Kamehameha Class of 1983 Scholarship 2027 - Pauahi
The Kamehameha Schools Class of 1983 Scholarship pairs academic merit with real financial need: one award per cycle for full-time students who hold at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA and can show community service engagement on their Pauahi profile. You submit two essays, one on an on- or off-campus activity that sparked personal growth and a clearer sense of your career goals, and one describing the financial circumstances or hardships you have faced with specific examples of how they shaped your path. Pauahi also requires the Student and Parent Form plus applicable W-2s and the federal income tax return for the tax year listed in the live checklist. BigFuture classifies the fund as need- and merit-based. Preference goes to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry where permitted. Select this scholarship when the 2027-2028 postsecondary application opens October 1, 2026 and closes December 1, 2026.
What is the Kamehameha Schools Class of 1983 Scholarship?
The Class of 1983 built a fund that asks for both reflection and receipts. You need a 3.0 GPA and a believable service story, but reviewers also expect honest numbers: the Student and Parent Form, W-2s, and federal return prove the hardship essay is grounded in real life, not generic filler.
The personal growth essay is your chance to show maturity. Pick one activity that actually changed how you see your major or career, not a laundry list of clubs. Pair it with Pauahi's hardship prompt so the committee sees how financial pressure and personal development intersect.
Only one award ships each cycle, so polish matters. Preference for Hawaiian ancestry applies where the law allows. Open the unified Pauahi portal October 1, 2026, add the Class of 1983 Scholarship, and submit every upload by December 1, 2026 for 2027-2028 support.
Eligibility
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✓Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPAMaintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale. Upload a transcript that reflects grades through your most recently completed term.
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✓Full-time undergraduate or graduate studyEnroll full time as a classified student pursuing an associate, bachelor's, or graduate degree at an accredited U.S. post-high institution.
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✓Community service engagementDemonstrate community service engagement through activities, leadership roles, or volunteer hours documented in your application and essays.
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✓Demonstrated financial needComplete Pauahi's Student and Parent Form and submit applicable W-2s and federal income tax returns so reviewers can verify need.
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✓Personal growth essayDiscuss an on- or off-campus activity that sparked personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or your career goals, following Pauahi's Class of 1983 prompt.
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✓Financial hardship essayDescribe financial circumstances or hardships you have faced, including specific challenges on your path to college and strategies that helped you manage them.
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✓Preference for Hawaiian ancestryPauahi Foundation policy gives preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
Benefits
- Number of scholarships 1 recipient per cycle
- Need-based support Disbursement tied to verified need
- Merit threshold 3.0 cumulative GPA minimum
- Study levels Undergraduate and graduate
- Accredited U.S. institutions Full-time classified enrollment
- Half-time enrollment Not eligible (full time required)
- Full tuition guarantee Not covered
Document checklist
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✓Pauahi Foundation online applicationSign in when the 2027-2028 cycle opens October 1, 2026 and select the Kamehameha Schools Class of 1983 Scholarship.
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✓Personal growth essayWrite about an on- or off-campus activity that changed how you see yourself or your career direction, using Pauahi's wording for this fund.
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✓Financial hardship essayAnswer Pauahi's hardship prompt with concrete examples of financial challenges and how they affected your academic and personal life.
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✓Student and Parent FormComplete Pauahi's financial worksheet for the cycle year alongside your tax uploads.
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✓Federal tax returns and W-2sProvide applicable Form W-2s and the federal income tax return for the tax year listed in the live application checklist.
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✓School transcriptUpload an official or unofficial transcript showing at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment or admission status.
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✓Resume or activity listSummarize community service engagement and extracurricular work that supports your growth essay.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Kamehameha Schools Class of 1983 Scholarship?
It is a Pauahi Foundation postsecondary fund created by the Kamehameha Schools Class of 1983. One need-based scholarship supports full-time students with at least a 3.0 GPA who document community service and financial need.
What GPA do I need for the Class of 1983 scholarship?
Pauahi requires a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Your transcript should reflect that minimum through your most recently completed term.
What essays does the Class of 1983 scholarship require?
You write about an on- or off-campus activity that sparked personal growth and career clarity, and you submit Pauahi's standard financial hardship essay with specific examples of challenges you faced.
What financial documents does the Class of 1983 scholarship require?
Upload the Student and Parent Form, applicable W-2s, and the federal income tax return for the tax year listed in the live Pauahi checklist.
Is the Class of 1983 scholarship need-based?
Yes. Pauahi and BigFuture classify this fund as need-based and merit-based. Verified financial need and the 3.0 GPA threshold both matter in selection.
How many Class of 1983 scholarships does Pauahi award each year?
The official community listing specifies one award per cycle. Final amounts depend on endowed fund income and each student's verified need.
When is the Class of 1983 scholarship deadline for 2027?
Pauahi opens the 2027-2028 postsecondary application on October 1, 2026 and closes it on December 1, 2026. Submit essays and tax forms before that cutoff.
How is the Class of 1983 scholarship different from the Class of 1978 fund?
The Class of 1978 Scholarship requires full-time study and encourages service but does not list a 3.0 GPA floor or mandatory tax documents. The Class of 1983 fund requires a 3.0 GPA, financial need paperwork, and two essays.
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