Qualification Criteria
At the heart of the NIPOC Scholarship is a simple belief: every motivated student deserves the chance to build a hopeful, empowered future regardless of financial circumstance, background, or the obstacles they’ve had to overcome. We know that talent and determination exist in every community, and that need can look different for every family. The criteria below are meant to open doors, not close them. helping us direct support to students who are ready to make the most of this opportunity, while staying true to the values of community, service, and shared responsibility that guide our work.
We welcome applicants from all walks of life – first-generation college students, students from mixed-status families, those balancing school with work or caregiving responsibilities, and anyone who has shown resilience in pursuing their education against real odds. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, we encourage you to apply.
- Enrollment Status – We support students who are actively pursuing their education: currently enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university or accepted for enrollment in the upcoming academic year. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or continuing toward a degree, we want to walk alongside you.
- Financial Need – Our support goes to families for whom the cost of education — tuition, fees, and daily living expenses create real hardship. We understand that financial need doesn’t always look the same from family to family, and we’re committed to evaluating each application with care and context. Eligibility is assessed through a standardized application, reviewed thoughtfully by the scholarship committee with an eye toward the full picture of a student’s circumstances.
- Academic Standing – We believe in investing in students who show up for their own future, however that journey has unfolded. Applicants must reflect a genuine commitment to academic growth. We are looking for effort, dedication, and forward motion, not perfection.
- Volunteer and Leadership Experience – Service and leadership are at the core of who we are, and we recognize that community involvement takes many forms. Applicants are asked to share their story of community involvement. We want to understand how you’ve already begun giving back, in whatever way was available to you, because that spirit is exactly what this scholarship is meant to nurture. Please see the section on community service for more details.
- Residency and Citizenship – This scholarship is open to members of Iranian communities with legal immigration status in the United States, including students from diverse family and immigration backgrounds. As an organization rooted in California, we give preference to students living in the communities we serve, while keeping the door open to applicants nationwide. We also welcome applications from communities of color and need. For non-Iranian applicants, please apply here.
- Use of Aid – The NIPOC Scholarship is intended to ease the real, everyday cost of pursuing a college education. Funds can be put toward tuition and mandatory fees, textbooks and course materials, housing and living expenses, transportation to and from campus, and technology needed for coursework, such as a laptop or internet access. We recognize that the cost of education extends well beyond tuition alone, and our aim is to help relieve the financial pressure that can make it harder for a student to stay focused on their studies.
Our goal is not to find reasons to say no, it’s to find every reason we can to say yes. If you’re a motivated student facing financial need, we want to hear your story. Please apply.