The Jihoon Rim Foundation

2026 Scholarship Announcement

The Jihoon Rim Foundation is proud to announce its 2026 Scholarship Program, continuing our mission to empower exceptional Korean American and Koreanundergraduate students through financial support, mentorship, and networking opportunities. 

Scholarship Details

The Jihoon Rim Foundation will award $10,000 scholarships to 20 outstanding students in the 2026 cycle.  The $10,000 scholarship is paid in two installments: $5,000 at the award reception on April 11, 2026, and $5,000 in September 2027 upon verification of full-time enrollment for the 2027-2028 academic year. 

Beyond financial support, scholars benefit from mentorship provided by Jihoon Rim, Professor at NYU Stern School of Business and former CEO of Kakao Corp.Scholars are honored at the annual reception in New York City, where they connect with peers and begin building valuable professional networks. They are also invited to annual alumni reunions and regional gatherings in New York City, Boston, and Washington, D.C., fostering a strong community of current and past recipients.  

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be enrolled full-time as an undergraduate student in a 4-year college program as of the application deadline (High school seniors beginning college in Fall 2026 are warmly encouraged to apply in the next year's cycle)

• Be enrolled full-time for the 2026-2027 academic year

• Attend a college in one of the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, or Washington, D.C.

• Be of Korean descent and either a U.S. Citizen (Korean-American) or a U.S. permanent resident

• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

• Attend the award reception in New York City on April 11, 2026

Selection Criteria

• Academic excellence and/or leadership potential

• Personal Essay

• Financial Need

Required Essay: "Why you?"

Submit an essay of up to 1,000 words explaining why you are a strong candidate for this scholarship. 

Application Requirements: 

All applicants must complete the online application form, which requires the following documents. 

• Resume/CV

• Personal Essay

• One letter of recommendation from an academic or professional reference

• College transcript (official or copy)

• FAFSA Submission Summary,  including Student Aid Index (either the 2025-26 or 2026-27 FAFSA report)

Important Dates:

• Application Deadline: Saturday, January 31st, 2026, 11:59 PM EST

• Notification of Results: Early to mid-March 2026

• Award Reception: Saturday, April 11, 2026 in New York City

We strongly encourage all eligible students to apply for this transformative opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact us at jihoonrimfoundation [at] gmail.com 

The Jihoon Rim Foundation is committed to fostering the next generation of Korean American leaders. We look forward to reviewing your applications and welcoming our 2026 cohort of scholars.

Sincerely,

The Board of Directors

Jihoon Rim Foundation

October 2025