Hawaiian Homes Commission Scholarships Program

2006 Prince Kuhio Scholars Front row, left to right: Russell Ili, Chrystie Naeole, Judy-Ann Oliveira (Hawaii Community Foundation) and Kalei Grant (Hawaii Community Foundation). Back row, left to right: Kerri Cummins, Kaiulani Hookano, Leinaala Salausa, Shannon Bucasas, Palama Lee, Elmer Kaai (Department of Hawaiian Home Lands), and Jaedine Enia (Hawaii Community Foundation).

Hawaiian Homes Commission Scholarships Program

The purpose of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Scholarships (HHCS) is to promote and support the educational advancement of native Hawaiians to achieve economic self-sufficenty. The HHCS provides financial award scholarships to qualified native Hawaiians enrolled as classified full-time students in degree-seeking programs at accredited post-high educational institutions. The scholarships are for an academic year and are to be used for the standard primary cost of education (limited to tuition, fees, books, supplies, and cost of living allowances).

General eligiblity requirements:

• Be native Hawaiian (50% or more Hawaiian ancestry) or Homestead Lessee (25% or more Hawaiian ancestry);
• Be enrolled as a full-time classified student in an accredited two-year, four-year or graduate degree program;
  
• Minimum GPA of 2.0 for undergraduates, 3.0 for graduate students.

The Hawai`i Community Foundation (HCF) will serve as the HHCS program administrator and handle all communication with applicants and recipients. All potential applicants are required to complete HCF's Scholarship Seeker Application. Applications are made available starting January 1 throught the HCF officers, or by calling 808-537-6333, or by e-mail at scholarships@hcf-hawaii.org. Downloadable applications are available at HCF's website: www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org. Online registration is also available. The HHCS deadline is MARCH 1.


DHHL Requirements:

Native Hawaiian Ancestry Qualification: HCF will provide DHHL a list of potential applicants for the HHCS program. DHHL will contact each potential applicant to verify his/her native Hawaiian ancestry or eligibility to receive benefits as provided in the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as Amended (homestead lessee at least 25% Hawaiian ancestry). This process may require potential applicants to provide genealogy documentation to DHHL.

Volunteer Service: As part of the HHCS, recipients are required to participate in community volunteer projects that enhance the general welfare and conditions of the Hawaiian people and/or communities in return for the educational opportunity made possible by this scholarship. HHCS recomments commnuity service projects or programs directly impacting Hawaiian homestead communities, agencies or organizations.

For additional information, please contact DHHL's Planning Office at 808-620-9480.

Vocational Education Scholarship Program

The Hawai`i Community Foundation is pleased to offer a scholarship program for the 2010-2011 academic year. Vocational education describes certification or degree programs designed to teach students skills for a specific segment of employment. Programs are available statewide, mainly through the University of Hawai`i Community College system and other smaller, private institutions. Vocational education programs include culinary arts, auto repair, diesel mechanics, cosmetology, computer graphics, and assistive medical technology.

Scholarships are made possible through the following funds at the Hawai`i Community Foundation:

Ouida Mundy Hill Memorial Fund	Ellen Hamada Fashion Design Scholarship
John and Anne Clifton Scholarship Fund	Snipes-Meyers-Vorhies Fund
Johanna Drew Cluney Fund	H.C. Shipman Scholarship Fund
Logan Nainoa Fujimoto Memorial Scholarship	Kaneta Foundation
Hew-Shinn Scholarship Fund*	Haseko Training Fund
Arthur Jackman Memorial Fund*	ABC Stores Vocational Educational Scholarship
Hawaiian Homes Commission CTE Scholarship Program**	Kahala Nui Scholarship Fund

Scholarship Terms and Amounts

If awarded, students will receive $500 per semester to be used toward tuition, books, fees, or supplies.  Scholarship checks will be mailed directly to the financial aid office and are disbursed upon verification of enrollment.  Students are eligible for the vocational education scholarship for a maximum of two consecutive academic years or four consecutive semesters.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a Hawaii residents enrolled in a vocational degree program (AS or AAS) in the UHCC system
• Be a full-time student
• First-time degree seeker with intention to go intot he workforce upon graduation

*Applicants who meet the criteria for the Jackman or Hew-Shinn fund may attend a licensed and accredited school in the state of HI and the mainland U.S.
**The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will contact eligible applicants for genealogical certification.

Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the application along with a personal statement addressing the following points:

1)Personal background and interests

2)Describe the vocational program you plan to pursue

3)Discuss your career goals

4)Anything else that would demonstrate that you are a worthy candidate

Applicants must also include a letter of recommendation from someone such as a teacher, counselor, employer or mentor in support of your application for the Vocational Education Scholarship.  The letter must be written within the last six months.

If you are awarded a vocational education scholarship, a progress report and grade transcript will be required in order to continue your scholarship beyond the first year or term.

If you have any questions about the Vocational Education Scholarship Program please contact Hawai`i Community Foundation at scholarships@hcf-hawaii.org or at 808-566-5570 or toll free from the neighbor islands at 1-888-731-3863.