USA Scholarships
Amona and Suzel Ho STEM Leaders Scholarship 2027
The Amona and Suzel Ho STEM Leaders Scholarship is a Pauahi Foundation fund for full-time students working toward a STEM degree at an accredited two- or four-year college or graduate program. One scholarship is listed in the foundation guidebook each year, and the dollar amount depends on the fund. You may live in Hawaiʻi or anywhere in the continental US. Pauahi gives preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law, but the listing is open to all eligible US residents. Expect the 2027-28 application to open 1 October 2026 on the Pauahi scholarship portal, following the same mid-December close pattern as recent cycles.
What is the Amona and Suzel Ho STEM Leaders Scholarship?
The Amona and Suzel Ho STEM Leaders Scholarship sits inside the Pauahi Foundation portfolio, the community scholarship arm tied to Kamehameha Schools legacy work in Hawaiʻi. Pauahi runs more than two hundred funds for haumāna across the islands and the mainland, and this one spotlights STEM students who show leadership beyond the lab or lecture hall. Only one Ho STEM Leaders award is listed each year, so the competition is narrow even when the dollar figure is modest.
You do not have to study in Hawaiʻi to qualify. The fund explicitly welcomes residents of the State of Hawaiʻi and the continental United States, which makes it one of the few Pauahi awards with a truly national footprint. Pauahi still gives preference to students of Hawaiian ancestry where law allows, so Native Hawaiian applicants should say clearly how their STEM path connects to community need. Everyone else should lean on strong grades, service, and recommender letters that prove impact.
The practical calendar is predictable. Pauahi opens the next academic year application on 1 October and closes in mid-December. For the 2027-28 school year, plan on October 2026 through roughly 15 December 2026. Materials mirror other Pauahi funds: portal application, transcript, two recommendations (teacher or counselor plus employer or community leader), and essays that show why STEM matters to you. Amounts vary because each endowed fund pays out differently, so read your offer letter carefully.
If you are stacking Hawaiʻi-linked STEM aid, compare this fund with the University of Hawaiʻi ADB Scholarship 2027 for graduate work in Honolulu, the HIFICU Scholarship Program Hawaii 2027 for credit-union members, and the nationwide Supporting STEM Scholarship 2027 for a $1,000 top-up. Official rules and the live application link live on the Pauahi Foundation postsecondary scholarships page.
Eligibility
-
✓Full-time STEM studentYou must be enrolled full time in a two- or four-year undergraduate program or a graduate program with a major in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Part-time enrollment does not meet the fund criteria.
-
✓US residency in Hawaiʻi or the continental USThe scholarship listing is open to applicants in the State of Hawaiʻi and the continental United States. You do not need to attend a Hawaiʻi campus, but you must meet the residency rules on the live Pauahi application.
-
✓Community involvementPauahi expects involvement in community service or meaningful extracurricular activities. Your recommender from an employer or community organization should speak to character, achievement, and service.
-
✓Preference for Hawaiian ancestryFoundation policy gives preference to students of Hawaiian ancestry where law allows. Applicants without Hawaiian ancestry remain eligible if they meet every other requirement.
-
✓No minimum GPA listedThe public fund listing does not publish a GPA floor. Submit your most recent transcript and let your academic record, essay, and recommendations carry the review.
-
✓Complete Pauahi Foundation applicationYou apply through the shared Pauahi Foundation scholarship application, which may include essay prompts and fund-specific questions. You may apply to multiple Pauahi funds in one cycle.
Benefits
- Number of awards 1 recipient listed for this fund
- Award amount Varies by fund balance (confirm on award letter)
- STEM fields covered Science, technology, engineering, mathematics
- Study levels Two- or four-year undergraduate and graduate
- Geographic scope Hawaiʻi residents and continental US applicants
- Renewability Follow Pauahi renewal rules if offered for multi-year study
- Full tuition guarantee Not covered - partial fund award
- Room and board Not separately guaranteed
Document checklist
-
✓Pauahi Foundation online applicationComplete the scholarship application on the Pauahi portal when the 2027-28 cycle opens. Create an account early so you can save progress across the many available funds.
-
✓Most recent school transcriptUpload an official or unofficial transcript from your current college or, for new admits, your most recent institution. High school seniors use a current high school transcript if the portal allows.
-
✓Teacher or counselor recommendationOne letter from a teacher or counselor who can comment on your academic preparation and STEM focus.
-
✓Employer or community recommendationOne letter from an employer or community organization leader who can address your character, achievement, and contribution to the broader community.
-
✓Essay responsesAnswer every essay prompt in the Pauahi application. Tie your STEM goals to leadership and service rather than repeating your resume.
-
✓Proof of full-time enrollmentBe ready to show full-time status if the portal requests enrollment verification for your college or university.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Amona and Suzel Ho STEM Leaders Scholarship?
It is a Pauahi Foundation scholarship for one full-time student pursuing a STEM degree at a two- or four-year college or graduate program. The fund honors leadership in science, technology, engineering, and math and lists one award per cycle with a variable dollar amount.
Who can apply for the Ho STEM Leaders Scholarship?
Full-time undergraduate or graduate students in STEM who live in Hawaiʻi or the continental US may apply. Pauahi gives preference to students of Hawaiian ancestry where permitted, but the listing is open to all eligible residents. You need two recommendation letters and evidence of community involvement.
How much is the Amona and Suzel Ho STEM Leaders Scholarship worth?
The public listing does not fix a dollar amount. Pauahi sets awards from each fund balance, and this fund typically names one recipient. Treat it as partial funding toward tuition and related costs rather than a full ride.
When does the 2027 Ho STEM Leaders application open?
Pauahi opens the 2027-28 scholarship program on 1 October 2026. The portal stays open through mid-December in recent years. Confirm the exact close date on pauahi.org when the cycle goes live.
Do I need Hawaiian ancestry to win the Ho STEM Leaders Scholarship?
No. Ancestry is a preference factor, not a hard gate. Non-Hawaiian applicants who meet STEM, enrollment, and recommendation requirements remain eligible.
Can graduate students apply for the Ho STEM Leaders Scholarship?
Yes. The fund accepts graduate students as well as undergraduates, provided you are full time in a STEM field at an accredited institution.
What documents does Pauahi require for this fund?
Expect the shared Pauahi application, a transcript, two letters (one academic and one from an employer or community leader), and essay responses. Requirements can shift slightly each year, so follow the live checklist in the portal.
Can I apply to other Pauahi scholarships at the same time?
Yes. Pauahi encourages applicants to select every fund they qualify for within one application cycle. Each fund has its own criteria, but you do not file separate portal accounts for each award.
Scholarship Union
More in-depth scholarship guides curated by experts.
Related guides
Always verify scholarship details on the official source before applying. Information on this page may change.
Visit official website