General Program Requirements
Individual scholarship funds will require the applicant to meet other conditions. Review the Scholarship Listing for specific requisites. Applicant must:
- Be a classified, degree-seeking student
- Be attending an institution in Hawai‘i or the continental U.S.
- Be a full-time student unless specifically noted in the Scholarship Listing
- Be attending a two or four-year accredited* institution
*See Accrediting Agencies page for a list of accrediting bodies
General FAQs
How many Foundation scholarships are available this year?
Over 100 scholarship funds are available this year, with each fund varying in criteria and the number of awards distributed.
Do I have to be a state of Hawai‘i resident to apply?
No, not necessarily. A majority of scholarship are not restricted to Hawai‘i residents, however, there are scholarships that do require applicants to be Hawai‘i residents or require you to attend a college/university in Hawai‘i.
Is there a difference between the Pauahi Foundation Scholarship Program and the Kamehameha Schools Post-High Financial Aid scholarships?
Yes, there is and you may want to consider applying for both. Foundation scholarships are funded by private donors and are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or donor specified criteria. Kamehameha Schools’ scholarships are funded annually by the Kamehameha endowment through the Kamehameha budgeting process, which is separate from the Foundation’s funds.
Do I need to be of Hawaiian ancestry to apply?
Applications are open to the general public, however, it is the policy of the Pauahi Foundation to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. See Hawaiian Ancestry Verification page.
Do I need to reapply if I received a scholarship last year?
It depends upon which scholarship you received. The Foundation has several scholarships designated as “multi-year” scholarships in which you will receive funding for designated years provided you comply with requirements on an annual basis. Other scholarships, which do not have the “multi-year” designation, are funds that require an annual application submittal.
Can I apply for more than one Pauahi Foundation scholarship?
Yes, as long as you fulfill the eligibility requirements for all scholarships you apply for.
Documents
___Online application
- Includes answering the four mandatory essay questions
- Selection of scholarship funds
- Any additional essay questions
Online Application FAQs
What do I do if my essay is being cutoff?
All essay entries have a limitation of 3,000 characters, which is counted by each stroke on the keyboard (characters, spaces, returns). The counter at the bottom of the entry block indicates the number of characters you have remaining and will display a negative number if you are over the 3,000 character limit. In the event of an overage, you will need to edit your entry down to the 3,000 character limit.
What if I can’t find my institution in the application’s drop-down list?
First, check that your institution is accredited by referencing the Accrediting Agencies page. If you institution is accredited by one of the bodies above, click on “Other” and type in your institution in the text box provided.
Why can’t I click on the “Review Documentations” tab?
The “Review Documentations” tab will only become clickable after you’ve submitted your online application, i.e. you’ve clicked the “Submit” button at the end of the online application.
May I make changes to my online application once it has been submitted?
No, once your online application is submitted request for changes must be submitted in writing prior to the deadline via email to scholarships@pauahi.org
___Official transcripts – see Transcript page
Supplemental Documents
___Letters of recommendation (LOR)
- As required by the specific fund
- Accepted only through our online portal
LOR FAQs
What if I don’t have a teacher or counselor that is able to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf?
The requirement of submitting letters of recommendation for select funds is set forth by the donors. If you are unable to find the specific type of writer, i.e. educator, community or employer, then you may have to evaluate your eligibility for the scholarship.
Can a family member write a letter of recommendation on my behalf?
No. Letters of recommendation from family members are not accepted. If a letter if found to be from a family member and you are awarded a scholarship, the scholarship will be rescinded and awarded to the next eligible ranked student.
Can the same letter of recommendation be applied to multiple scholarship funds?
Yes, as long as it satisfies the specific type of recommendation required for each scholarship fund.
___Student Aid Report – see FAFSA page
___Art portfolio
- Only if you are applying to the Ula Baker Sheecha scholarship or the Native Hawaiian Visual Arts scholarship
- Submit a hard-copy portfolio of pictures of works of art
- Attach a separate page with your name and KAPF ID#
- Portfolio will not be returned once submitted