Lily Pabilona Emerging Entrepreneur Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Against The Grain Productions

Description
**Overview**
The Lily Pabilona Emerging Entrepreneur Scholarship supports Asian American students who are pursuing careers in entrepreneurship while enrolled in U.S. education programs. It recognizes students at the high school and post-secondary levels who demonstrate entrepreneurial initiative and leadership. The award is intended to encourage the development of small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures among Asian American communities.

Key takeaways:
- Supports Asian American students focused on entrepreneurship.
- Open to high school and post-secondary students.
- Emphasizes entrepreneurial initiative and leadership.

Eligibility
**General Eligibility**
Applicants must meet specific demographic, academic, and enrollment criteria to qualify. Eligible applicants must be at least 25% Asian and/or Pacific Islander and hold U.S. citizenship, national status, or legal permanent residency. Candidates must be high school seniors or full-time students at an accredited U.S. vocational school, junior college, or four-year institution and maintain a minimum unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0. The scholarship accepts students from any major and requires demonstrated leadership through community service or extracurricular participation; family members of Board members are not eligible.

Key takeaways:
- Minimum 25% Asian/Pacific Islander ancestry required.
- U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident status required.
- Full-time enrollment and a 3.0+ unweighted GPA required.
- Open to all majors; demonstrable leadership expected.
- Board family members are ineligible.

**Specific Eligibility**
Beyond general qualifications, applicants must demonstrate an active entrepreneurial commitment. Candidates are required to own and operate a small business that has been in operation for at least one year and has produced revenue for the past six consecutive months. Applicants must submit a business plan and/or provide links to their business website and relevant social media accounts as part of the application.

Key takeaways:
- Applicant must own and operate a small business.
- Business must be operating ≥1 year and revenue-producing for ≥6 consecutive months.
- Business plan and web/social links are required with the application.

Award Value
**Amount Offered**
The scholarship awards monetary grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to selected recipients. These funds are intended to support the recipient’s educational and entrepreneurial development while they attend accredited institutions in the United States. Exact award amounts are determined per recipient and may vary by year or by selection committee decisions.

Key takeaways:
- Award amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000.
- Monetary support is granted to selected recipients.
- Award size varies by recipient and year.

Selection Criteria
**Evaluation Factors**
Recipient selection is based on a combination of written materials, business merit, academic record, and demonstrated leadership. The application essay is evaluated for quality and alignment with entrepreneurial goals. Reviewers assess the applicant’s current business, its potential economic impact, academic performance, leadership and community service contributions, letters of recommendation, and committee assessment.

Key takeaways:
- Essay quality and clarity are important.
- Business viability and potential economic impact are weighed heavily.
- Academic record and leadership/service experience influence decisions.
- Letters of recommendation and committee evaluation are considered.

Application Timeline
**Process Overview**
The scholarship follows an annual application cycle, but specific dates and deadlines vary by year. Typical stages include the application opening, document submission by the deadline, committee review, and notification of awardees. Prospective applicants should consult the scholarship sponsor’s official resources each year for exact timelines and submission instructions.

Key takeaways:
- Operates on an annual cycle with variable dates.
- Process typically includes application, review, and award notification.
- Check the official sponsor site for current deadlines and instructions.

History of the Award
**Founding and Purpose**
The Lily Pabilona Emerging Entrepreneur Scholarship was established in 2016 and is funded by entrepreneurs Grace and Ranier Pabilona. It was created to promote entrepreneurship within Asian American communities and to provide financial support to students developing real-world business ventures while pursuing their education. The award reflects the founders’ commitment to fostering the next generation of small-business leaders.

Key takeaways:
- Founded in 2016 by Grace and Ranier Pabilona.
- Created to encourage entrepreneurship among Asian American students.
- Focuses on supporting students who run active small businesses.