The Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York (KALAGNY) is pleased to announce the formation of the Korean American Legal Education Fund of Greater New York (KALEFGNY), which, in partnership with KALAGNY, is now accepting applications for its inaugural 2026 Yi SuYon Scholarship Award, named in honor of its gracious benefactor.

The Yi SuYon scholarship recipient(s) will receive a $10,000 scholarship for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year ($5,000 per semester for 2026-2027) given to up to two (2) KALAGNY law student members who have displayed outstanding academic excellence, demonstrated commitment/support to KALAGNY and/or the Korean American community in the greater New York area and evidenced financial need to attend law school.

Yi SuYon will announce the scholarship winner(s) at the KALAGNY 40th Anniversary Gala on April 24, 2026.  Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the law school of the recipient(s) prior to each academic semester.

Eligibility: In order to be eligible for the Yi SuYon Law Student Scholarship Award, an applicant must be (i) a law student member of KALAGNY in good standing at the time of submission of the application, (ii) a J.D. candidate in good standing at an A.B.A. accredited law school in the greater New York area and (iii) have a good faith commitment that they will practice law in the United States post law school graduation. All rising 2^nd and 3^rd year law school students enrolled in the 2026-2027 academic year are eligible to apply.

Application: The Yi SuYon Law Student Scholarship Award applicants must submit all of the following documents in PDF format via e-mail to kalagny@gmail.com and must include the subject line “2026 Application Yi SuYon Law Student Scholarship Award” by Monday, March 16th, 2026:

1.        an essay of no more than 1000 words detailing (a) applicant’s past commitment to and support for the Korean American community in the greater New York area; (b) aspirations and plans to use his/her legal knowledge and skills to continue supporting the Korean American community after graduation; and (c) statement of financial need and/or hardships overcome in pursing their law school education, including other sources of financial aid or employment during the academic year;

2.       a current resume; and

3.       a copy of the applicant’s law school transcript.

Applicants may be asked by one or more members of the Yi SuYon Law Student Scholarship Committee to participate in an in person or virtual interview at the discretion of the Committee. In that event, the applicant will be contacted by e-mail to set up the interview.

The awardees will be notified in advance of KALAGNY’s 40th Anniversary Gala and provided with one (1) complimentary ticket to attend to receive the scholarship. If selected, each awardee consents to KALEFGNY and KALAGNY’s use of his/her name, photo and biography to be used to promote the scholarship and sign a release and acknowledgement consistent with the above scholarship requirements 

In addition, receipt of continuing scholarship funds during the academic year shall be contingent on the recipient meeting certain academic standards and pro bono requirements to serve the local Korean-American community as approved by KALEFGNY.