What is a college or university scholarship?

Scholarships are financial aid awards designed to help students pay for an undergraduate degree. Sometimes a scholarship is a one-time check. Other school scholarships are renewable and provide money for students each semester or school year. These awards differ from student loans in that they don’t have to be repaid.

Students might receive the money directly as a check in their name. In other cases, the money is given to the student’s school. In these cases, the student would then pay the school for the difference on any money owed for tuition, fees, room and board. If the scholarships and other forms of financial aid are enough to cover the direct college costs, the excess money is refunded to the student.

How can the money be spent?

Scholarship checks awarded in your name can be spent on anything, but you would be wise to look at this as an investment and not a free pass to splurge on video games or concert tickets. This money is for school expenses. This could mean tuition, but it could also be books, pencils, housing, food (you can’t study on an empty stomach) or even computers and software.

When you receive the scholarship money depends on the scholarship you won. Sometimes you get the money in one chunk before school begins, and in other cases the money is distributed in installments. Sometimes a scholarship may be paid out in the middle of a semester.

Where do they come from?

Scholarships come from a variety of different sources, including clubs, organizations, charities, foundations, businesses, colleges and universities, the government and individuals. Colleges and universities offer financial assistance in the form of merit aid as well, so don’t forget to contact the schools you are considering to see if you qualify for any merit aid.

Who gets scholarships?

Scholarships aren’t awarded just to students with a 4.0 GPA. Each scholarship has its own criteria. Some scholarships are awarded based on need. For others, you must be a member of an organization, be studying a certain field or fit whatever guidelines the group awarding the money decides upon.

Regardless of whether you excel in academics, you should be able to find several scholarships that work for you. There are even scholarships intended for students living in a particular state or town. You can continue to apply for scholarships during your collegiate years all the way up to Ph.D. studies.

https://www.cappex.com/articles/money/how-do-scholarships-work

No one is going to just give you a scholarship.....you have to find them and apply!  Check with your community organizations, businesses, churches, banks/credit unions, parents' employers/unions, associations (e.g. Girl/Boy Scouts, Soccer Clubs, Fraternities/Sororities, pageant competitions, etc.). You can also research past scholarships and see if they are still available. 

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/how-to-find-local-scholarships-in-your-own-backyard

A scholarship database houses hundreds to thousands of scholarships at its website. Most databases are free.  However, if a database asks you to pay a fee, you have to ask yourself if this service is worth paying for especially since there are many free databases out there. Once you create a personal profile, the site’s search feature will help match you to scholarships that best fit your profile, strengths, needs, interests, skills, and accomplishments.

Here are some popular databases:

• Fastweb.com

• Hawaii Community Foundation

• ScholarsApp.com 

• StudentScholarships.org

• Bold.org

• College Board: Big Future 

• Quest Bridge

• RaiseMe

• Pauahi Foundation (for Native Hawaiian students) 

• Office of Hawaiian Affairs

•  University of Hawaii System Scholarships-open to students applying to any UH campus 

More links:

• 10 Sites to Kick Off Your Scholarship Search

•  Warning Signs of a Scholarship Scam

A short video explaining WUE eligibility and how to apply for the WUE rate

The WUE Tuition Savings Finder, an online dashboard with school profiles, eligible majors, and estimated tuition savings across the West
A downloadable PDF list of participating WUE schools
A slide deck highlighting WUE's benefits for your presentations
Our Frequently Asked Questions page    

A merit scholarship is a financial award that students receive based on their academic success in high school. Merit scholarships are not only limited to a student's grades, but also consider factors such as leadership roles, ACT and/or SAT scores, extracurricular activities and school or community involvement.

Types of Merit Scholarships:

Academic: 

Most merit scholarships reward academic talent, so if you excel in this area, you’re in luck. Academic merit scholarships typically require a minimum GPA and/or certain test scores. Did you ace your SAT/ACT? Are you on track to be a Class Valedictorian? Are you the first in your family to attend college? These are some examples of merit scholarships that you may qualify for. Some schools will automatically award you a merit scholarship while others will require you to complete a separate application.

Athletics: 

Private organizations and colleges are always looking to recognize students for the skill and dedication they apply to their sport. Typically, the colleges you’re applying to will offer athletic scholarships if you plan on playing at the collegiate level. For opportunities outside of your prospective institution, reach out to your coaches, local organizations, and national databases. 

Arts: 

There are thousands of scholarships designed to reward artistic talent. If you’re a musician, artist, or actor, look for scholarships in your field! These scholarships typically require a portfolio, so make sure you have enough time to complete it before the application deadline. 

Special interest: 

The main objective of private scholarship organizations is to reward talent—any talent regardless of how niche it may be. You’d be surprised by how many scholarships there are for particular interests like duck calling and veganism. Take stock of your interests and hobbies, and find ways to get paid for them! 

Types of Merit Scholarships

What does "Stacking a Scholarship Mean?"

Applying for scholarships can be new and exciting experience and at the same time scary.  How do you know if a scholarship or scholarship database is legitimate?  Click on some of the links below to learn more about avoiding scams.  Here are some general rules to follow:

• Never give out your social security number or bank information. It's more than likely a scam.

• If you have to pay a fee to join a scholarship database or search for scholarships, then I would pass.  There are a lot of free, legitimate databases out there that you can use instead.

• If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.  

• If you are not sure, then investigate!  Research the institution or company offering the scholarship.  Websites that end with .org are usually non-profit agencies and are usually not looking to make money off of you.  The scholarship databases that are posted on this website above are all legitimate.

• Not sure?  Check with your friendly College & Career Counselor Mr. Okoji!

Links:

College Board:  Avoiding Financial Aid Scams 

Beware! How to identify scholarship scams 

How to recognize and avoid scholarship scams

1. Start asking your teachers, counselors, coaches, mentors, employer, etc. to write you a letter of recommendation. Ideally, you should have three letters of recommendation.  If you cannot obtain three, then two letters should be ok.  Try to get one letter from a core teacher (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Language, Advanced Placement) and one from someone who knows you outside of the classroom (e.g. counselor, coach, pastor, employer, etc.).   Be sure to give your recommenders ample time to write the letter  (at least 3 weeks advanced notice)  and when you need it by.  If you have a resume and/or personal statement, give it to them.  The most important thing is that your recommender should "know you" and be able to write a strong letter (regardless if they are a core teacher or not). Also, have an honest conversation with your recommender if they feel like they can write you a STRONG letter. If not, you may want to find another person to write your letter.

2. Create a Personal Statement. Write a one to two page letter about yourself. You can write about your goals, ambitions, and challenges.  Only share things that you would like to share out.  This will help them get to know you more as a person, learn about your goals, ambitions, & challenges, and write a more detailed letter about you.

3. Create a Resume.  A resume is a snapshot of your accomplishments, activities, and experiences. You can give your recommenders a copy of your resume to help support your letter of recommendation. Some scholarships also require you to send a resume in.

Scholarship Process and Procedure

Kapolei High School

Process and procedure for scholarships that require school based decisions is outlined below

• Scholarship Eligibility and Selection Criteria

  • Each scholarship has eligibility and selection criteria that is provided/approved by the scholarship organization/individual

  • Scholarship applicants who meet the eligibility criteria are assessed by the scholarship committee

    • Eligibility and selection criteria can include but is not limited to things such as:

      • Academic merit

        • Grade Point Average (GPA)

        • Courses taken 

        • Standardized test scores

        • Class Rank

      • Equity criteria

        • Financial hardship according to the FAFSA SAR, free/reduced lunch program, etc. 

      • Personal attributes

        • Leadership, proactivity, teamwork, etc. 

      • Community involvement

        • School and extracurricular activities 

      • Letters of recommendation

      • Performance at interview

      • Post high school plans 

• Applicants who best meet the criteria will be selected

  • All decisions made by the Scholarship Committee are final 

• Scholarship Committee

  • The recommendation of the members on the scholarship committee will be made by school level and community based individuals

  • The selection of the members will be made with these factors in mind:

    • Diversity of the committee 

    • Has had minimal interactions with the applicants of the scholarship

    • Ability to complete scholarship committee duties and responsibilities in a timely manner 

    • Willingness to volunteer personal time

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the scholarship procedures and practices at Kapolei High School, please contact our Principal Wesley Shinkawa at 305-8008 or wesley.shinkawa@k12.hi.us. 

Annual Notice Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment

The Hawaii State Department of Education (Department) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,

national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, and

religion. This requirement extends to all of the Department’s programs and activities, including

employment and admissions as applicable.

More information can be found in Exhibit A Annual Notice

Please direct inquiries regarding HIDOE nondiscrimination policies as follows: 

Civil Rights Compliance Branch

Hawaii State Department of Education

P.O. Box 2360

Honolulu, Hawaii 96804

(808) 586-3322 or relay

CRCB@k12.hi.us

Beth Schimmelfennig, Director

Rhonda Wong, Compliance

Aaron Oandasan, Title VI

Toby Yamashiro, Title VII

Nicole Isa-Iijima, Title IX

Krysti Sukita, ADA/504

Equity Specialist for Schools in the Campbell-Kapolei Complex

You may also contact this person for questions or concerns relating to non-discrimination and anti-harassment at your school:

SHARI DELA CUADRA

Phone Number: (808) 829-7168

Equity Specialist (Campbell-Kapolei Complex)

HIDOE Civil Rights Compliance Office

Mailing Address:

Office of the Superintendent - Leeward District Office

601 Kamokila Boulevard, Room 588

Kapolei, Hawaii 96707

Email Address:

sdelacuadra@crco.k12.hi.us