New Scholarship Directory for Asian American and Pacific Islander Students

As the pressures of the economy place financial obstacles to Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, State Farm®, OCA, the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and the Asian American Studies Program at University of Maryland (AAST) collaborated to present the 2009-2011 National Directory of Scholarships, Internships, and Fellowships for Asian American and Pacific Islander Students. 

According to Camden Lee, an OCA intern and University of Maryland student, the directory is “an amazing resource that provides opportunities that I never even knew about.” Available at OCA & JACL events and online at www.aast.umd.edu, this one of a kind Directory includes information and resources for AAPI students and their families. 

“State Farm is pleased to offer this publication to assist students and parents make informed decisions about higher education.  Our commitment to education excellence for all students is a top priority as we help build safer, stronger, better-educated communities,”said Leslie Moe-Kaiser, corporate public affairs staff assistant at State Farm.

The Directory will be formally launched on July 14, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. during a briefing at the OCA National Center, located at 

"OCA believes this directory is important for AAPI students to prepare them to be future leaders,” said OCA National President Ken Lee. “OCA is happy to collaborate with our partners State Farm, AAST and JACL. As a scholarship and internship provider, OCA knows how empowering this information will be for our community.”

“Education and Scholarship is basic to the values of the AAPI family.  We are happy to provide this resource to assist our youth gain information and access to opportunities that are often hidden from their view.  We also thank our staff and associates for making this possible,” said JACL National Executive Director Floyd Mori.

Professor Larry Shinagawa, director of AAST, said: "The directory is a handy reference that can be used by all students and parents who are interested in finding the financial means and experiential resources to pursue higher education.  You will find here a wealth of information, tips, and resources that can help enable students to pursue a quality higher education.  The adage that education can never be taken from you and enables you to persevere and succeed continues to be the age-old truth.  We hope this directory serves the purposes of advancing educational opportunities to collegiate-age students of APA background.”