Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Scholarships

By Rebecca Safier. November 26, 2024 · 7 minute read

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Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Scholarships

If you’re a Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander student, you may be eligible for a variety of scholarship opportunities. Scholarships for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders offer funding that you can put toward tuition and other college costs.

Unlike student loans, you don’t have to pay back scholarship awards. Finding and applying to these opportunities can be well worth the effort if they bring an otherwise unaffordable school within financial reach. Learn more about your opportunities for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander scholarship awards here.

Key Points

•   Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander scholarships aim to increase access to higher education for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) students, supporting communities historically underrepresented in colleges and universities.

•   Many scholarships focus on students dedicated to preserving and celebrating NHPI cultural heritage, encouraging cultural contributions through their studies.

•   Scholarships often support fields like health care, education, and environmental studies to empower NHPI students in professions that benefit their communities.

•   Many programs provide mentorship, networking, and additional academic resources to help NHPI students thrive in college and complete their degrees successfully.

•   In addition to scholarships, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students can apply for grants, federal student loans, and private student loans to help pay for college.

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Scholarships – Eligibility Requirements

Each scholarship will have its own set of eligibility requirements, so make sure to read the fine print before you apply. Along with being a Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, you may also have to meet other criteria, such as:

•   Minimum GPA

•   History of community service

•   Leadership through extracurricular activities

•   Achievements in athletics or another activity

•   Financial need, as determined by the FAFSA

Scholarships are awarded for all types of reasons, so do your research to find opportunities that are a good match for you.

How to Find Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Scholarships

Leave no stone unturned in your hunt for college scholarships. Some resources you can use to find scholarships include:

•   Your high school counselor or college financial aid office

•   Free scholarship search engines, such as Fastweb, Scholarships.com, Scholarship Search by Sallie, and College Board Scholarship Search

•   Organizations and professional associations related to your academic and other interests

•   Local businesses and associations, such as the Rotary Club

Make sure to submit the FAFSA, as well, to put yourself in the running for federal financial aid. This aid could include need-based grants for college, as well as work-study and fixed-rate federal student loans. This guide explains more about grants, scholarships, and loan differences.

Recommended: How to Complete the FAFSA Step by Step

Scholarships for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders

This list of scholarships for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders is a good starting point as you seek out funding for college.

1. Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF) Scholarships

The Hawai’i Community Foundation
oversees a variety of scholarship awards, including:

•   Blossom Kalama Evans Memorial Scholarship Fund: You must be a Hawaiian college junior, senior, or graduate student with financial need who attends a university in Hawaii to be eligible for this award. Preference is given to students who major in Hawaiian language or other fields related to native Hawaiian history, culture, and arts.

•   Elena Albano “Makaʻalohilohi” Scholarship Fund: This fund is reserved for residents of Maui County who are in recovery from a mental health, behavioral, or psychological disability.

•   Ida M. Pope Memorial Scholarship: This award is reserved for Hawaiian women who have a minimum 3.5 GPA and are majoring in a STEM field.

•   Ka‘ehu Scholarship Fund: Preference for this scholarship is given to Hawaiian women who identify as LGBT and have a record of community service or athletic involvement.

•   Rosemary & Nellie Ebrie Fund: This fund offers scholarships to Native Hawaiian students with financial need who were born on and spent most of their youth in Hawaii.

•   Hoʻoulu Scholarship Fund: You could qualify for this award if you’re a Pacific Islander who left college for at least a year and are looking to return to your education.

2. Hawaiian Civic Club Scholarships

Check out your local Hawaiian Civic Club for scholarship opportunities. Some examples include:

•   Koʻolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club: This group offers annual scholarships to students who show they are committed to perpetuating Hawaiian culture, have an acceptable GPA, and have a record of volunteer or community service.

•   Prince Kūhiō Hawaiian Civic Club: You may qualify for a scholarship from this club if you have a history of civic engagement and are an undergraduate, graduate, or vocational student.

3. Pauahi Foundation

The Pauahi Foundation provides financial support to people of Hawaiian ancestry. It administers over 400 scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students in a variety of fields. Some of its scholarships are merit-based, whereas others go to students who have financial need or come from a specific region. You can submit a single application on the foundation’s website to be considered for all the scholarship awards it oversees.

4. University Scholarships

There are a variety of universities in Hawaii with scholarships and tuition waivers for local students, such as Chaminade University of Honolulu and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Check with your college to find out about financial aid opportunities.

5. Asian & Pacific Islander American (APIA) Scholars

Asian & Pacific Islander American (APIA) Scholars provide scholarships between $2,500 and $20,000 to students who identify as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander. You must be an undergraduate attending an accredited college or university in the U.S. APIA specifically focuses on students who live at or below the poverty line, are the first in their family to go to college, or belong to an underrepresented ethnicity. APIA also runs an emergency fund that offers emergency grants to scholarship recipients who encounter unexpected financial hardship.

Types of Scholarships Available for NHPI Students

The most common types of scholarships are need-based or merit-based.

Need-Based Scholarships

Need-based scholarships go to students with financial need. Scholarship committees often look at your FAFSA to determine your financial need. You can submit this application on the Federal Student Aid website for free. Make sure to submit it every year you’re attending school so you can continue to access financial aid.

If you have financial need, the FAFSA can also connect you to the Pell Grant (worth up to $7,395 in the 2024-25 year), the work-study program, and Direct Subsidized loans.

Recommended: How College Financial Aid Works

Merit-Based Scholarships

Merit scholarships are awarded to students who have achieved in academics, athletics, or extracurricular activities. Some colleges offer merit-based awards to entice gifted students to enroll, though you typically won’t find merit-based awards at highly selective colleges.

You can sometimes find scholarships for random hobbies and interests, too. For instance, Duck Brand’s Stuck at Prom scholarship offers up to $15,000 to students who make their prom outfit out of Duck Tape.

Tips for Applying

Scholarship awards can be competitive, but these tips can help you put your best foot forward:

•   Apply early and often: Apply to as many scholarship awards as you’re able to, and make sure to get all your materials in ahead of the deadline.

•   Read the fine print: Each scholarship award has its own criteria, so read the instructions carefully to ensure you’re fulfilling the application requirements.

•   Gather your materials: You often have to provide your transcript and letters of recommendation. Request recommendation letters from teachers, coaches, and other adults whom know you well and can write a personalized letter that highlights your unique strengths.

•   Write thoughtful essays: Scholarship applications often ask you to answer essay questions about your future plans and how the award will help you achieve them. Put thought and time into these essays, and make sure to edit your responses before hitting submit.

•   Keep applying throughout college: You don’t have to stop applying to scholarships after you graduate high school. There are opportunities out there for current college students and graduate students, so apply year after year to gain this valuable gift aid for college.

The Takeaway

There are a variety of scholarships for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students. Use scholarship search engines, check with local organizations and colleges, and reach out to your school counselor or financial aid administrator to find opportunities.

By applying to scholarships, you can win valuable money for college and potentially reduce the amount you need to borrow in federal and private student loans.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.


Cover up to 100% of school-certified costs including tuition, books, supplies, room and board, and transportation with a private student loan from SoFi.

FAQ

Are there scholarships specifically for Native Hawaiian students?

Yes, there are some scholarships specifically for Native Hawaiian students, such as the Blossom Kalama Evans Memorial Scholarship Fund, Ida M. Pope Memorial Scholarship, and Elena Albano “Makaʻalohilohi” Scholarship.

What documents are required to prove NHPI heritage?

Read over the scholarship’s eligibility requirements to find out about any documents you need to provide to prove your NHPI heritage. These might include a passport, state ID, or birth certificate.

Do I need to be a full-time student for NHPI scholarships?

Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria. Read the fine print to find out if you must be enrolled full-time to qualify for the NHPI scholarship that you’re interested in.


photocredit: iStock/dougberry

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