Against the Grain Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship is one of ATG’s funding award given to a select group of outstanding Asian American high school seniors, college undergraduates, and graduate students. Against the Grain is committed to assisting future Asian American artists and leaders who are shining examples of what it means to Go Against the Grain.
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About Against the Grain scholarship
The first scholarships launched by Against the Grain is Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship and Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship. Through these scholarships, Against the Grain annually awards study funding to selected students to cover student expenses.
In 2015, Against the Grain launched the #LiveLikeLyly Memorial Scholarship, a new scholarship for aspiring fashion and graphic design students named after Lyly Koenig Mendez, an aspiring fashion designer who died from cancer in January 2015. In 2016, they added the Lily Pabilona Emerging Entrepreneur Scholarship, which recognizes students majoring or concentrating in entrepreneurship. ATG also announced the addition of the Thear Sy Suzuki R.I.S.E. Scholarship in 2022 for students who have demonstrated the ability to rise above adversity, demonstrated the ability to lift others, and demonstrated exemplary servant leadership in the Asian American community and beyond.
Since the inception of our scholarship in 2011, ATG has awarded 64 scholarships totaling nearly $100,000.
Scholarship finalists and winners are chosen by a panel of judges based on the strength of their GPA, community involvement and leadership, personal essay, portfolio and/or video submission, and personal interview, all of which represent the spirit of Against The Grain Productions.
Many students who read this piece also apply for AGBU Scholarship
Against the Grain Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship worth
The worth of the scholarship is $1,500. This fund is to be used for school tuition and fees
General Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates must be at least 25% Asian and/or Pacific Islander in ethnicity.
- They must also be a US citizen, national, or legal permanent resident.
- Candidates must be a high school senior or a college student currently enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. vocational, junior college, or four-year college/university and pursuing an associate/bachelor/master degree by the upcoming academic calendar year.
- All majors are eligible for the scholarship.
- Candidates need to show visionary leadership abilities through creative means
- Evidence of a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
- Board members’ families are ineligible.
If you are not eligible, you can visit out our list of current scholarships to choose the scholarships that suits your cadre.
Number of awards
Nine (9) scholarships are awarded by against the grain every year. However, with the introduction of the Against the Grain the Thear Sy Suzuki R.I.S.E. Scholarship in 2022, the number of award will get to 12.
Against the Grain Groundbreaker Leadership scholarship key dates
- Scholarships Start date: January 1
- The deadline for applications is May 31
- Winners will be announced on August 31
You can also apply for ISL Midwest Senior Scholarship
Against the Grain Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship Video presentation
All scholarship applicants must submit a video presentation showcasing their work and qualification. The video must meet the following qualification requirements:
- Videos will be evaluated based on their content, creativity, and execution.
- Videos must be submitted through a link from YouTube or Vimeo.
- Please keep in mind that the chosen Finalists and Winners will be asked to sign a release form so that ATG can feature their video on the scholarship homepage.
For clues on how to go about this, you can check Beyond the Boroughs Scholarship
Against the Grain Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship Selection Criteria:
Candidates are chosen using a five-point rating system. The scholarship will be awarded to the candidate with the highest total cumulative points. These are the categories:
- Presentation via video
- Content submission quality (essay)
- Academic achievement
- Experience and contribution in leadership/community service
- Recommendation letters
- Committee interview via phone/in person
Apply
Disbursement of scholarship fund:
The funds will be transferred directly to the educational institution in the name of the student.
Please keep in mind that Scholarship Winners must submit a one-minute “thank you” video to be posted on the provider’s social media.
Also apply for NIADA Foundation Regional Scholarships.
Summary of Against the Grain Groundbreaker Leadership scholarship
Below is a summary of the award:
| Awarding Organization | Against the Grain Productions |
| Educational Level | high school seniors, college undergraduates, and graduate students |
| Courses | All |
| Scholarship Amount | $1,500 |
| Mode of Access | Online |
| Number of Awards | 64 |
| City | N/A |
| Nationality | Asian American |
| Country | N/A |
| Application Deadline | June 1 and July 15 Annually |
| Scholarship Application Fee | N/A |
| Application Requirements | Cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale |
Testimonials by previous winners of the against the Grain Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship
Summary of The award
| Awarding Organization | Against the Grain Productions |
| Educational Level | high school seniors, college undergraduates, and graduate students |
| Courses | All |
| Scholarship Amount | $1,500 |
| Mode of Access | Online |
| Number of Awards | 64 |
| City | N/A |
| Nationality | Asian American |
| Country | N/A |
| Application Deadline | June 1 and July 15 Annually |
| Scholarship Application Fee | N/A |
| Application Requirements | cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale |
Apply also for Yenching Scholarship
