USA Scholarships
Class of 1973 Proud to be 73 Scholarship 2027
The Kamehameha Schools Class of 1973 Proud to be 73 Scholarship honors alumni who want Hawaiian-focused charter school graduates to keep moving through college and graduate school. Pauahi Foundation lists two awards per cycle for students who graduated from a Hawaiian-focused charter school in Hawaiʻi and enroll at least half time in associate, bachelor''s, or graduate programs at accredited institutions in Hawaiʻi or on the U.S. mainland. Reviewers look for community service, extracurricular involvement, and genuine interest in Hawaiian language, culture, or history. BigFuture classifies the fund as not need-based, so you are not required to submit Pauahi''s financial hardship packet for this listing alone. Pauahi may prefer applicants of Hawaiian ancestry as permitted by law. Select the scholarship when the 2027-2028 postsecondary application opens October 1, 2026 and closes December 1, 2026.
What is the Kamehameha Schools Class of 1973 "Proud to be '73" Scholarship?
The Kamehameha Schools Class of 1973 "Proud to be '73" Scholarship channels alumni giving toward charter school graduates who chose a Hawaiian-focused K-12 path in Hawaiʻi and now need help finishing college. Pauahi Foundation administers the fund alongside dozens of other class and family endowments, but the eligibility line is narrow on purpose: you must have graduated from a Hawaiian-focused charter school in the state, then stay enrolled at least half time at an accredited two- or four-year school anywhere in the United States.
That half-time rule matters if you work while you study or if you are stacking an associate degree before transferring. Reviewers still expect to see community service or extracurricular involvement and a thread of interest in Hawaiian language, culture, or history, whether that shows up in your major, your volunteer hours, or your Pauahi essays. The listing is not need-based, so you can focus on your story and transcript rather than assembling tax forms unless you also apply to Pauahi need funds in the same cycle.
Two recipients share the pool each year, and amounts track endowed fund income rather than a headline dollar figure. Preference for Hawaiian ancestry applies where the law allows, yet the scholarship stays open to every eligible charter graduate who meets the gates. Open the unified Pauahi portal October 1, 2026, select the Class of 1973 fund, and submit by December 1, 2026 for 2027-2028 support.
Eligibility
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✓Hawaiian-focused charter school graduateYou must have graduated from a Hawaiian-focused charter school in the State of Hawaiʻi. Pauahi ties this fund to that pathway rather than to Kamehameha Schools campus enrollment alone.
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✓Half-time or full-time enrollmentEnroll at least half time as an undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in Hawaiʻi or the continental United States.
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✓U.S. residencyYou must be a resident of the United States and meet Pauahi's residency questions on the live application for postsecondary scholarships.
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✓Community service or activitiesDocument participation in community service, extracurricular activities, or related leadership in your Pauahi profile so reviewers see how you contribute beyond the classroom.
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✓Interest in Hawaiian cultureShow interest in Hawaiian language, culture, or history through coursework, activities, essays, or community work connected to the lāhui.
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✓Associate, bachelor's, or graduate studySeek an associate, bachelor's, or graduate degree at an accredited institution. Community college, university, and graduate students may apply when they meet charter-school and enrollment rules.
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✓Preference for Hawaiian ancestryPauahi Foundation policy gives preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. The scholarship remains open to all eligible charter school graduates who meet the listing criteria.
Benefits
- Number of scholarships 2 recipients per cycle
- Award amount Varies with endowed fund income
- Half-time enrollment Eligible (minimum half time)
- Study levels Associate, undergraduate, and graduate
- Mainland or Hawaiʻi colleges Accredited U.S. institutions
- Need-based selection Not required for this fund alone
- Full tuition guarantee Not covered
Document checklist
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✓Pauahi Foundation online applicationRegister on the Pauahi postsecondary portal when the 2027-2028 cycle opens and select the Kamehameha Schools Class of 1973 'Proud to be '73' Scholarship.
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✓Most recent transcriptUpload official or unofficial transcripts showing half-time or full-time enrollment and progress in your current postsecondary program.
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✓Resume or activity listList community service, Hawaiian culture activities, jobs, and extracurricular roles that support your application narrative.
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✓Charter school completion proofBe ready to confirm graduation from a Hawaiian-focused charter school in Hawaiʻi if Pauahi requests diploma dates or school verification during review.
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✓Essays in the unified applicationComplete Pauahi's shared personal statement and any supplemental prompts tied to this fund in the 2027-28 checklist.
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✓Financial documents if paired with need fundsThis fund is not need-based on its own, but selecting other Pauahi need scholarships in the same cycle may require W-2s, tax returns, and the Student & Parent Form.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Kamehameha Schools Class of 1973 Proud to be 73 Scholarship?
It is a Pauahi Foundation postsecondary fund created by the Kamehameha Schools Class of 1973. Two scholarships support graduates of Hawaiian-focused charter schools in Hawaiʻi who enroll at least half time at accredited U.S. colleges or universities.
Who qualifies for the Proud to be 73 scholarship?
You must have graduated from a Hawaiian-focused charter school in Hawaiʻi, enroll at least half time in an associate, bachelor's, or graduate program at an accredited institution in Hawaiʻi or the continental United States, and show community service or activities plus interest in Hawaiian language, culture, or history.
Is the Class of 1973 scholarship need-based?
Pauahi and BigFuture classify this fund as not need-based. You are not required to submit the financial hardship essay or tax documents for this listing alone, though you may upload them if you apply to need-based Pauahi funds in the same cycle.
Can I attend college part time on the Proud to be 73 scholarship?
Yes. Half-time enrollment is allowed, which helps community college students and working learners who cannot carry a full course load every term.
How many Proud to be 73 scholarships does Pauahi award?
The official community scholarship listing specifies two awards per cycle. Dollar amounts follow endowed fund income rather than one fixed public stipend for every recipient.
When is the Class of 1973 scholarship deadline for 2027?
Plan on an October 1, 2026 opening and a December 1, 2026 close for the 2027-2028 Pauahi postsecondary cycle. Confirm timestamps on the live portal before you submit.
Can mainland charter school graduates apply?
The charter school must be a Hawaiian-focused charter school in Hawaiʻi. You may study at a mainland accredited college after that graduation, but the high school pathway must meet Pauahi's Hawaiʻi charter requirement.
Does Hawaiian ancestry matter for the Proud to be 73 scholarship?
Pauahi Foundation policy gives preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. Non-Hawaiian charter school graduates remain eligible when they meet enrollment, service, and culture-interest criteria.
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