2020年初爆發的COVID-19疫情蔓延全美，美國確診案例淪為全球之冠，病毒所帶來的恐慌和經濟衝擊讓不少在美求學的台美學生深受其害。為了能夠讓這些台美學生在疫情期間能夠得到所需的協助，面臨財務危機能得到適當的紓緩，台美獎學金基金會（Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund，TASF）、南加州最具代表性的台僑社團大洛杉磯台灣會館基金會（Taiwan Center Foundation of Greater Los Angeles）和全美有不少分會力量的台美公民協會（Taiwanese American Citizens League， TACL）協力推出一項由TASF贊助，台灣會館和TACL負責核發的COVID-19疫情紓困獎學基金專案（Student Covid-19 Relief Scholarship Program），主要是希望能照顧到在美國各地的台美學子，讓他們感受到僑界的善心和鼓勵。
台美人獎學金基金會(TASF)是美國政府立案的非營利組織，建立於 2014 年，其使命在於幫助在美國的台美青年有接受高等教育機會，為更美好的未來奠定基礎。TASF 是全美唯一一個針對全美國台美人頒發的獎學金。 TASF創辦人余崇孝 （Sean Yu ）為求回饋社區和支持台美優秀學子，希望經由這個台美人獎學金基金會改變台美社區對慈善捐款的價值觀，協助下一代實現美國夢。
創立於1998年的大洛杉磯台灣會館基金會，由愛台灣的故僑務委員王桂榮（Ken John Wang）先生慷慨捐出產業，當時萬通銀行總裁吳澧培（Li-Pei Wu）先生為募款召集人，在四十多個台灣社團及千位鄉親共同籌款並建立今天的會館。會館宗旨在於舉辦公益、文教活動，以發揚台灣文化傳統。會館多年來也致力於培養第二代台美人成為優秀公民，傳承優質台美人文化。台灣會館這次在獎學金專案裡主要負責服務的對象是大洛杉磯地區（洛杉磯郡、橙郡、聖伯納地諾郡及文圖拉郡）的合法居民，申請者必須是目前就讀於前述範圍內各幼稚園至研究所的在校生。
有35年歷史的TACL旨在積極提倡台美人參與美國政治和促進台美公民權益，該協會則是負責核發獎學金給大洛杉磯地區以外的台美學生，申請者必須是幼稚園至研究所的在校生。
台美公民協會除了暑期政治實習計畫外，更有多樣的例行活動包括：高中社區獎學金、新聞實習、台美人夏令營和暑期領導人才訓練營。
這次TASF誠邀大洛杉磯台灣會館和TACL這兩間北美知名的台僑組織來協助專案的推廣，就是希望能藉提供總額十萬美元的獎學金計畫，以雪中送炭的方式將每份獎學金最高美元$500的款項交給困境中上進的學生們，增進這群台美人未來國家棟樑和主要僑團的彼此認識與交流。
TASF COVID-19疫情紓困獎學基金專案申請程序自即日起至 9月 30 日開放受理，TACL亦同。兩間僑團因服務地域範圍的差異，活動規則及條款會有些許不同，如要進行申請以及獲取關於申請資格的詳細資訊，請造訪台灣會館網路連結：
http://www.taiwancenter.org/ 或 TACL： http://tacl.org/covid-19-student-relief-fund/
申請人必須合法居住在僑團服務區域內的台美人，符合資格的學生需要提供在校證明並撰寫單頁短文來描述這場疫情對自己帶來的衝擊為何，若獲得獎學金將如何善用這筆錢。各負責核發的僑團單位將於收到完整申請函後陸續通知申請者所需補充文件或告知甄選結果。敬請符合資格的台僑鄉親踴躍分享和報名，有任何問題請向大洛杉磯台灣會館以下列方式洽詢：電郵 tcgla@taiwancenterla.org，電話 626-307-4881，或網址 www.taiwanter.org 。
TASF Student Covid-19 Relief Scholarship Program Press Release
The outbreak of COVID-19 virus spread throughout the United States, and the country tops the world in number of confirmed cases. The economic impact caused by the virus has caused many Taiwanese American students studying in the United States to suffer. In order for these students to get the assistance they need during the epidemic, and to appropriately relieve their financial plight, the Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund (TASF), Taiwan Center Foundation of Greater Los Angeles and the Taiwanese American Citizens League (TACL) have jointly launched a scholarship program sponsored by the TASF, the Student COVID-19 Relief Scholarship Program, and the Taiwan Center and TACL are responsible for selecting the qualified candidates to distribute the funds. The scholarship program aims to serve Taiwanese students in the United States and let them experience the kindness and encouragements from their community in dire times.
The Taiwanese Scholarship Foundation (TASF) is a non-profit organization that was established in 2014. Its mission is to help Taiwanese and American youths in the United States to pursue higher education opportunities and lay the foundation for a better future. TASF is the only scholarship in the United States for Taiwanese Americans. TASF founder Mr. Sean Yu seeks to give back to the community and support outstanding Taiwanese students. He hopes that the Taiwanese Scholarship Foundation will change the value of the Taiwanese community on charitable donations and help the next generation realize their American dreams.
The Taiwan Association Foundation of Greater Los Angeles, founded in 1998, started with the facility property generously donated by Mr. Ken John Wang, former Overseas Community Affairs Council(OCAC) commissioner and Mr. Li-Pei Wu, president of General Bank at the time, served as fundraising chair, together they led more than 40 Taiwanese organizations and thousands of community members to raise enough funds to build the Taiwan Center as we know today. The Taiwan Center serves as cultural and educational event center to promote Taiwan’s heritage. The center is also dedicated to cultivate the second generation Taiwanese immigrants to be outstanding citizens. The Taiwan Center is mainly responsible for selecting qualifying candidates for the scholarship program among legal residents of Taiwanese descent in the Greater Los Angeles area (Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County and Ventura County). The applicant must be students currently enrolled in preschool to graduate school in the aforementioned region.
With 35 years of organization history, the mission of Taiwanese American Citizens League is to enhance the quality of life for Taiwanese Americans. Their work is largely devoted to Leadership, Identity, Networking, and Citizenship. The organization is responsible for selecting the best candidates to receive program scholarships in all 50 states in the US except the Greater Los Angeles area. Applicants must be active students from preschool to graduate school. In addition to their summer Political Internship Program(PIP), the Taiwan American Citizens League has other great programs including: high school community scholarships, journalism internships, Taiwanese summer camps, and summer leadership training camps.
By inviting these two reputable Taiwanese American organizations to assist them in the project, the Task is hoping that by providing a scholarship program with a total amount of $100,000 ($500 max for each selected recipient), scholarships will be given to students who are in a difficult financial situation and that act of kindness will bring the community closer to the younger generation and their families.
TASF COVID-19 Outbreak Relief Scholarship program is accepting applications from now until September 30, and TACL is the same. Due to the difference in service areas, the rules, terms and conditions of the programs may differ. To apply or obtain detailed information about application process, please visit the Taiwan Center at http://www.taiwancenter.org / or TACL at http://tacl.org/covid-19-student-relief-fund/
Applicants must be Taiwanese Americans legally reside in the organizations’ service areas. Eligible students need to provide proof of enrollment and write a one-page short essay to describe the impact of the epidemic on their lives, and how they would use the funds if they are selected to receive the scholarships. After receiving the complete application package, each of the two responsible organizations will contact the applicant for any required supplementary documents or inform the result. Should anyone has any questions, please contact the Taiwan Center of Greater Los Angeles by email at tcgla@taiwancenterla.org, via telephone at (626)307-4881, or visit website at www.taiwanter.org.
