Fukunaga Scholarship Foundation: Requirements and Opportunities for Hawaii Students
The Fukunaga Scholarship Foundation offers scholarships to encourage students from Hawaii to pursue higher education in business-related fields. The scholarship supports both high school and college students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership skills, financial need, and a commitment to contributing to the growth and welfare of Hawaii or the Pacific Islands region.
Purpose and Target Audience
The Fukunaga Scholarship Foundation's scholarships aim to encourage high school students in the State of Hawaii who intend to pursue a career in business to seek higher education at any accredited four-year college or university. College students who meet the requirements are also eligible to apply. The scholarship is open to Hawaii residents who are pursuing a business degree at any accredited four-year college or university.
Scholarship Amount and Duration
Four-year scholarships are awarded to students just entering college in increments of $5,000 annually. Assuming that eligibility is maintained, a total of $20,000 will be awarded over four years. Students already enrolled in college will receive awards varying in amount and duration depending on individual circumstances. The awards will cover only the remainder of the student’s originally approved undergraduate program. Each scholarship recipient from the 2024 cohort will receive $20,000 over four years (or a pro-rated amount over fewer years).
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Fukunaga Scholarship Foundation award, applicants must meet several criteria:
- Educational Background: Students must have graduated (or be graduating at the end of the current academic year) from a public, private, or charter high school in the State of Hawaii. Homeschooled students and those completing an accredited online high school program while residing in Hawaii are also eligible.
- Academic Standing: A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in high school (and college, if applicable) is required. The applicant's class standing will also be considered. To maintain scholarship eligibility, the recipient must demonstrate academic progress towards his or her degree by successfully completing a full-time course load each year aid is received. The minimum grade point average (GPA) to qualify for continued aid is 3.0, except in special circumstances.
- Citizenship and Residency: U.S. citizenship is required, and evidence of citizenship may be requested. Permanent resident (green card) holders do not qualify. The applicant must be a resident of the State of Hawaii.
- Career Goals: Applicants must intend to pursue a career in business or a related field and demonstrate a desire and the ability to further their education as a means of attaining and sustaining a career in business within the Pacific Islands region. Students must maintain an intent to have a career in Business. The scholarship will be discontinued if the student changes his or her goal of obtaining a career in Business.
- Personal Attributes: The applicant must impress fellow students, members of the faculty, and members of the community as an individual deserving of an opportunity to begin or continue higher education. They must have demonstrated personal attributes and the scholastic aptitude needed to achieve educational goals. The applicant must be interested in pursuing a career in Business and have participated in school activities and community service which demonstrate leadership and responsibility.
- Commitment to Hawaii/Pacific Islands: The applicant must plan to eventually return to Hawaii or the Pacific Islands region and contribute to its growth and welfare.
- Financial Need: The applicant’s need for financial assistance will be considered based on financial resources available through financial aid and through his or her family’s assets and income. All applicants must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Student Aid Report to be considered for this award. Demonstrated financial need is not necessarily a requirement.
Selection Criteria
Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, leadership qualities, a desire to attend college, special circumstances, financial need, and personal interviews. The Foundation awards scholarships to the most deserving applicants on the basis of academic standing, leadership ability, financial need, and a commitment to pursue a career in Business.
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Maintaining Eligibility
To maintain scholarship eligibility, recipients must demonstrate academic progress toward their degree by successfully completing a full-time course load each year aid is received. The minimum grade point average (GPA) to qualify for continued aid is 3.0, except in special circumstances. Students must maintain an intent to have a career in Business and must submit an essay at the end of each school year for continuance of their award.
The scholarship will be discontinued if less than a full-time course load is taken, if the student changes his or her goal of obtaining a career in Business, if the student no longer attends a qualifying four-year accredited college or university, if an acceptable GPA is not maintained, or if other requirements are not met.
Application Process
The Fukunaga Scholarship Foundation might not currently be accepting applications. Most scholarship programs only accept applications a few months ahead of their annual deadline. Based on previous application cycles, this scholarship is expected to reopen in January 2026.
Additional Opportunities
Besides the Fukunaga Scholarship Foundation, several other scholarship opportunities are available for students pursuing higher education:
- "Be Bold" Scholarship: A no-essay scholarship awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile.
- Niche Scholarship: Offers covering the cost of college expenses for four years.
- Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship: Open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education.
- Christian Connector Scholarship: Offers various scholarship drawings for Christian/Faith Based colleges and universities.
- Appily Scholarship: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and first-semester senior students for all majors and schools.
- Lenny Scholarship: Offers support to young individuals aged 16 and above, enrolled in college and residing in the US or India.
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Read also: Foundation Scholarship Details
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