Before Applying

There are several items and supplemental documents that you are able to prepare prior to the opening of the online scholarship application. The following tips may help expedite your online application submittal. If you have further questions, please contact us, we are here to assist you.

1. Download and Read Our 2012-2013 Scholarship Guidebook
Make sure to download and read our entire 2012-2013 Scholarship Guidebook. There are a number of important changes and deadlines that you should know.
2. Review
All scholarship funds are unique in their criteria and requirements. Read each description carefully to determine if you are qualified to apply for the fund, taking extra care in reviewing what additional documents are being requested of you. Check the Scholarship Listing frequently as funds may be added or deleted. Make a list of those scholarship funds and have it ready when you apply.
3. Hawaiian Ancestry Verification
If you would like to be considered under the Foundation’s Preference Policy you must complete the Hawaiian Ancestry Registration process. This is a separate process and is not monitored or handled by the Foundation. Processing and document submittal should be directed to the Kamehameha Schools’ Ho‘oulu Hawaiian Data Center (Data Center) and may take up to ten weeks to complete. All questions regarding Hawaiian ancestry registration and verification should be directed to the Data Center. Please see the Preference Policy page for contact information. 
4. Online Personal Statement
Prepare in a Word document, your answers to the three online personal statements. Limit your responses to 3,000 characters, then cut and paste your response into the space provided in the online application. Pay special attention to grammar, punctuation and spelling as your responses may be the only piece of information the selection committee has to gain a better picture of who you are.
  • Question #1: Many people entering college do so with a career choice already in mind. What career do you hope to pursue upon completion of your college studies, and what field(s) of study do you expect to help you in reaching that career goal? Or, if you have not yet decided on a career, then how do you think your college experience will help you in discovering a career path that would be meaningful to you?
     
  • Question #2: People help others in many ways: whether through daily interactions or through formal charitable organizations. Discuss some ways in which you have helped others, and how those experiences could serve as a model for ways in which other groups or organizations could serve the people of Hawai`i.
     
  • Question #3: Kamehameha Schools was founded by Ke Ali‘i Bernice Pauahi Bishop, who sought to provide educational opportunities for Native Hawaiian learners so that they could be good and industrious young men and women. What do you think “good and industrious” means in today’s world?
5. Additional Essay Questions
Select scholarship funds may ask for an additional essay. You can prepare these essays ahead of time by reviewing the criteria of the scholarship by accessing the Scholarship Listing. Additional documents or materials needed are marked in red bullet.
6. Letters of Recommendation
Certain funds require letters of recommendation. Review the Scholarship Listing for the type of letter of recommendation being requested. Ask the writer if they would be willing to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf and obtain their email address and contact information. Writers should be able to comment on your overall character, achievement and promise.
7. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Apply to www.fafsa.ed.gov using your 2011 completed and filed taxes. The Student Aid Report (SAR) is what will need to be submitted to the Foundation.
8. Official Transcript of Grade
Request your official transcripts from your institution as soon as you are able. During scholarship season, Registrar’s offices are often bogged down with transcript requests and are unable to process them in a timely manner. See Transcripts for additional information and situations.
9. College Acceptance Letter(s)
If you are a first time college student, a college student changing institutions, or matriculating from an undergraduate program to a graduate program, we will need a copy of your college acceptance letter(s). See College Acceptance Letter for additional information.

After you have reviewed all recommended documents and information, you can proceed with the scholarship application process by CLICKING HERE.