GVJCI High School Seniors Scholarship Application
The Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI) awards annual scholarships to high school seniors who live in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County. Former and current GVJCI Japanese Language School students who live outside the South Bay region may also apply.
Eligibility:
Applicants must have been directly involved with the GVJCI or GVJCI member organizations that hold regular activities at the GVJCI. Emphasis is placed on GVJCI and other community involvement, volunteerism, and future goals. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and have postsecondary educational plans.
Eligibility for the Kelli Tani Scholarship:
Applicants must be graduating high school seniors who demonstrate a deep commitment to creating a better world through service. This award honors a student who exemplifies kindness and compassion, along with academic achievement and outstanding leadership.
Scholarships Available:
- Gary Hori Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)
- Gardena Valley JACL Scholarship ($2,000)
- Gardena Valley Gardeners Association Legacy Scholarship ($2,000)
- 2026 Kelli Tani Scholarship ($2,000)
The submission deadline is April 6, 2026, with award notifications in June.
https://gvjci.wufoo.com/forms/gvjci-high-school-seniors-scholarship-application/
Undergraduate/Graduate Scholarship Application
The Brian Takeo Mitsunaga Memorial Scholarship ($3,000) is available to current college and graduate students.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be currently enrolled full time at a college, university, trade school, business school, or other institution of higher learning within the United States at the undergraduate or graduate level and must be continuing their studies in the fall. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required.
Applicants must be directly and currently involved with the GVJCI in some capacity (for example, the GVJCI Japanese Language School, GVJCI internships, or GVJCI programs and services, including the GVJCI Volunteer Program). Involvement solely through a GVJCI member organization does not qualify.
Additional Eligibility Requirements:
Previous recipients of a GVJCI Undergraduate/Graduate Scholarship are not eligible to reapply for the same scholarship during additional years of their undergraduate or graduate education. However, recipients of a GVJCI High School Senior Scholarship are eligible to apply as undergraduate or graduate students, and recipients of an undergraduate scholarship may apply as graduate students. Applicants may not receive the same scholarship twice.
Applicants are responsible for submitting all materials to GVJCI by the deadline. An application is considered complete and valid only when all required materials have been received by GVJCI.
The submission deadline is April 6, 2026, with award notifications in June.
https://gvjci.wufoo.com/forms/undergraduategraduate-scholarship-application/
