Pars Youth Grant – The American Dream

In partnership with the Kordestani Family Foundation

The Pars Youth Grant / The American Dream is a financial scholarship program designed to support the academic success of the next generation of students who identify as being of Iranian descent or are actively working to uplift the Iranian American community. Under the auspices of the Kordestani Family Foundation, this grant helps high school seniors with demonstrated financial need to pursue higher education in California.

 

Award Details
  • Grant Amount: Varies based on financial need and institutional costs (up to $5,000 per student)
  • Payment: Scholarships are paid directly to the college or university
  • Duration: This is a one-time grant; recipients may not reapply in subsequent years

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following:

 

  • Currently graduating from high school in California
  • Identify as being of Iranian descent, or demonstrate a strong commitment to serving and uplifting the Iranian American community through volunteer work, leadership, advocacy, or cultural engagement.
  • A California resident
  • A U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident
  • Accepted to and planning to enroll in an accredited college or university in California
  • Demonstrate financial need (must apply for FAFSA)
  • Maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher
Note: Students attending California Community Colleges as a first step in their 4-year academic journey are welcome to apply.

How to Apply

A completed application must be submitted online between:

📅 Opening Date: July 1
⏳ Deadline: July 20
📬 Award Notifications Sent: August 15

Application requirements:
  • School transcripts and standardized test scores
  • Letter of acceptance from a California college or university
  • Income tax returns from the applicant and their parents (past two years)
  • A personal essay (up to 750 words) discussing:
    • Your background, goals, and aspirations
    • Why you chose your field of study
    • Your future plans after graduation
    • Your personal voice and reflections
  • One letter of recommendation from a current or former teacher or academic mentor
  • (Optional) A resume or list of extracurricular activities, work experience, or leadership roles
  • (Optional) A short video introduction (under 2 minutes)
Applications must be submitted via our secure online portal using your Gmail login to protect your information. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
The Pars Grant welcomes all eligible applicants and does not discriminate based on any protected status. Preference may be given to students of Iranian descent or those who have shown a strong commitment to supporting the Iranian American community, in alignment with our mission to uplift underrepresented populations.

Selection Process

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Financial need – 40%
  • Academic merit – 30%
  • Essay content and personal story – 20%
  • Community involvement/leadership – 10%
Finalists may be invited for a brief interview (virtual or in person) as part of the selection process.
If you have any questions, please contact us at info@parsequalitycenter.org.
We look forward to supporting your academic journey!