Scholarships

OUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION WINDOW IS OPEN.

WHO SHOULD APPLY

The annual VABANC scholarship seeks to recognize students who have demonstrated a commitment to serving the needs of the Vietnamese-American community. Open to all law students, the scholarship is intended to assist recipients who are pursuing public interest or social justice goals.

Priority will be given to those who have demonstrated a commitment to serving the Vietnamese-American community in Northern California and to those who will be using the scholarship award to further their public interest or social justice work, either by pursuing post-graduate work or for a summer position.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

VABANC has historically awarded at least two to three scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 each.

For 2026, VABANC will award at least two scholarships each valued at $2,500, with possibly larger allocations contingent on fundraising capacity by our organization.

APPLICATION PACKET

Submit the following materials to scholarship@vabanc.org by Friday, August 28, 2026 at 11:59 P.M. PST. Any changes to this deadline will be announced on our website at www.vabanc.org.

(1.) A completed application form (download here); (2.) a copy of your resume; (3.) and a personal statement (no more than 800 words) on one or more of the following:

  • Identify and describe a current pressing social or legal-services need in the Vietnamese- American community, and describe your concrete plans for serving persons affected by that need; and/or
  • Discuss your history of performing social justice work for the Vietnamese-American community, or a similar underserved community, i.e., activism, pro bono work; and/or
  • If applicable, describe your personal experiences in overcoming socioeconomic and/or other barriers; and/or
  • Identify a public-service legal project (internship, fellowship, etc.) which you are or will be involved in, and how this scholarship would enable you to execute that project.

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • The 2026 scholarship recipients will be recognized at VABANC’s annual Gala Dinner on October 23rd, 2026 at the City Hall Rotunda in San Jose, CA. Attendance at the scholarship dinner is mandatory and conditional to the award. Please note that VABANC is unable to pay for any expenses, including transportation and lodging, in connection with your interview and/or attendance at the Gala Dinner.
  • VABANC membership required. Membership is free for students. Sign up at www.vabanc.org.
  • Interviews will be conducted in September 2026.
  • For the latest scholarship updates and more information about VABANC, please visit www.vabanc.org or email your questions to scholarship@vabanc.org.