How to Apply for a KCSF Scholarship
Applying for a KCSF scholarship is a three-step process.
Step 1: Review Your Eligibility
Before beginning your application, review KCSF's General Eligibility Requirements and Available Scholarships.
Some scholarships have additional requirements. You do not need to select individual scholarships when applying; KCSF will consider you for all scholarships for which you qualify.
Step 2: Prepare Your Application
You will need the following information and supporting materials:
Proof of Full-Time Registration - Provide proof that you are enrolled full-time at an accredited post-secondary institution for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Official Transcripts - Submit official transcripts covering your two most recently completed full academic years from all applicable secondary and/or post-secondary institutions. If you were not enrolled during one of the previous two academic years, provide transcripts for your two most recently completed full academic years.
Recommendations - Two recommendations are required. One must be from a professor or teacher. Your second recommender should ideally be someone who knows you through employment, volunteering, leadership, community involvement, or another meaningful capacity. Recommendations should come from individuals who can speak directly to your character, abilities, work ethic, contributions, potential, and aspirations. Recommendations from family members, relatives, or friends will not be accepted.
You will provide your recommenders' contact information through the KCSF Scholarship Application Portal. KCSF will contact your recommenders directly with instructions for submitting their recommendations. We strongly encourage you to request recommendations early. Your application is not complete until all required recommendations have been received by the application deadline.
Resume - Submit a resume of no more than two pages outlining your education, employment, extracurricular activities, volunteer and community involvement, leadership experience, and other relevant accomplishments.
Essay - All applicants must complete the essay question provided in the Scholarship Application Portal. Applicants seeking consideration for scholarships with a specialized essay requirement, including the Donald Choi Canada Award of Excellence, will receive scholarship-specific instructions through the application.
Note to First Year Undergraduate Students: There are three First Year Undergraduate Scholarships: Donald Choi Canada Award of Excellence, Byung Kuk Kim Memorial Scholarship and Nam Soo Kim Family Scholarship. Please refer to the eligibility criteria for the First Year Undergraduate Scholarships here.
To be considered for:
Donald Choi Canada Award of Excellence only – Answer the Donald Choi Essay question.
Both Donald Choi Canada Award of Excellence and Byung Kuk Kim Memorial Scholarship – Answer the Donald Choi Essay question.
Both Donald Choi Canada Award of Excellence and Nam Soo Kim Family Scholarship – Answer the Donald Choi Essay question.
Either Byung Kuk Kim Memorial Scholarship or Nam Soo Kim Family Scholarship only – Answer the General Scholarships Essay question.
Step 3: Complete and Submit Your Application
Create an account in the [KCSF Scholarship Application Portal] using a valid email address. You may save your application and return to it before submitting. All sections of the application and all required supporting materials must be received by: November 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. All application materials must be submitted in English. Documents originally issued in another language must be accompanied by an English translation where required by KCSF.
It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the application and all required supporting materials, including recommendations, are received by the deadline.
After You Apply
Scholarship recipients are expected to be notified in April 2027. Recipients will also be announced on the KCSF website.
All selected recipients are required to provide:
A headshot and short biography;
A written thank-you message to their scholarship donor;
A short video message; and
Other information needed to recognize and celebrate KCSF Scholars.
Recipients are required to participate in the KCSF Awards Ceremony in May 2027 and the KCSF LEAD Program throughout the following year.