USA Scholarships
Kalino Foundation Merit-Based Scholarship 2027
The Kalino Foundation, LLC Merit-Based Scholarship is a Pauahi Foundation fund for full-time undergraduates earning a Bachelor of Science who can show academic merit and a genuine pull toward medical, health, or wellness careers. Pauahi expects a minimum 3.0 GPA, a personal statement essay, documented community service or extracurricular activities, and your most recent school transcript inside the shared online application. One scholar is selected annually, and award size follows fund income rather than a published cap. Residents of the State of Hawaiʻi and the continental United States may apply, with preference for Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. Select this fund when the 2027-2028 application opens October 1, 2026 and closes December 1, 2026.
What is the Kalino Foundation Merit-Based Scholarship?
Kalino Foundation, LLC partners with Pauahi Foundation to back one merit scholar each year who is serious about health work and can prove it with grades and action. Reviewers look for a full-time Bachelor of Science student carrying at least a 3.0 GPA, a personal statement that reads like a real plan for medical or wellness careers, and activities that show you serve outside the classroom.
You apply through Pauahi''s shared postsecondary portal, not a separate Kalino website. Check the fund in the scholarship picker, upload your transcript, and list service or extracurricular roles with enough detail that committees can verify them. Preference for Hawaiian ancestry applies where the law allows, yet the listing stays open to eligible U.S. residents in Hawaiʻi and on the mainland.
Open the application October 1, 2026 for 2027-2028 funding and submit by December 1, 2026. Stack Kalino merit with other Pauahi funds you qualify for, but remember this award selects a single recipient, so your essay and GPA need to stand out in a crowded health-focused pool.
Eligibility
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✓U.S. residencyYou must be a resident of the United States. Pauahi lists Kalino for applicants in the State of Hawaiʻi and on the continental United States enrolled at accredited institutions.
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✓Full-time undergraduateEnroll full time as a classified undergraduate student at an accredited post-high institution for the academic year you seek funding.
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✓Bachelor of Science degree pathPursue a Bachelor of Science degree. Align your major, coursework, or career plans with medical, health, or wellness fields in your Pauahi profile and essay.
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✓Minimum 3.0 GPAMaintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA on the transcript you upload. Pauahi uses verified grades when committees compare merit files.
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✓Community or extracurricular recordDocument participation in community service, extracurricular activities, or related leadership in the Pauahi application activity sections.
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✓Health and wellness interestShow reviewers why medical, health, or wellness work matters to you through your personal statement, major choice, and volunteer or clinical experiences.
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✓Hawaiian ancestry preferencePauahi Foundation policy gives preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. The scholarship remains open to all eligible U.S. residents who meet merit criteria.
Benefits
- Number of scholarships One recipient per cycle
- Merit-based selection GPA, essay, and activities
- Eligible degree Bachelor of Science (health focus)
- Study level Full-time undergraduate
- Published dollar cap Varies with fund income
- Graduate study Not listed for this fund
Document checklist
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✓Pauahi Foundation online applicationRegister when the 2027-2028 cycle opens October 1, 2026. Select the Kalino Foundation, LLC Merit-Based Scholarship and complete shared profile sections.
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✓Personal statement essayWrite Pauahi's required personal statement explaining your goals, health or wellness focus, and how the award supports your B.S. path.
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✓Activities and service listEnter community service, extracurricular activities, and leadership roles with dates and hours so reviewers can verify merit beyond GPA.
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✓School transcriptUpload an official or unofficial transcript showing full-time enrollment status and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
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✓Letter of recommendation (KS seniors only)Current high school seniors attending Kamehameha Schools must submit one letter of recommendation. Other undergraduates follow the base Pauahi checklist unless the live portal adds fund-specific letters.
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✓Supplemental uploads if requestedPauahi may accept optional materials such as an FAFSA Submission Summary or additional letters when you apply to multiple funds. Upload only what the live checklist requires for Kalino merit.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Kalino Foundation Merit-Based Scholarship?
It is a Pauahi Foundation fund backed by Kalino Foundation, LLC that selects one full-time U.S. undergraduate each cycle based on academic merit, a 3.0 or higher GPA, and demonstrated interest in medical, health, or wellness careers while pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree.
What GPA do I need for the Kalino merit scholarship?
Pauahi requires a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on the transcript you submit. Committees also weigh your personal statement and documented community service or extracurricular activities.
When is the Kalino Foundation merit scholarship deadline for 2027?
Pauahi opens the 2027-2028 postsecondary application on October 1, 2026 and closes it on December 1, 2026. Upload your transcript and essay before that cutoff.
Do I have to major in nursing or pre-med for Kalino?
You must pursue a Bachelor of Science and show interest in medical, health, or wellness fields. That can include public health, kinesiology, nursing, pre-medical tracks, or related B.S. programs if your essay and activities support the focus.
Can mainland students apply for the Kalino merit scholarship?
Yes. Pauahi lists the fund for residents of the State of Hawaiʻi and the continental United States. You still apply through the same online portal and meet full-time B.S. and GPA requirements.
How much is the Kalino Foundation merit scholarship worth?
Pauahi awards one recipient annually without publishing a fixed dollar amount. Your award letter states the disbursement based on fund income and committee selection.
Is the Kalino merit scholarship need-based?
No. This fund is merit-based. Pauahi administers a separate Kalino Foundation Need-Based Scholarship if you must document financial hardship and tax forms instead.
Does Hawaiian ancestry help on the Kalino merit application?
Pauahi Foundation policy gives preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. All eligible U.S. residents who meet merit criteria may still apply.
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