholarships will be awarded in Spring 2020 to college freshmen for the 2020-2021 academic year. APIA Scholars will award the students with the scholarship.

Only 25% of Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Southeast Asian Americans have college degrees. The top 10% of APIAs earn more than ten times the bottom 10% of APIAs.

“McDonald’s is very excited to launch the McDonald’s APIA Scholarship program to give a platform for APIA students to achieve their higher education dreams,” said William Cho, a Seattle McDonald’s Owner/Operator.

“We believe everyone deserves the chance to go to college, regardless of finances, and McDonald’s is committed to making that happen.”

“We are grateful to McDonald’s for their longstanding support and partnership in our mission to make a difference in the lives of APIA students,” said Noël S. Harmon, President and Executive Director, APIA Scholars.

“There are tremendous disparities within the APIA community, both economically and educationally, that are often overlooked. As a founding sponsor of APIA Scholars, McDonald’s has supported our efforts to address these disparities. We are grateful to McDonald’s for recognizing the need and working with us to make a difference.”

To apply for the McDonald’s/APIA Scholarship, visit the APIA Scholars website. Applicants must apply by5:00 PM EST on 22 January 202 and must meet the following requirements:

  • Be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by the U.S. Census
  • Be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States. Citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau are also eligible to apply
  • Be enrolling as an undergraduate student in a U.S. accredited college or university in the Fall 2020
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted) or have earned a GED
  • Must apply for federal financial aid for the 2020-2021 academic year using the Free Application for the Federal Student Aid (FASFA) by early April 2020
  • Submit one letter of recommendation online