» Asian/Asian American Applicants

Financing your education

We understand the importance of making education accessible. This is why we offer financial resources that make attending college more affordable, so cost should not prevent you from applying.

• Every student who applies to Chapman is considered for a merit scholarship, which can be as high as $40,000 per year.
• Chapman offers need-based aid in addition to other awards, which is determined by your FAFSA form and family's circumstances. 
• Talent/departmental awards can also be combined with other awards and are determined on an individual basis by academic and university departments.

Outside scholarships

Unless otherwise noted, these scholarships are open to all Asian/Asian American students pursuing higher education. In most cases, these scholarships can be combined with awards you receive from Chapman or other institutions.

Details of each scholarship are subject to change, so make sure to check the scholarship's website for the most up-to-date details. 

• Cecilia Moy Yep Scholarship Fund: Awarded to female Asian American high school students who have made a positive and lasting impact on their local community through service and leadership.
  • Application deadline: March 20
• Gates Scholarship: Awarded to pell-eligible, Asian American or Pacific Islander high school seniors pursuing college education.
  • Application deadline: September 15
• Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship: Awarded to Asian American high school seniors and college students who exhibit exemplary leadership, vision, and passion for the Asian American community.
  • Application deadline: May 31
• Kao Kalia Yang Scholarship Program: Awarded to students of Hmong descent who are seniors in a U.S. high school and have a 2.0 GPA or higher.
  • Application deadline: April 3
• Korean Ancestry Grant: Awarded to students of Asian ancestry, preferably Korean ancestry, with at least one Asian grandparent.
  • Application deadline: April 1
• Matt Fong Asian Americans in Public Finance Scholarship: Awarded to full-time undergraduate students at a four year college/university in California who are of Asian heritage (at least 50%) and are interested in a career serving the public sector.
  • Applicants must be majoring in Social Science, Accounting, Business Administration, or related fields.
  • Preference is given to those with interest in public sector work or those with community service and community advocacy.
  • Application deadline: April 15
• Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund: Awarded to high school seniors and first-year college students who hold U.S. citizenship and are a direct descendant of a Taiwanese citizen. They must also live at or below the poverty level and hold a 3.0 GPA or higher.
  • Application deadline: April 3

Chapman clubs, organizations and opportunities

Chapman offers many culture-based clubs, including several for Asian/Asian American cultures. Some examples include:

• Asian Pacific Student Association: The representing student organization for those who identify with/are interested in Asian and Pacific Islander culture.
  
• Chinese American Student Association: Hosts cultural activities such as playing traditional games like mahjong and Chinese chess, learning simple phrases to help further campus understanding the Chinese culture, taking group trips to Chinese food fairs and night markets, and celebrating Chinese holidays.
• Chapman Kapamilya: Creates a safe space for students to share, engage, educate, and spread the Filipino culture to the rest of the Chapman community.
• Korean-American Student Association: Provides an educational and safe space for social opportunities where students (Korean and non-Korean) can learn about and engage with Korean culture and history.
• Nikkei Student Union: Creates a space for the Japanese-American (JA), the Japanese community, and students at Chapman to learn about Japanese culture, meet new people, and share experiences.
• South Asian Student Association: Provides a place for students whose cultural roots come from the South Asian continent, where events and programs are tailored to spread diversity and cultural awareness and help students engage in traditional festivities.
• Taiwanese Student Association: Hosts bi-weekly meetings on campus celebrating and discussing Taiwanese culture, with food/activity outings on alternate weeks. 
• Vietnamese Student Association: A social and cultural club that brings students together to celebrate Vietnamese and Vietnamese-American heritage.

Admitted students can also learn about and join clubs in-person at the Student Involvement Fair, which takes place once every semester.

Chapman resources

Chapman takes pride in supporting Asian/Asian American students from orientation through graduation. This involves:

Orientation opportunities

• Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Orientation Welcome Reception: At Orientation, you can attend a welcome reception where you will meet staff and faculty who provide resources and support for students of diverse backgrounds and identities. 
• Orientation Affinity Socials: During orientation, you will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with other students and staff who are part of the Asian/Asian American Affinity group. Students may also attend and meet with as many affinity groups as they identify with.

Current student opportunities

• Cross-Cultural Center: Provides students with a safe space, and offers programs and services intended to affirm the value of and support students from underrepresented identities.
• Asian Pacific Islander desiAmerican (APIda) Association: Connects students with a network of faculty, staff, peers, and alumni who are of the Asian/Asian Pacific Islander desiAmerican heritage.

Graduation opportunities

• APDIA (Asian Pacific Desi Islander American) graduation: An annual celebration that takes place to honor the achievements of Chapman’s Asian/Asian American students, in addition to the official university commencement ceremonies that all students participate in.

Coming to Chapman from outside the area?

Around 24% of those living in Southern California are Asian/Asian American. 

The Asian/Asian American community around Chapman provides countless cultural events and experiences for students, especially since there are sizable communities in Orange County and Los Angeles for several Asian nationalities, including Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese neighborhoods.

Some cultural events that occur closer to the Chapman community for Asian/Asian American students include:

• Orange International Street Fair (Held in Old Towne Orange, a 5-minute walk from Orange Campus): Every September, the Orange Circle hosts a food fair with a wide variety of booths representing cuisines from around the world, including Chinese, Filipino and Japanese. 
• Asian Pacific Food Fest (10 miles from Orange Campus): Held every May in honor of Asian Pacific Heritage Month, South Coast Plaza hosts an event that showcases signature dishes from a range of Asian-owned and operated restaurants, accompanied by live music.
• 626 Night Market (12 miles from Orange Campus): Held in August, the 626 Night Market is an all-inclusive festival of Asian foods and goodies with food trucks, stands, street vendors, music, and more. 
• UVSA Tết Festival (12 miles from Orange Campus): Held in January, the Tết Festival is a Vietnamese celebration of the Lunar New Year with live entertainment, festive games and rides, food and a fireworks show.

Local restaurants close to campus

There are several Asian restaurants in Old Towne Orange, which is a short walking distance from our Orange Campus. These include:

• Thai Towne Eatery 
• O Dumpling Bar
• Hanano Ramen
• Wazabi Sushi
• Butaton Ramen
• Tabu Shabu (Japanese-style hot pot)

Additionally, the city of Costa Mesa (15 minutes from Orange Campus) hosts a vibrant and diverse Asian food scene, being named "the ramen capital of Orange County" by the Orange County Register.

Academic opportunities

At Chapman, we support academic endeavors to learn more about Asian countries, cultures, and languages at home and abroad.

Asian American Studies minor

Our Asian American Studies minor allows students to explore the intersections of race, gender, citizenship, ethnicity, and disability within Asian American histories, experiences, and cultural production.

Chinese programs

• Major in Global Communications and World languages – Chinese: Provides courses in both language and culture across all levels of difficulty.
• Chinese Minor: Allows students to engage with and learn the Chinese language and culture.

Japanese programs

• Major in Global Communications and World languages – Japanese: Provides students with the knowledge and tools of Japanese history, as well as a sense of roots and broader perspective on the diverse regions and peoples of the world.
• Japanese Minor: Allows students to learn the Japanese language to improve communication and cognitive skills.

You will be able to add minors once you begin taking classes at Chapman. You can learn more about majors and minors here.

Study abroad opportunities

Chapman encourages the incorporation of studying abroad as a significant element of the complete college experience. Oftentimes, it's more affordable than anticipated and will still enable you to graduate on time!

• You can choose to pursue a semester-long program, an interterm travel course, or a summer travel course that is much shorter in duration. 
• Through Chapman’s Center for Global Education, you can find additional scholarships for studying abroad by identity and location, as well as guidance in finding a program that best suits your wants and needs.

Opportunities to explore Asian heritage abroad

If you are interested in learning more about your heritage and fully immersing yourself in Asian culture, the Center for Global Education offers programs in Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, and Japan. 

You can find more information about studying abroad as an Asian/Asian American student on our BIPOC Students Abroad page.

Language requirements

At Chapman, you are required to take language classes to earn your degree.

But if you can speak, read and write in a language besides English proficiently, you can test out of some or all of your language classes with a language exam. 

You can learn more about this process on our Language exams page.