Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation - High School Seniors

Tzu Chi USA Scholars is a scholarship program funded by Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation to recognize and provide financial assistance to outstanding college-bound high school graduates and continuing undergraduate students in selected areas of the United States. Tzu Chi USA Scholars are selected on the basis of their financial need, academic achievement, and community involvement. Each Scholar will receive an award of US$1,500.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicant demonstrates financial need for college tuition and related expenses.
• Applicant is a U.S. high school graduating senior or equivalent.
• Applicant has a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• Applicant will enroll in an accredited U.S. college full-time for the academic year 2024-2025.

Application Requirements:

1. A completed Tzu Chi USA Scholarship application form for High School students.
2. A copy of one of the three following documents demonstrating financial need and showing the name of the applicant:
Family’s complete most recent 1040 U.S. Income Tax Return including all schedules, or
Family’s complete 1040 U.S. Income Tax Return from two years ago including all schedules and most recent W-2 and/or 1099, or
Any official documentation from the government agency which serves as proof of financial hardship

• Please black out all Social Security Numbers on all of the financial documents for security purpose.

Personal Writing (submit online)

3. An autobiography (2 to 5 pages) which explains why you should be awarded a scholarship. Please include all of the following:
Reason for your financial need and how you intend to use this educational scholarship
Your personal and academic achievements with specific examples
Your academic and career plans with specific goals
Your past and current involvement, as well as future plans, towards making a difference in your community
4. A two-page essay about Tzu Chi, based on the information you’ve gathered from websites, publications, news articles, etc. Please explain what you’ve learned about Tzu Chi that inspires you and why. Express your thoughts openly and honestly.

Additional Supporting Documents (mail or email):

5. An official high school transcript
6. Two letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, and/or other advisors
Mailed in documents need to include a cover page that states applicant’s name, email, and phone number

Please mail or email all additional supporting documents to the Tzu Chi Foundation regional office that has been assigned to you based on your home zip code, and indicate: Attn: Tzu Chi Scholars Program

To begin an application, you’ll need to locate the Tzu Chi Scholars Region nearest you. To do that and to start your application, click the “Visit” button.