Immigrant Heritage & International Student Scholarships (2026) | Immigration Law & Advocacy (Powered by Donorbox)

$7,115.79

Raised

Donations

$100,000

Goal

All donations benefit the 2026 Immigrant Heritage & International Student Scholarship Fund ~ #IHS2026 & #ISS2026.

The 2026 Scholarship Fund will be distributed to qualifying applicants in June 2026, during the annual Immigrant Heritage Month celebration in Wichita, Kansas.

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BACKGROUND

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The Immigrant Heritage Scholarship (IHS) Fund was first established by Immigration Law & Advocacy of Wichita, KS, in 2016.* Since its inception in 2016, the #IHS fund has provided over $31,500 in merit-based scholarships to 25 exceptional immigrant high school graduates in Kansas who are selected without consideration of immigrant status, family financial circumstances, college choice, or major and career plans. The IHS Committee receives and evaluates information about the candidates' abilities, skills, academic standing, and accomplishments, and the scholarships are awarded in June during Immigrant Heritage Month (#IHM). In June 2025, the IHS2025 Committee unanimously voted to roll over all IHS2025 funds to IHS2026, and expand the pool of recipients to include international students effective 2026. This is how the International Student Scholarship fund was born! Beginning June 2026, the fund will provide scholarships to international students admitted to accredited colleges and universities in Kansas. The Wichita African Business & Professional Network, a registered non-profit, will serve as the fund's fiscal sponsor, providing fiduciary oversight, financial management, and other administrative services to build the fund's capacity. 

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Past Immigrant Heritage Scholarship Recipients:

#IHS2025 - No Recipients

#IHS2024 Grand Prize, $2,500: Cristian Espinal, Wichita North High School

#IHS2023 Grand Prize, $2,500: Elijah R. Resano, Salina Central High School (Philippines)
#IHS2023 Second Place Prize, $1,500: Richecardine P. Langdon, Kapun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School (Haiti)
#IHS2023 Third Place Prize, $1,000: Asta Castro, Wichita East High School (Tanzania)
#IHS2023 Runner Up, $300: Linxiang M. Dozier, Trinity Catholic High School (China)

#IHS2022 Grand Prize, $2,500: Truc Dao, Wichita High School South (Vietnam)

#IHS2022 2nd Place Prize, $1,500: Amani Alsheikh, Wichita High School South (Iraq)

#IHS2022 3rd Place, $1000: Hassan Emile, Wichita High School South (DRC/Congo)

#IHS2022 Runner up, $500: Edna Flores Cisneros, Wichita High School North (Mexico)

#IHS2022 Scholar, $250: Tatiana Kamhanri, Wichita High School North (Central African Republic)

#IHS2021 Grand Prize of $2,500: Manasse Matala Kasongo (Congo)

#IHS2020 Grand Prize of $2,500: Duong Pham (Vietnam)

#IHS2020 2nd Place Prize of $1,500: Victoria Oshakuade (Nigeria)

#IHS2020 3rd Place Prize of $1,000: Maram Moussa (Egypt)

#IHS2020 1st Runner Up Prize of $500: Rebeka Maombi (Burundi)

#IHS2020 General Fund Prize of $350: Johan Guereca-Torres (Mexico)

#IHS2020 General Fund Prize of $350: Cinthya Ortiz-Guerrero (Mexico)

#IHS2020 General Fund Prize of $350: Alpha Magafu (Tanzania)

#IHS2019 Grand Prize of $2,500: Maria Aguilar Mendoza (Mexico)

#IHS2019 2nd Place Prize of $1,500: Miriam Mangaza (Congo)

#IHS2019 3rd Place Prize of $1,000: Malli L. Lemeriwas (Kenya)

#IHS2019 Runner up: Selena Perez Ruiz (Mexico)

#IHS2018 Grand Prize of $2,500: Mennatallah Mousa (Egypt)

#IHS2018 Runner Up: Angela Ledezma (Mexico)

#IHS2017 Grand Prize of $1,500: Maria Paz Mijares (Mexico)

* Fundraising for the IHS was launched in June 2016, and the funds were distributed to the first recipient in June 2017. There were no scholarships awarded in 2016.

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#IHS2026 Scholarship Requirements for Kansas Graduating High School Seniors:

1. A Resume and Written Statement from the Applicant that highlights their abilities, skills, academic accomplishments, personal achievements, school involvement, community involvement, interests, and goals;

2. A copy of the Applicant's 2026 High School Diploma and final Certified Transcript;

3. Evidence of the Applicant's Foreign Birth and Photo ID (e.g. Passport, Photo ID + Foreign Birth Certificate, Resident Card);

4. The Applicant's Acceptance Letter to any Accredited Institution of Higher Education (e.g. College, University, Technical or Vocational School) for Fall 2026.

All IHS2026 requirements must be submitted by 11:59 pm Central Standard Time, June 1st, 2026, using the online portal at: https://bit.ly/ICT-IHS-ISS

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#ISS2026 Scholarship Requirements for International Students in Kansas:

1. Evidence of the applicant's admission to a recognized college or university in Kansas as an international student for Fall 2026;

2. Certified Transcript to show at least one completed academic year of study in any degree seeking program;

3. A Resume and Written Statement from the Applicant that highlights their abilities, skills, academic accomplishments, personal achievements, school involvement, community involvement, interests, and goals;

4. Evidence of the Applicant's Foreign Birth and Photo ID (e.g. Passport, Photo ID + Foreign Birth Certificate);

5. Evidence of financial need.

All ISS2026 requirements must be submitted by 11:59 pm Central Standard Time, June 1st, 2026, using the online portal at: https://bit.ly/ICT-IHS-ISS