College scholarships
Important information
Applicants are required to be a Hawai‘i resident at the time of application submission. A Hawai‘i resident is defined as living continuously in the state of Hawai‘i for at least twelve (12) consecutive months prior to the date of application. For this scholarship program, a dependent student’s residency is based on his or her parent’s state of residence.
Renewal scholarship recipients are considered Hawai‘i residents if they meet the following requirements:
- Received an award disbursement in the 2024-2025 school year; and
- Will pursue the same degree program in the 2025-2026 school year
Enrollment in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program is required, however, non-traditional students enrolled half-time at a Hawai‘i institution may be considered.
A non-traditional student is defined as one of the following:
- Single parent
- Sole income provider
- Disabled (meets ADA definition)
- Homeless
- Ward of the Court
Supporting documentation must be provided to Pauahi Foundation during application processing to be given this special consideration. View the guidelines and required documents for non-traditional students.
To qualify for a college scholarship, you must be enrolled in a classified, degree-seeking program or a post-baccalaureate teaching certificate program at an eligible educational institution. Students enrolled at educational institutions in the United States accredited by the following regional accrediting organizations:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools — Commission on Higher Education
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges — Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
- Northwest Commission on Colleges & Universities
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges — Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges — Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities
Additionally, college scholarships may be available to students enrolled at international schools recognized by Kamehameha Schools.
For more information regarding specific international institutions and eligibility, please email scholarships@pauahi.org.
Financial need is determined by cost of attendance less estimated family contribution.
The number of years a student is eligible for an award is limited and is based upon the degree the student is pursuing. When determining the number of years a student has received funding, all college scholarships are included in the calculation. The following maximum funding table provides the number of years a student may receive funding by degree:
| Degree | Maximum funding eligibility |
|---|---|
| Associate (AA or AS) | 2 years |
| Bachelors (BA or BS) | 4 years |
| Total undergraduate eligibility | 4 years (Associate + Bachelor years combined) |
| Teaching certificate (TC) | 2 years |
| Masters (MA, MS, MBA) | 3 years |
| Doctoral | 2 years |
Professional degrees including, but not limited to:
| As specified by the university |
Complete one application (CSS Profile) to be considered for multiple scholarship opportunities:
Ho‘okawowo Scholarship
Kumu, or teachers, carry the responsibility of empowering our future generations with the knowledge and skills necessary to build a brighter tomorrow. They inspire our future leaders to strive for excellence, foster innovation, and nurture our keiki (children) to ensure a flourishing lāhui. We celebrate kumu for their wisdom and courage in making a difference, and we are honored to support their educational journeys through the following scholarship opportunities.
This need-based scholarship provides essential support to students pursuing degrees in education, Hawaiian language, and Hawaiian studies. Recipients of this scholarship should aspire to enter careers in Hawaiian culture-based and Hawaiian immersion teaching in the classroom.
See: Ho‘okawowo school listing
Ka‘i Lanakila Scholarship
This scholarship is available to the Kamehameha Schools classes of 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 who plan to enroll in a 2- or 4-year college program. Applicants may also qualify for funding if they are pursuing an eligible Certificate of Achievement program at a University of Hawai‘i Community College.
Mauō Scholarship
Kamehameha Schools and Arizona State University have partnered to provide scholarship opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at Arizona State University (ASU). ASU offers various learning options, including ASU Local, ASU Online, and ASU Onsite programs, allowing students to tailor their academic journey to their preferences and needs.
Nā Ho‘okama a Pauahi Scholarship (NHAP)
The NHAP scholarship is dedicated to nurturing the aspirations of Native Hawaiian learners, helping them blossom into 'ōiwi leaders. NHAP is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who can demonstrate financial need.
Po‘o Kula Scholarship
The prestigious Po‘o Kula scholarship is available to Kamehameha Schools’ Class of 2025 seniors. This scholarship is awarded to outstanding students committed to ho‘ōla lāhui as an E Ola! Graduate. To be eligible, applicants must meet the GPA requirements, be pursuing an undergraduate bachelor’s degree, and attend a post-high educational institution recognized by Kamehameha Schools on a full-time basis.
For renewal scholarship applicants
A renewal applicant for the following scholarship opportunities include students who were awarded, accepted and disbursed the same scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Nowelo Scholarship - KS Class of 2022 Cohort | For renewal applicants only
The esteemed Nowelo scholarship is open to students who were granted this scholarship from the class of 2022. Please be aware that in order to be eligible for an award in the school year 2025-26, you are required to submit an application along with all the necessary documents.
Po‘o Kula Scholarship - KS Classes of 2023 and 2024 Cohort | For renewal applicants only
The prestigious Po‘o Kula scholarship remains available to the students who were awarded this scholarship from the classes of 2023 and 2024. Please note that you are required to submit a Renewal Application and all required documents to be eligible for an award in school year 2025-26.
Renewal students are those who have accepted a College Scholarship award for the 2024-2025 school year and meet other requirements as outlined in our program eligibility.
Frequently asked questions
Your award amount will be re-evaluated based on the cost of attendance at your new school. Your next steps will be communicated to you once we receive and review your college application responses. Additional information and/or documentation may be requested.
You will be considered a “new” applicant because you will be entering a new degree program. Please complete and submit a CSS Profile.
If you are changing degree mid-year (e.g. bachelor’s during the fall semester and master’s during the spring semester), you will be considered as a “renewal” applicant during the fall semester and “new” applicant during the spring semester. Therefore, your spring award will be reevaluated. Your next steps will be communicated to you once we receive and review your college scholarship application (either through CSS Profile or the Renewal Application). Additional information and/or documentation may be requested.
Enrollment in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program is required. However, non-traditional students enrolled at least half-time at a Hawai‘i institution may be considered. If you were considered a non-traditional in prior year, your eligibility for 2025-2026 will be re-evaluated. Your next steps will be communicated to you once we receive and review your college scholarship application through the CSS Profile or the Renewal Application. Additional information and/or documentation may be requested.
