The Japanese American Treaty Centennial Scholarship Fund (JATCSF) has announced that it is now accepting applications for this year’s scholarship awards.

The scholarship fund was established by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in 1960 in commemoration of the 100^th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese official delegation to the United States in 1860. This year marks the 50^th year these scholarships are being awarded.

The scholarship recipients are selected each year on the basis of academic achievement, school and community activities, Japanese cultural and athletic activities and financial need. The scholarship awards, which are paid out from the interest earned on the fund’s account and the donations from the community, have been presented to a total of 1,577 high school graduates in the amount of $712,050 since its establishment through 2008.

The scholarship awards are offered to 2009 graduating high school seniors of Japanese ancestry residing in Southern California who plan to enroll in college this year. Children of businessmen from Japan who are temporarily in the United States are also eligible to apply.

The students who are interested in obtaining an application form are asked to send a self-addressed envelope to Japanese American Scholarship Fund, 244 So. San Pedro St., #504, Los Angeles, CA 90012 or can obtain a form via e-mail office@jccsc.com.

The deadline date for submission of application is Thursday June 11, 2009. For more information, call the JATCSF office at (213) 626-3067.

*Downloading application is now available from here.