KACF-SF is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the Bay Area’s Korean American community and investing in the next generation of leaders. Through the Karen Ha Scholarship, we provide financial support and mentorship opportunities to talented, under-resourced Korean American students pursuing higher education.
The Karen Ha Scholarship was established by the family of Karen Ha to honor her legacy as a founding member and inaugural Board Co-Chair of KACF-SF. To learn more about the scholarship and Karen Ha’s lasting impact, visit www.kacfsf.org/karenha.2025 Timeline
April 10 - Scholarship Application Opens
April 17 - Online Webinar at 4 pm PT (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81157473988, video recording will be uploaded)
May 30 - Application Deadline
Week of June 16-20 - Virtual Interviews for Finalists
Week of July 7-11 - Scholarship Recipients Announced
Late July - Summer Gathering for All Scholarship Recipients
Guidelines
GENERAL INFORMATION
Each year, KACF-SF awards the Karen Ha Scholarship to two new students who demonstrate academic promise, leadership potential, and financial need.
Scholarship awards are:
$10,000 total ($2,500 per year, renewable for up to four years) for incoming freshmen enrolling at a four-year college or university
$5,000 total ($2,500 per year, renewable for up to two years) for transfer students enrolling as juniors from a community college to a four-year college or university
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
Grade Level:
Incoming freshman enrolling full-time at an accredited four-year college or university OR
Transfer student from a Bay Area community college enrolling full-time at an accredited four-year college or university
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or higher
Financial Need: Household’s pre-tax (gross) income must be under five times the 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size
Example: For a family of four, household income must be under $160,750 (5 x $32,150).
Residency: Must reside in one of the following Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, or Santa Clara
Transfer students must also be currently attending a community college within one of these counties
Citizenship Status:
Undocumented students with DACA status are eligible to apply
International students are not eligible to apply
Ethnic Heritage: Applicants must have Korean American heritage
SCHOLARSHIP RENEWAL
Scholarship recipients must:
Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher each academic year
Remain in good community standing
Submit a renewal application each year
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
One (1) letter of recommendation - emailed directly by an adult who knows you well (teacher, coach, employer, pastor, etc.)
Most recent transcript(s) - unofficial transcripts are accepted
SAT or ACT scores (optional)
Copy of your and/or your parent(s)’ most recent Federal Income Tax return (Form 1040)
Copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR) - available at: http://studentaid.gov/sa/fafsa
Supplemental materials (optional) - such as essay, artwork, website, video, or other creative work
SUBMISSION
Please submit all required documents via email to: scholarship@kacfsf.org
Recommendation letter should be sent directly from the recommender to: scholarship@kacfsf.org
If you have any questions, please feel free to conatct us at scholarship@kacfsf.org. Meet the Scholarship Committee
