Navigating College Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide for Kamehameha Schools Applicants and Native Hawaiian Students
Securing funding for higher education can be a daunting task, but numerous resources exist to support aspiring Native Hawaiian students. This article provides a detailed overview of scholarship opportunities, application requirements, and support services available, particularly for those connected to Kamehameha Schools.
Resources for Native Hawaiian Students
He Ipu Ka‘eo serves as a valuable directory, connecting Native Hawaiian students with resources for post-secondary education, encompassing both college and career training programs.
Hawaiʻi Community Foundation Scholarships
Several scholarships are administered by the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation. One example is the Ida M. Scholarship, specifically for residents of Kaua‘i or Ni‘ihau Island. The application is available at www.pkhcc.org. Preference is given to Hawaiian students with a history of community service or volunteer work, and those pursuing degrees in Hawaiian language, studies, culture, Journalism, or Education.
Ke Aliʻi Pauahi Foundation Scholarships
To be eligible for Ke Aliʻi Pauahi Foundation scholarships, applicants must register with the Hoʻoulu Hawaiian Data Center. Note that the registration process can take up to 10 weeks.
Hawaiian Tuition Waiver at Honolulu Community College
The Hawaiian Tuition Waiver supports Native Hawaiian students accepted into a degree-seeking program at Honolulu Community College. Eligibility requires demonstrated financial need and enrollment of at least half-time (6 or more credits).
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Financial Aid within the UH System
Native Hawaiian students within the University of Hawaiʻi (UH) system who demonstrate financial need should apply for financial aid through their campus financial aid offices. Available aid includes grants and scholarships, work-study programs, and loans. Financial aid awards often comprise a combination of these. Both currently enrolled and newly admitted college students can apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Support Services on College Campuses
College campuses offer a range of support services designed to help students succeed, particularly Native Hawaiian students.
Native Hawaiian Student Services Program
This program provides tutoring, free computer and printing access, academic counseling, internship programs, wellness counseling, technology workshops, and community huaka‘i (field trips). These services are available to all Native Hawaiians, regardless of their major.
Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center
The Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center offers academic advising, tutoring, peer mentoring, assistance with financial aid (especially scholarships giving preference to Hawaiians), and career planning and preparation, including placement with mentors and internships both on and off campus.
Kaiao Student Success Center
The Kaiao Student Success Center provides guidance and support to help students achieve their educational goals. This is accomplished through cultural enrichment activities, including field trips, hands-on cultural experiences, and networking opportunities with other Hawaiian students. Kaiao also offers tutoring and counseling services, as well as a computer lab.
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Hulili Ke Kukui Hawaiian Center
The Hulili Ke Kukui Hawaiian Center is dedicated to actively preserving and perpetuating Hawaiian culture and values. The center provides academic advising, career development, four-year transfer assistance, and tutoring.
Po‘i Nā Nalu
Po‘i Nā Nalu provides Native Hawaiian students in career and technical education programs with support services to successfully navigate through higher education and beyond.
The Kapoʻoloku Program for Native Hawaiian Student Success
The Kapoʻoloku Program for Native Hawaiian Student Success ensures that Kapi’olani Community College (KCC) programs and services are equitable for students of Hawaiian ancestry. The program reinforces the importance of education by promoting personal growth and development within the social, community, and cultural contexts of Hawai’i’s history. Services are provided at the Manele lab and include peer tutoring, academic advising, computer access, and assistance with financial aid and scholarship applications.
Kūlia ma Kapiʻolani
Kūlia ma Kapiʻolani, a Native Hawaiian Career & Technical Education project, assists Native Hawaiian students pursuing Career and Technical Education (CTE) in graduating and seeking employment in their chosen fields.
Lunalilo Scholars
Lunalilo Scholars identifies individual needs and provides support, tools, and resources for Native Hawaiian students to build a foundation for success in their first year of college.
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Paepae ‘Ōhua Native Hawaiian Student Services Program
The Paepae ‘Ōhua Native Hawaiian Student Services Program promotes a holistic Hawaiian cultural foundation experience, empowering all learners to maximize their potential by supporting personal development, cultural identity, and academic success.
Understanding the Kipona Scholarship and Recent Changes
The Kipona Scholarship was Kamehameha’s third-largest external financial aid program. It emerged from an effort in the mid-2000s to extend Kamehameha’s reach to more Native Hawaiian students than its campuses could accommodate. In 2024, the scholarship provided $7.1 million in aid to students.
Kamehameha Schools made the decision to end the Kipona Scholarship program, which provided financial aid to hundreds of students attending other private schools. While current recipients can continue to reapply for financial aid from Kamehameha, new applications are no longer being accepted. The scholarship initially supported students entering kindergarten and later expanded to include other grades. Awards considered a family’s financial need and tuition costs.
Kamehameha distributed $33.8 million in internal financial aid to over 4,000 of the 7,100 students enrolled on its campuses, according to financial reports.
The impact of the program’s end for new applicants may not be immediately apparent until the next application cycle. Saint Louis School, an all-boys school, has been a major recipient of aid from Kamehameha.
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