Scholarship Resources

Hulili Ke Kukui provides assistance to students who need help applying for scholarships. We regularly hold workshops at the Hawaiian Center and we can also schedule one-on-one appointments with students to walk you through the scholarship application process. You can also download our Native Hawaiian Scholarship Guide (see below). The guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to look for scholarships, how to write a personal statement, how to request a birth certificate and register for Kamehameha Schools’ Hoʻoulu Database, and resources on scholarships.

• Scholarship Handbook
• Scholarship Application Checklist
• Student Loan Tracker Handout

Best Practices

Start Early!!!

• Begin your scholarship research as soon as possible. You can sign up for a free account with search engines like Fastweb to make the research process easier. 
• Another great resource is the College is Within Reach. They offer free webinars on how to apply for scholarships and FAFSA.
• Waiting too long could result in missed deadlines.
• Some applications are available as early as November.
• The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA, opens up on October 1st and students are encouraged to complete their application by March 1 in order to be considered for the maximum amount of scholarships. Visit FAFSA Help for step-by-step instructions on how to apply for FAFSA.

Stack up the small scholarships

• Studies show that families often overlook scholarships that are less than $500.
• Adding up multiple small awards may prove to be a benefit in your scholarship quest.

Never Assume

• Even if you do not have straight A’s or are not great in athletics, do not think that there is nothing available to you.
• There may be scholarships available based on hobbies, interests, background, financial need, etc.

Check Your Financial Aid Office 

• The largest amounts of financial aid come from federal, state, institutional grants and tuition discounts.
• They can help you find additional information on available scholarships, grants and loans.

Don’t Get Scammed

• Scholarship scams will charge you a fee to do a scholarship search which you can do yourself for free.
• DO NOT PAY any fee for any scholarship searches.

Be Organized

• Make a list of all documents required for each scholarship you are applying for and track all sent dates.
• Requirements vary but may include community service hours or submitting your transcripts. *Some scholarships allow you to re-apply if you fulfill all requirements.
• Keep a record of all post-award requirements and be one step closer to securing another award.

Be Smart

• Keep copies of everything you submit.
• Be sure to submit a copy unless you are asked to submit the original document.

Be On Time

• Be aware of varying due dates.
• December is the time to begin applying and many scholarships are due March 1st thru May.

Get Involved!

• It is never too late to look good on your applications.
• Volunteering and participating in extracurricular activities (i.e. Poʻi Nā Nalu) may give you the edge over other applicants.

Avoid Common Mistakes

• Follow directions, write legibly, proofread and check for spelling mistakes.
• Make sure to answer the specific questions given—don’t ramble.
• Look at examples of successful personal statements and essays for inspiration (i.e. Fourteen Scholarship Essay Examples That Won Thousands or Winning Essays).

Requesting Transcripts

Most scholarships require that you submit a transcript. If you have taken classes at Honolulu Community College, you should visit Honolulu Community College Admissions and Records to request a transcript. 

Please keep in mind that if there is a financial obligation hold on your account your request will not be processed. Please resolve these and any holds prior to making a transcript request.

Transcripts are processed within 7 working days of the date of receipt, for a fee of $5.00 per copy. (Honolulu CC Transcript requests are no longer required within the University of Hawaiʻi System. See your Home Institution for further information.) Rush requests are processed within 24 hours for a fee of $15.00 per copy. Processing time DOES NOT include mail delivery. Official transcripts of credits earned at other institutions are not available for distribution by Honolulu CC. Please make checks payable to: University of Hawaiʻi . Do not send cash. The College is not responsible for undeliverable transcripts or transcripts not claimed within 30 days. 

There are three ways in which you can request for a transcript:

1. Complete the Transcript Request Form (PDF) online, sign and mail it to the Records Office with your check payment.
2. Visit the Records Office in-person in Building 6, 1st Floor.
3. Online Ordering. For an additional $2.50 processing fee, order your transcript online through National Student Clearinghouse. Payment is only by debit/credit card (must have a valid email address).

List of Scholarships

There are numerous resources available to help you pay for school:

General Scholarships

UH Common Scholarship
UH Foundation Scholarships
Hawaiʻi Community Foundation
AAUW Honolulu Academic Scholarship
Windward AAUW Scholarship
Charles R. Kendall HGEA Scholarship
HGEA Union Strong Scholarship
Adult Students in Scholastic Transition Scholarship
Hawaiʻi USA Federal Credit Union Scholarship
Duke Kahanamoku Foundation Scholarships
Palama Settlement Scholarship
Hawaiian Financial Federal Credit Union Scholarship
Gates Millennium Scholarship Program
The Voyager Scholarship (Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service)
Aloha Will Save the World Scholarship

Scholarships for Native Hawaiians

Honolulu Community College Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver
Niuhelewai Scholars
Office of Hawaiian Affairs Scholarship Information
Kamehameha Schools Nā Hoʻokama & ʻImi Naʻauao Scholarships
Ke Ali‘i Pauahi Foundation
Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu
Prince Kūhiō Hawaiian Civic Club
Mākaha Hawaiian Civic Club 
Contact kaluhiokalanik@aol.com for an application.
Pearl Harbor Hawaiian Civic Club
For information visit http://pearlharborhcc.org
‘Ahahui Siwila ‘O Kapolei 
For information email kapoleihcc@yahoo.com
Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club 
For more information email drelison@gmail.com
Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club
For more information, contact the Scholarship Committee Chair, Cheryl Prince, at prince@hawaii.rr.com
Waikīkī Hawaiian Civic Club 
For more information email malianob@gmail.com
UH-OHA Hoʻonaʻauao Higher Education Scholarship Program
Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program
Mauli Ola Mālamalama Scholarship
ALU LIKE, Inc. Hana Lima Scholarship
Aloha Hawaiʻi ʻŌnipaʻa Scholarship
Hoʻokahua Scholarship
Nā Hōkua STEM Scholarship
South Pacific Islander Organization Scholarships
Asian Pacific Islander Scholarship Fund & AANAPISI Scholarships

Scholarships for Specific Majors

Automotive Technology

Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation Scholarship
PEP Boys Scholarship
American Muscle Automotive Scholarship
Garage Gurus Scholarship
Standard Motor Products Scholarships
Automotive Hall of Fame Scholarship

Early Childhood Education

PATCH Early Childhood Education Scholarship

Fire and Environmental Emergency Response

ʻOnipaʻa Scholarship