USA Scholarships
Partial Funding Masters Professional the USA

Ashley Meleana Joy Scholarship 2027

Deadline Mid-December 2026 (confirm with Pauahi Foundation) 87 days left · Hosted by Pauahi Foundation · Published

The Ashley Meleana Joy Scholarship honors a graduate student working toward a medical-related degree through the Pauahi Foundation, the philanthropic arm connected to Kamehameha Schools'' legacy. Pauahi lists the award for classified, full-time graduate students in medical fields, open to applicants in Hawaii and on the US continent. The foundation gives preference to students of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law, yet mainland residents remain eligible. One scholarship is offered per cycle and the dollar amount varies, so treat the live Pauahi application as the source of truth. The 2027-2028 academic year portal opens October 1, 2026, with deadlines historically falling in mid-December. Email [email protected] if you need the exact closing date for your file.

One graduate award
Varies
Medical-related major
Graduate
2027-28 cycle
Oct 1 open
Hawaiian ancestry preferred
US mainland & HI
How to apply Am I eligible? Official website

What is the Ashley Meleana Joy Scholarship?

Graduate medical programs move fast, and tuition bills arrive just as quickly. The Ashley Meleana Joy Scholarship gives Pauahi Foundation a way to back one graduate student each year who is training for a medical career while staying rooted in community responsibility. You can live in Honolulu or in Ohio; the listing explicitly welcomes mainland students even though the foundation's heart is Hawaiian education and leadership.

Pauahi runs dozens of scholarships through one portal, and this named fund sits alongside STEM and health awards that share similar essay themes about culture, language, and service. Preference for Hawaiian ancestry is real, yet it is preference rather than a hard gate, so do not self-select out if your story connects to medicine and community impact without Hawaiian lineage.

Because only one student receives the scholarship per cycle and the amount shifts year to year, your best move is to prepare materials early and submit as soon as the October 1 window opens. Strong grades matter, but Pauahi also reads how you plan to give back after you earn the degree.

Who can apply

Eligibility

Your progress 0 / 6
  • ✓
    Classified graduate student
    Pauahi requires you to be a classified graduate student enrolled in a degree-seeking program, not an unclassified or non-degree visitor.
  • ✓
    Full-time medical-related study
    You must pursue a graduate degree in a medical field full time, matching Pauahi's listing for this named scholarship.
  • ✓
    US residency
    Applications are open to residents across the United States, including Hawaii and the continental states, per Pauahi's open-to-all geographic tag.
  • ✓
    Pauahi general scholarship criteria
    Expect to show interest in Hawaiian language, culture, or history and a commitment to contribute to the broader community, which Pauahi applies across many funds.
  • ✓
    Preference for Hawaiian ancestry
    Pauahi Foundation policy gives preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry where law allows. Mainland students without Hawaiian ancestry may still apply.
  • ✓
    Community service or activities
    BigFuture and Pauahi data note that community service or extracurricular involvement may strengthen your application narrative.
What you get

Benefits

  • Number of awards One recipient per cycle
  • Award amount Varies (confirm in portal)
  • Study focus Medical-related graduate degree
  • Geographic scope Hawaii and US continent eligible
  • Full tuition guarantee Partial funding only
  • Undergraduate students Graduate students only
What to prepare

Document checklist

Documents gathered 0 / 7
  • ✓
    Pauahi Foundation online scholarship application
    Complete the unified application at pauahi.org when the 2027-2028 cycle opens, selecting the Ashley Meleana Joy Scholarship where listed.
  • ✓
    Graduate program verification
    Show that you are classified and full time in a medical-related graduate program at an accredited institution.
  • ✓
    Essay responses
    Pauahi scholarships typically require essays about your goals, community ties, and alignment with foundation values; follow the live prompts.
  • ✓
    Transcripts
    Upload official or unofficial transcripts reflecting your graduate and prior academic record as requested in the portal.
  • ✓
    Financial information if required
    Some Pauahi funds ask for need data. This award is not strictly need-based on BigFuture, but complete every financial section shown.
  • ✓
    Resume or activity summary
    Document medical-field experience, research, clinical work, and community service that supports your essay themes.
  • ✓
    References if requested
    Provide recommender contact details when the application lists them, giving faculty or supervisors two weeks to respond.
Step by step

How to apply

Pauahi announces that the 2027-2028 application season begins October 1, 2026 on its scholarships listing page.
Register at pauahi.org/apply-for-a-scholarship so you can access every eligible fund, including Ashley Meleana Joy.
Verify with your registrar that you are a classified graduate student in a medical-related program before you certify eligibility boxes.
Explain how your medical training connects to service, and address Hawaiian culture or community contribution if it fits your story honestly.
Order transcripts early and list clinical, research, or volunteer work that shows you will contribute beyond the classroom.
Recent cycles closed around mid-December. Pauahi will post the precise timestamp when the portal opens; email [email protected] if unsure.
Monitor email and your Pauahi account after the deadline for interview or verification requests.
When

Deadline and timeline

Application deadline
Mid-December 2026 (confirm with Pauahi Foundation)
87 days left
October 1, 2026
Pauahi Foundation opens the unified scholarship application for the 2027-2028 academic year.
October - November 2026
Applicants complete essays, upload transcripts, and request any required references.
Mid-December 2026
Historical Ashley Meleana Joy cycles closed around mid-December; confirm the live date in the portal.
Winter 2026-2027
Foundation staff review applications and may contact finalists.
Spring 2027
Recipients are selected and notified for funding tied to the upcoming academic year.
2027-2028 academic year
Scholarship funds apply toward the recipient's graduate medical program costs per Pauahi rules.
Questions

FAQ

What is the Ashley Meleana Joy Scholarship?

It is a Pauahi Foundation graduate scholarship for students pursuing a medical-related degree full time. One award is granted per cycle, and amounts vary.

Do I have to live in Hawaii to apply for the Ashley Meleana Joy Scholarship?

No. Pauahi lists the scholarship as open to Hawaii and the US continent. Preference goes to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry where permitted by law.

When does the Ashley Meleana Joy Scholarship application open?

Pauahi opens the 2027-2028 scholarship season on October 1, 2026. The Ashley Meleana Joy fund appears within the unified application.

What degree level qualifies for the Ashley Meleana Joy Scholarship?

Only classified, full-time graduate students in medical-related fields may apply. Undergraduates are not eligible for this named award.

How much is the Ashley Meleana Joy Scholarship worth?

Pauahi does not publish a fixed amount in its public listing. Treat the award as variable and read the live application for the current cycle's value.

Does the Ashley Meleana Joy Scholarship require Hawaiian ancestry?

Ancestry is not an absolute requirement. Pauahi gives preference to students of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent allowed by law, but mainland applicants may still win.

How do I contact Pauahi about the Ashley Meleana Joy Scholarship?

Email [email protected] or call 808-534-8080 Monday through Friday during foundation office hours listed at pauahi.org.

Can I apply for multiple Pauahi scholarships at once?

Yes. Pauahi encourages applicants to apply for every fund they qualify for through the same online system when the portal is open.

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