Take that next step with a scholarship from the Pauahi Foundation
If you’ve received a notice about missing documents or incomplete steps in your Pauahi Foundation scholarship application, you’re in the right place. This page will guide you through what’s needed to finish your application, answer common questions and help you submit everything on time.
The deadline to submit documents is December 30.
If your application lists Verification of Residency, this requirement applies because you selected a scholarship with criteria that require the applicant to be from a specific island, zip code, or city. Dependent students must submit parent documents. To verify the permanent address listed on the application, you must provide two separate documents: a valid State ID and a residential bill such as a utility bill, bank statement, or mortgage/lease agreement.
Some scholarships administered by the Pauahi Foundation may require applicants to reside in a specific region, city, island, or other geographic area. To verify residency, applicants must submit one (1) form of residency identification and one (1) residency document.
Residency 1 - Identification (Choose one):
Residency 2 - Documentation (Choose one):
We will accept any of the following documents, dated within the last 6 months prior to Sept 15, 2025:
Dependent applicants - If you are under 24, not married, without children of your own:
Submit residency documents under the name of a parent/legal guardian at the address listed on their scholarship application. The name and current address must be clearly visible and match.
Independent applicants - 24 or older, married, supporting children, enrolled in graduate school, a veteran or active-duty military, emancipated, or a ward of the court:
Submit residency documents under your own name and at the address listed on their scholarship application. The name and current address must be clearly visible and match.
To be considered for Pauahi Foundation’s need-based scholarships, applicants and their parent(s) as applicable must submit the following 2024 tax documents:
Alternatively, we can accept the IRS Tax Return Transcript and Wage and Income Transcript for 2024 which can be downloaded from the irs.gov/transcripts.
Applicants may obtain their school transcript by contacting their school’s registrar’s office, or if available, by downloading via their school’s online portal.
School transcripts MUST display the following:
Final grade information and cumulative GPA for the first 6 semesters of completed high school work as well as the courses you are registered in for the first semester of senior year.
For example, your completed Freshman, Sophomore & Junior years. Course work in progress for senior year.
Grades 9 through 12 final grade information and cumulative GPA for completed high school work including graduation date.
AND please also include a copy of your first term in college coursework.
Grades 9 through 12 final grade information and cumulative GPA for completed high school work including graduation date.
Grades 9 through 12 final grade information and cumulative GPA for completed high school work including graduation date.
Final grade information and cumulative GPA for each completed term through Spring 2025.
Dependent Student
You are considered dependent if you are under 24, not married, without children of your own.
Independent Student
You are considered independent if you are 24 or older, married, have dependents, are a veteran or active duty, are an orphan or ward of the court, were in foster care after age 13, are an emancipated minor or in legal guardianship, or are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Your document may have been declined for one or more of the following reasons:
Document Not Signed – Required signatures were missing. Taxes are required to be signed using a handwritten signature in ink or stylus. Font and typed signatures are not acceptable.
Missing Pages – The document was incomplete or missing required pages.
W-2 Forms Do Not Match Wage Line (1a) – The total wages reported on your W-2 forms do not add up to the amount listed on Line 1a of your tax return.
Blurry or Fuzzy Images – The uploaded document was unclear, making it difficult to read or verify information. Incorrect Document Type – A different document was uploaded instead of the required one.
Illegible or Unreadable Format – The file was too dark, too light, or otherwise unreadable.
Art Portfolio Not Redacted – Your art portfolio was submitted without removing personal identifiers. Please review the submission requirements at pauahi.org and resubmit a properly redacted portfolio.
Student ID Submitted Instead of Valid Parent ID – Dependent students must submit parent identification documents, not their own student ID. Bill Does Not Match Permanent Address or Does Not Relate to Residence – The residential bill provided does not match the permanent address listed on your application or is not related to the residence (e.g., unrelated service or account).
Duplicate or Wrong Document Submitted - The same document was uploaded multiple times, or the wrong tax year document was submitted.
Pauahi Foundation’s policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
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