USA Scholarships
Class of 1971 Get Chance Scholarship 2027
The Kamehameha Schools Class of 1971 "Get Chance" Scholarship gives graduating high school seniors a need-based shot at college when money would otherwise block the path. Pauahi Foundation administers two awards each cycle for full-time learners heading to accredited two- or four-year schools in Hawaiʻi or the continental United States. You must hold a GPA in the 2.5 to 3.0 range, document financial need, and write about hardships you have faced. Upload the Student & Parent Form, W-2s, and federal tax returns the portal lists for your cycle. Pauahi may prefer applicants of Hawaiian ancestry as permitted by law. Select this fund when the 2027-2028 application opens October 1, 2026 and closes December 1, 2026.
What is the Kamehameha Schools Class of 1971 "Get Chance" Scholarship?
The Class of 1971 named this fund for students who need a fair opening when grades sit in the middle of the pack and bills stack up fast. Pauahi Foundation runs two need-based awards each cycle for high school seniors who are ready for full-time college but cannot lean on family wealth alone. You are not competing for a merit trophy at a 4.0; the listing targets learners in the 2.5 to 3.0 GPA band who still have a credible path to an accredited two- or four-year school in Hawaiʻi or on the mainland.
Reviewers read your hardship essay closely. Name real costs, missed opportunities, or shifts in your household that shaped senior year, then tie those facts to how you plan to use college. Tax paperwork matters as much as prose: the Student & Parent Form, W-2s, and federal returns should match whatever tax year Pauahi posts for 2027-28.
Geography stretches from Hilo to Houston. Mainland residents and Hawaiʻi residents share one portal, with preference for Hawaiian ancestry where the law allows. Mark October 1 through December 1, 2026 for the 2027-28 window, compare criteria with the Kamehameha Schools Class of 1972 Scholarship 2027 only if you are already in college, and confirm uploads on Pauahi apply for a scholarship.
Eligibility
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✓Graduating high school seniorYou must be in your final year of high school with expected graduation before you enroll full time at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in Hawaiʻi or the continental United States.
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✓GPA between 2.5 and 3.0Pauahi lists a minimum GPA window of 2.5 to 3.0 for this fund. Your transcript should show grades inside that band at the time you apply.
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✓Demonstrated financial needThis is a need-based scholarship. Support your file with the hardship essay and the financial documents Pauahi requires for the 2027-28 cycle.
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✓Full-time college enrollment planPlan to enroll full time at an accredited post-high institution. Half-time paths are not listed for this fund.
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✓US residency in Hawaiʻi or continental USThe listing is open to qualifying residents in the State of Hawaiʻi and on the U.S. continent. Answer residency questions on the live application accurately.
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✓Preference for Hawaiian ancestryFoundation policy gives preference to students of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. Eligible applicants without Hawaiian ancestry may still receive an award when they meet need and senior-year criteria.
Benefits
- Number of scholarships 2 recipients per cycle
- Award amount Varies with endowed fund income
- Eligible institutions Accredited 2- or 4-year colleges in US
- Need-based selection Hardship essay and financial docs required
- Combined Pauahi applications Apply to multiple Pauahi funds in one cycle
- Full tuition guarantee Not covered
- Graduate study Not covered (high school senior fund)
Document checklist
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✓Pauahi Foundation online applicationRegister on the Pauahi portal when the 2027-28 cycle opens and select the Kamehameha Schools Class of 1971 \"Get Chance\" Scholarship in your fund list.
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✓Financial hardship essayRespond to the prompt asking you to describe financial circumstances or hardships you have faced, including how challenges affected your academic and personal life and how you managed them.
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✓Student & Parent Form and tax documentsUpload the Student & Parent Form, all applicable W-2s, and federal income tax returns for the tax year Pauahi specifies in the live checklist for 2027-28.
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✓High school transcriptProvide a transcript with current grades that shows your GPA within the 2.5 to 3.0 range and senior-year standing.
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✓FAFSA Student Aid Report if requestedComplete the FAFSA when your cycle requires it and upload the SAR if Pauahi lists it among required uploads for need-based funds.
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✓Resume or activity listDocument extracurricular work and community service through the Pauahi activities section or an uploaded résumé if the portal asks for it.
How to apply
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1
Read the Pauahi fund listing
Filter pauahi.org/scholarships-listing for the Class of 1971 \"Get Chance\" entry so you know essay wording and document rules before October 1, 2026.
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2
Gather tax and hardship materials
Collect W-2s, federal returns, and the Student & Parent Form early. Draft the hardship essay with specific examples of costs and how they shaped your path to college.
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3
Confirm GPA and senior status
Request an updated transcript from your counselor so reviewers see senior standing and a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 before you submit.
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4
Open the portal October 1, 2026
Create or refresh your profile at pauahi.org/apply-for-a-scholarship and add this Class of 1971 fund plus any other Pauahi awards you qualify for.
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5
Upload transcripts and financial files
Attach your high school transcript, tax PDFs, and the hardship essay. Verify that every upload matches the tax year listed on your dashboard for 2027-28.
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6
Submit before December 1, 2026
Complete the full application before Pauahi's Hawaiʻi-time cutoff on December 1, 2026 unless staff announce a different date.
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7
Watch for spring notifications
Pauahi notifies selected scholars after committee review. Keep [email protected] in your contacts and respond promptly to acceptance steps.
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Kamehameha Schools Class of 1971 Get Chance Scholarship?
It is a Pauahi Foundation need-based fund created by the Kamehameha Schools Class of 1971. Two awards support graduating high school seniors who document financial need, hold a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0, and plan full-time study at an accredited college in Hawaiʻi or on the mainland.
Who is eligible for the Class of 1971 Get Chance Scholarship?
Graduating high school seniors with a GPA from 2.5 to 3.0 who demonstrate financial need and plan full-time enrollment at an accredited two- or four-year institution may apply. The listing welcomes residents in Hawaiʻi and on the U.S. continent, with preference for Hawaiian ancestry where law allows.
What GPA do I need for the Get Chance Scholarship?
Pauahi lists a minimum GPA range of 2.5 to 3.0 for this fund. Students below 2.5 or above 3.0 do not match the published criteria, so confirm your transcript before you select the scholarship in the portal.
What essay does the Class of 1971 Get Chance Scholarship require?
You must describe the financial circumstances or hardships you have faced. Pauahi suggests explaining specific money challenges, how they affected your academic and personal life, and what strategies or resources helped you manage them.
When is the Class of 1971 Get Chance Scholarship deadline for 2027?
Pauahi opens the 2027-2028 application on October 1, 2026 and closes it on December 1, 2026 for PreK-12 and postsecondary scholarships. Submit every required upload through the portal before that cutoff.
How many Get Chance scholarships does Pauahi award?
The official community listing specifies two awards per cycle. Dollar amounts follow endowed fund income rather than one fixed public figure for every recipient.
Do I need Hawaiian ancestry to win the Get Chance Scholarship?
Ancestry is a preference under Pauahi policy, not a strict requirement. Eligible seniors without Hawaiian ancestry may still receive the award when they meet need, GPA, and enrollment rules.
Can I apply for other Pauahi scholarships with the Get Chance application?
Yes. Pauahi allows multiple fund selections in one application cycle. Choose every scholarship you meet and upload documents that satisfy the strictest criteria among them.
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