Tang Scholarship

Eligibility

Each applicant must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

• • Self-identified as Asian/Pacific Islander and gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender; (at least 25% API ancestry); and involved in the GLBT community;

  • Graduate from a high school in one of the nine Bay Area counties; Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara County, Napa, Sonoma or Solano;

  • Scholarship will be awarded for full-time (minimum 12 units for all semesters/quarters) enrollment in an accredited two, four-year university or graduate school; (college, university, community college or vocational school).

  • United States citizen or legal resident;

  • Demonstrated financial hardship;

  • Demonstrated academic promise;

  • Minimum unweighted grade point average 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) for all schools attended or attending;

  • Be between the age of 17 and 25 on 30 April 2025

Download the 2025 application form here: Pdf Form (Fillable form using Adobe Acrobat Reader. If open in browser, will not be fillable)

You can type your information onto the form electronically, then print and sign it.

Application Deadline

• • Scholarship manager must receive the completed application packet and all supporting materials (such as personal statement, letters of reference, transcripts, proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency and financial documentation) by

5 p.m. on April 30, 2025

• • Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

  • Date of postmark, faxed and emailed applications will NOT be considered.

Questions? Contact Scholarship Manager at scholarshiptang@gmail.com

Applicant Instructions

In order for your application to be considered, all of the following must be received by the deadline.

• 1. APPLICATION FORM

Applications must be complete to be considered. Attach additional pages if necessary.

• 2. LETTERS OF REFERENCE

Provide two letters of reference only.

• 2. 1. • One letter from a teacher or academic advisor;

        • One letter from a work or volunteer supervisor, a youth leader or personal acquaintance.

Letters from teachers, advisors and employers must be on school or company letterhead. All letters must be signed and dated. Photocopies are acceptable. Letters may be sealed in their own envelopes.

• 3. TRANSCRIPTS OF GRADES

All applications must include an official high school transcript, even if you have graduated from high school and currently enrolled in an accredited college or university. If you have taken college courses, an official college transcript must also be included for all work completed. Photocopies and copies from the Internet are unacceptable.

• 4. SIGNED AND DATED PERSONAL STATEMENT

Include a typed statement of at LEAST 500 words, but no longer than 850 words for the three items below (approximately 2-3 pages, double-spaced). In the statement, you should:

• 4. 1. • Describe a significant challenge in your life and the lessons learned from it;

        • Describe any extracurricular activities or honors you feel best highlight your potential as a leader in our community;

        • Comment upon your long and short-range educational goals.

• • • • Sign and date your Personal Statement.

• 5. FINANCIAL NEED

Evidence of financial need must be submitted with all application packets If you applied for federal financial aid, enclose a copy of all pages of your 2025-2026 FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) (updated information regarding your FAFSA application can be found online at www.fafsa.ed.gov).

OR

If you did not apply for federal financial aid, enclose a copy of the first two pages of your parent’s or guardian’s most recent Form 1040 (or your own if you are not a dependent).

• 6. PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP OR LEGAL RESIDENCY

Provide proof of United States citizenship (photocopy of birth certificate, passport or naturalization papers) or documentation of legal residency (photocopy of visa or green card).

• 7. PERSONAL INTERVIEW

A required personal interview will be conducted by a minimum of four committee members in an office setting.

The Tang Scholarship Fund has partnered with Silicon Valley Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, to provide scholarship opportunities. The Tang Scholarship is a fund at Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

PREVIOUS YEARS’ RECIPIENTS

Link to Student Biography/Testimony

2024 Alex Chan, Angelina Eberly, Caroline Jung, Adelina Zheng and Ren Lam

Alex Chan

• • Graduated from Independence High School

  • Attending U.C. Davis

  • Alex is eligible to receive a total of $8,000 ($2,000x4) scholarship

Angelina Eberly

• • Graduated from Castro Valley High School

  • Attending Saint Mary's College of California

  • Angelina is eligible to receive a total of $8,000 ($2,000x4) scholarship

Caroline Jung

• • Graduated from Homestead High School

  • Attending University of Washington

  • Caroline received $20,000 scholarship

Adelina Zheng

• • Graduated from Acalanes High School

  • Attending Brown University

  • Alex is eligible to receive a total of $8,000 ($2,000x4) scholarship

Ren Lam

• • Graduated from Lowell High School

  • Attending California State University, Northridge

  • Ren is eligible to receive a total of $30,000 ($15,000x2) scholarship

2023 Kai Huang, Jared Ramil and Khoa-Nathan Ngo

Kai Huang

• • Graduated from Harker School and UCLA

  • Attending UCSF

  • Kai is eligible to receive a total of $30,000 ($10,000x3) scholarship

Jared Ramil

• • Graduated from Armijo High School

  • Attending UCLA

  • Kai is eligible to receive a total of $24,000 ($8,000x3) scholarship

Khoa-Nathan Ngo

• • Graduated from Fremont High School, FUHSD Adult School and De Anza College

  • Attending UCLA

  • Experienced extreme hardship

  • Khoa-Nathan received a total of $26,000 scholarship

2022 Dania Khan, Patricial Capiral and Koa Tran

Dania Khan

• • Graduated from Irvington High School

  • Attending U.C. Berkeley

  • Experienced extreme difficulty

  • Dania received $10,000 scholarship

Patricia Capiral

• • Graduated from Jesse M. Bethel High School

  • Attending UCSF School of Dentistry

  • Dream of becoming a dentist began as a child

  • Patricia received a total of $40,000  scholarship

Koa Tran

• • Graduated from Andrew P. Hill High School

  • Attending UC San Diego

  • Desire to pursue a career in medical field as a surgeon

  • Koa is eligible to receive a total of $30,000 ($7,500x4) scholarship

2021 Kiana Leoung, Vivian Wan, Jenesis Merriman and DJ Chan.

Kiana Leoung

• • Graduated from El Camino High School and Skyline College

  • Attending U.C. Berkeley

  • Desire future plans in education as a high school teacher

  • Kiana is eligible to receive a total of $20,000 scholarship

Vivian Wan

• • Graduated from Ruth Asawa San Francisco of the Arts

  • Would like to attend University of the Arts London

  • Focus on individual experiences impacted by social class and political divisions

  • Vivian is eligible to receive a total of $30,000 ($15,000x2) scholarship

Jenesis Merriman

• • Graduated from St. Francis High School

  • Attending Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health

  • Close some of the research gaps still exist in LGBTQ health

  • Jenesis is eligible to receive a total of $16,000 scholarship

DJ Chan.

• • Graduated from Jefferson High School

  • Attending San Francisco State University

  • Interested in film making

  • David is eligible to receive a total of $20,000 scholarship

2020 Stella Kailahi, Danny Lee and Peter Pham

Stella Kailahi

• • Graduated from Menlo Atherton High School

  • Attending San Diego State University

  • Is determined to succeed despite various set backs

  • Create space for LGBT childhood sexual abuse survivor

  • Stella is eligible to receive a total of $24,000 ($8,000x3) scholarship

Danny Lee

• • Graduated from George Washington High School & U.C. Berkeley

  • Attending U.C. San Diego for his Doctor of Medicine

  • Actively volunteering in various community service

  • Danny received a total of $20,000 scholarship

Peter Pham

• • Graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory

  • Attended various community colleges

  • Will attend a U.C.

  • Advocates for transformational local and state climate action

  • Peter is eligible to receive a total of $28,000 ($14,000x2) scholarship

2019 Sandra Jiang and Stanton Li

Sandra Jiang

• • Graduated from El Camino High School in South San Francisco & UCSD

  • Will attend University of Washington

  • Has overcome extreme adversity

  • Create space for LGBT childhood sexual abuse survivor

  • Sandra received a one time $15,000 scholarship

Stanton Li

• • Graduated from Lowell High School

  • Will attend City College of San Francisco, then UCSB

  • Continue gender and racial justice activism in college

  • Interest in public health and community clinic

  • Stanton is eligible to receive a total of $20,000 scholarship

2018 Denise Huang, Simeon Alojipan, Yuh Jang Mei and Maj Jenkins

Denise Huang

• • Graduated from Lowell High School and Mount Holyoke College

  • Will be attending the University of Chicago

  • Highest priority is to establish inter-generational mentorship and thusly maintain momentum for the next generation of API students

  • Increase queer youth in participation in activism

  • Denise received a one time $5,000 scholarship

Simeon Alojipan

• • Graduated from Milpitas High School

  • Attending San Francisco State University

  • Peer mentor for Asian American & Pacific Islander student

  • Focus research on the experiences of queer Asian American sex workers

  • Simeon is eligible to receive a total of $20,000 ($5,000x4) provided he qualifies each year

Yuh Jang Mei

• • Graduated from Mission High School in San Francisco and U.C. Berkeley

  • Will attend the University of Chicago

  • Overcame speech impediment

  • Helps children build skills early on and put them on a path to success before they understand the stigma and judgment that society will inflict on them

  • Wishes to establish an organization to provide social services for people with disabilities particularly from low income family

  • Yuh received a total of $10,000 scholarship

Maj Jenkins

• • Graduated from George Washington High School in San Francisco

  • Will attend University of San Francisco

  • Developed a space for LGBT youth to discuss their experiences, learn activist skills and act against injustice

  • Believes pride in one’s identity, fighting spirit, determination and drive to never give up

  • Would like to work for the rights of marginalized people as an artist

  • Malia received a total of $40,000 scholarship

2017 Theo Beltran, Chey Yen and Yen Dinh

Theo Beltran

• • Graduated from Mid Peninsula High School

  • Will be attending U.C. Berkeley graduate school

  • Has overcome extreme adversity

  • Focus on dedication to helping others

  • Sofia received a total of $45,000 scholarship

Chey Yen

• • Graduated from Lowell High School

  • Attending University of Massachusetts, Amherst

  • Interned at the Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center (LYRIC)

  • Passionate about hospitality and social justice

  • Received a one time $4,000 scholarship

Yen Dinh

• • Graduated from Impact Academy of Arts and Technology with a 4.25 GPA

  • Will be attending UCLA

  • Has overcome health issue

  • Yen received a total of $9,600 scholarship

2016 Zay Latt, Michael Choi, Aaron Chen and Helen Chen

Zay Latt

• • Graduated from Mills High School

  • Currently attending U.C. Berkeley

  • President/Founder of Pre-law Coalition for Social Justice

  • Was a San Mateo Community College board member

  • David received a total of $10,000 scholarship

Michael Choi

• • Graduated from Hercules High School and University of San Francisco, majoring in law

  • Discovered intellectual property and decided to pursue trademark law

  • Hopes to continue to provide legal representation to those who cannot afford counsel, especially in the API and LGBTQ communities

  • Michael received a total of $10,000 scholarship

Aaron Chen

• • Graduated from Raoul Wallenberg Traditional High School in San Francisco

  • Will attend Chapman University in Orange CA

  • Embraces his true identity and strives to help others to find theirs

  • Interested in TV writing and production

  • Aaron received a total of $4,500 scholarship

Helen Chen

• • Graduated from Lynbrook High School in San Jose

  • Will be attending UCLA

  • Has overcome extreme adversity

  • Rich life experience in LGBTQ Youth Space and A Slice of New York

  • Helen received a one time $15,000 scholarship

2015 Hy Nguyen, Kayla Layaoen & JC De Vera

Hy Nguyen

• • Graduated from Andrew Hill High School in San Jose, De Anza College and U.C. Davis

  • Will attend U.C. Davis

  • Has overcome extreme adversity

  • Interested in politics

  • Tran received a total of $30,000 scholarship

Kayla Layaoen

• • Graduated from Fremont High School in Sunnyvale

  • Will attend U.C. Santa Cruz

  • Started school newspaper with strong background in journalism

  • Kayla received a total of $16,875 scholarship

JC De Vera

• • Graduated from Yerba Buena High School in San Jose and UCLA

  • Very active in API & LGBT community

  • Received numerous awards

  • Currently a steering committee member for the Bay Area chapters of Asian American and Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP)

  • JC received a total of $7,500 scholarship

2014 May Chen & Catrina Gotuaco

May Chen

• • Graduated from Lowell High School

  • Currently attending University of North Carolina, Gillings School of Global Public Health

  • Amazing accomplishments

  • Hopes her research will one day directly contribute to policy and prevention efforts aimed at reducing disparities among minorities and prevent partner abuse in the community

  • May received a $15,000 in scholarship

Catrina Gotuaco

• • Graduated from Saint Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco

  • Will be attending Cal State University in Hayward

  • Another amazing student with lots of accomplishments

  • She hopes to better serve minority and marginalized populations, including the API LGBT community

  • Catrina received a total of $27,000 in scholarship

2013 Trung Nguyen, Tiffany L., Randy Luu and Anna Livia Chen

Trung Nguyen

• • Graduated from Silver Creek High School in San Jose with a 4.0 GPA and UCLA

  • Very active in UCLA helping other API LGBT students as well as local communities

  • Writing a dissertation about the uses of visual objects under U.S. Imperialism

  • Trung received a total of $30,000 scholarship

Tiffany Lin

• • Graduated from a high school in South Bay, U.C. Berkeley and taken courses at Parsons the New School for Design

  • Very active in college and local community helping other API and LGBT

  • Tiffany received a total of $15,500 scholarship

Randy Luu

• • Graduated from Lowell High in San Francisco, U.C. Irvine and Tulane University Health Sciences

  • Very active in API LGBT communities as well as in Tulane

  • Internal Medicine resident at Kaiser Los Angeles

  • Randy received a total of $18,000 scholarship

Anna Livia Chen

• • Graduated from Mountain View High School with a 4.0 GPA

  • An impressive student with many accomplishments at a very young age

  • Currently attending Swarthmore College

  • Anna Livia received a total of $12,000 scholarship

2012 Arty Zhang, Henry Huang and Jason Pia

Arty Zhang

• • Graduated from Lowell High School in San Francisco and U.C. Berkeley

  • Very active in his school, loves to write and enjoys gardening

  • Juggles interior design work and teaching yoga at Oakland LGBTQ Center

  • Arty received a total of $20,000 scholarship

Zihao Huang

• • Graduated from American High School with a 4.0 GPA unweighted

  • Attending Cal currently

  • Henry is extremely active in school as well as outside of school

  • Henry received a total of $20,000 in scholarship

Jason Pia

• • Graduated from Pioneer High School, UCSD and John Hopkins University

  • Currently attending UC Riverside and UCLA

  • Jason received a total of $15,000 in scholarship

2011 Khoa Daniel Tran and Luisa Tsang

Khoa Daniel Tran

• • Graduated from Yerba Buena High School in San Jose and UCLA

  • Software engineer in the Bay Area

  • Daniel received a total of $30,000 scholarship

Luisa Tsang

• • Currently enrolled at Yale University in Health Management

  • Graduated from Lowell High School in San Francisco

  • Luisa received $7,500 in scholarship

Both Daniel and Luisa had overcome extreme personal hardship. They are both actively involved in LGBT issues and/or organizations.

2010 Phuong Tseng and Chad Ngo

Phuong Tseng

• • Graduated in 2010 from Abraham Lincoln High School in San Francisco and Mills College

  • Empowered to be a strong and proud advocate for herself and her community

  • Phuong received a total of $30,000 scholarship

Chad Ngo

• • Graduated in 2010 from Piedmont Hills High School in San Jose and U.C. Irvine

  • Received MPH and plan to pursue Ph.D. in the near future

  • Chad received a total of $30,000 scholarship

2009 John Trinidad

• • Graduated from Alameda’s Encinal High School in 2003

  • Graduated from U.C. Irvine in 2007

  • Currently a medical student at UCSF

  • Actively involved in UCSF’s GLBT committees as well as LGBT student associations

  • John has received a total of $45,000 in scholarship

2008 Jason Kwong

• • A GAPA board member as well as worked with API Wellness Center in San Francisco

  • Graduated from Cal Berkeley and Master of Public Health (MPH) at Columbia University in May of 2010, specialized in Sociomedical Sciences Health Promotion track

  • Work at US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), doing health care research and policy work

  • Steering committee of GAPIMNY (NY's version of GAPA)

  • Board member of Asian American Impact Fund, a giving circle focused on supporting Asian American community groups in NYC area

  • Jason received a one time $15,000 scholarship

2007 Caroline Le

• • Graduated from San Jose State University in 2007

  • Graduated from Emerson College in Boston in 2009

  • Caroline received a total of $30,000 in scholarship

Silicon Valley Community Foundation

444 Castro Street, Suite 140

Mountain View, California 94040

tel: 650.450.5400

fax: 650.450.5401

To read more about Silicon Valley Community Foundation

visit www.siliconvalleycf.org

The Tang Scholarship has partnered with Silicon Valley Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, to provide scholarship opportunities. The Tang Scholarship is a fund at Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

About Silicon Valley Community Foundation

Silicon Valley Community Foundation advances innovative philanthropic solutions to challenging problems. We engage donors and corporations from Silicon Valley, across the country and around the globe to make our region and world better for all. Our passion for helping people and organizations achieve their philanthropic dreams has created a global philanthropic enterprise committed to the belief that possibilities start here. Learn more at siliconvalleycf.org.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS AT SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

For many individuals and organizations, providing scholarships for students to support their educational pursuits is a rewarding and effective way to meet their charitable objectives. Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s scholarship program is committed to providing opportunities for those interested in helping talented young people to pursue their dreams through a quality education. Scholarship funds at SVCF vary by size of endowment and in complexity of criteria; however, their common element is the charitable spirit of the donors who created them. In honoring loved ones or providing for a specific community, each scholarship expresses a deep belief in the power of education to help individuals achieve their dreams. 

For more information about establishing a scholarship fund at Silicon Valley Community Foundation, contact donate@siliconvalleycf.org or 650.450.5400.

For additional information about applying for this or other scholarships, please contact scholarships@siliconvalleycf.org