2026 JAA Scholarships for College

2026 JAA Scholarships for College Guidelines

 

For graduating high school students of Japanese heritage JAANY has been awarding scholarships to since 1971. The APPLICANTS must live in the New York tri-state area and apply to U.S. institutions of higher learning. SEE BELOW FOR REQUIREMENTS. We have awarded more than 400 scholarships to high school seniors IN THE PAST

In the past, scholarships have been awarded in the range of $1,000.00 to $12,000.00 and airline tickets to Japan may also be awarded to certain scholarship recipients this year.

We plan to hold an awards presentation at the Harvard Club on May 27, 2026.
Keynote Speaker is Dr. Joshua W. Walker, President and CEO of Japan Society and Co-Chairs are Mr. Hiroshi Kawano, Executive Chairman of the Board, MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation, and Mr. Satoru Murase, JAA Vice President.

Requirements:

 

 

  • A completed application form with one passport size photo.

  • A double-spaced essay not exceeding 500 words on one of the following topics:
    a) With the turbulent geopolitical times, how can Japanese and Americans cooperate better towards a more peaceful world.
    b) The JAA has served the community for over 120 years. How do you think JAA can do better and serve your younger generation?

  • Your latest school transcript AND a copy of SAT or ACT scores.

  • A letter of recommendation from your school counselor or teacher.

  • Membership in JAA. If no one in your family is a member of JAA, a membership form is available at www.jaany.org . Please call the JAA office with any questions.

  • You must be attending a four- year college in the United States in the fall of 2026.

  • Scholarship cash awards should be used for tuition or other closely related costs.

    The deadline for applications is Monday, May 4, 2026, noon

     

    Submission Instructions:

    Please submit your application through our online form or you can download the Word file and email it to info@jaany.org or noda@jaany.org , or postal mail to the address below.

    JAA Scholarship Committee
    Japanese American Association of New York, Inc.

    49 West 45th Street, 5th Floor
    New York, NY 10036
    E-mail address: noda@jaany.org or info@jaany.org

    Applications may be sent via e-mail or postal mail. However, letters of recommendation and transcripts, if sent electronically, must be sent from the issuer (not student applicant) AND the original signed/stamped copies submitted by mail.

    INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE REVIEWED.

    All applicants will be notified of the results of their application.
    If you have any questions, please call us at 212-840-6942.

     

    2026 JAA Scholarship Committee 

     

    JAA RESERVES ALL RIGHTS AND THE SOLE DISCRETION IN THE SELECTION OR CHANGES TO AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDEE SELECTION AND ANY MATTERS RELATING TO THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

    55 th JAA Scholarship Awardees/第55回ＪＡＡ奨学金受賞者 (Total $84,000)

    (for graduating high school students)

     

    1. The Hiroko Murase Family Scholarship　村瀬ファミリー賞 ($12,000 plus Round-Trip Air Ticket to Japan, courtesy of All Nippon Airways)
      Keita Horiko
      Collegiate School, will attend University of Pennsylvania
    2. MUFG Scholarship　MUFG賞 ($10,000)
      Adrien Godefroy Akira Bouvard
      Riverdale Country School, will attend Stanford University
    3. Eri Kakuta Scholarship　カクタ・エリ賞 ($8,000)
      Hanako April Stepper
      Trinity School, will attend NYU Tisch School of the Arts
    4. Dr. Soji Tomikawa Scholarship　富川宗次博士賞 ($7,500)
      Jun Shimada
      Professional Children’s School, will attend The Juilliard School
    5. Mitsubishi Corporation (America) Scholarship 米国三菱商事財団賞 ($5,000)
      Jolie Grace Gruson
      The Bronx High School of Science, will attend University of Michigan
    6. Mitsui USA Foundation Scholarship 米国三井US財団賞 ($5,000)
      Ryo Ide
      Harrison High School, will attend University of California
    7. Orient Corporation of America Scholarship 米国オリエントコーポレーション賞 ($5,000)
      Ayaka Utsumi
      Sleepy Hollow High School, will attend Johns Hopkins University
    8. Tokyo Marine America Scholarship 東京海上火災アメリカ財団賞 ($5,000)
      Asa Taku Hoshino Glassman
      Columbia High School, will attend UC Berkeley, Haas School of Business
    9. Yayoi Asoma Memorial Scholarship 遊馬やよいメモリアル賞 ($5,000)
      Julia Sakura Onishi
      Pearl River High School, will attend Vassar College, Haverford College, Binghamton University, Stony Brook University, Swarthmore College, Smith College
    10. Dr. Robert K. Emy Scholarship　江見啓司ロバート医学博士賞 ($5,000)
      Keita Takahashi
      Jericho High School, will attend Emory University
    11. Ichinohe & Horishige Scholarship　一戸＆堀重賞 ($5,000)
      Evan Keito Friedman-Ogino
      Paul D. Schreiber High School, will attend University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business
    12. Dr. George Nagamatsu and Mrs. Kazuko Nagamatsu Scholarship　永松ジョージ医学博士＆永松和子賞 ($5,000)
      Leo Osuke Langley
      Bergen County Technical High School, will attend University of California (UCSD)
    13. NHK Cosmomedia America Scholarship NHKコスモメディア・アメリカ賞 ($3,000)
      Noni Hardaway
      The Bronx High School of Science, will attend Northwestern University
    14. Ambassador Shinichi Nishimiya Scholarship 西宮伸一大使賞 ($2,500)
      Akihito Shinozaki
      Eastchester High School, will attend University of Minnesota
    15. ANA Japan Travel Scholarship全日空ジャパン・トラベル賞 ($1,000 from JAA plus Round Trip Air Ticket to Japan, courtesy of All Nippon Airways)
      Thomas Christopher McKinney
      Greenwich High School, will attend Cornell University

    The JAA reserves the right to review the conditions and procedures for this scholarship program and make changes at any time.