USA Scholarships
Paul Pua'a Murray Grant 2027 - Pauahi Need
The Paul Pua''a ''Ohana, Paul Moses Murray and Malia Murray Grant honors a family gift managed by the Pauahi Foundation for learners who need help staying full time in undergraduate or vocational programs. BigFuture classifies the fund as need-based with a required essay, and public listings describe two awards per cycle with amounts that follow endowed fund income rather than one fixed stipend. You must be a U.S. resident enrolled full time toward a certificate, associate, or bachelor''s credential at an accredited post-high school, including trade or technical pathways. Moloka''i residents and students navigating special circumstances or personal hardship receive extra consideration, and Pauahi gives preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry where the law allows. Plan on FAFSA documentation, Pauahi''s financial worksheet, community service or activity evidence, and the unified postsecondary application that opens October 1, 2026 and closes December 1, 2026 for the 2027-2028 academic year.
What is the Paul Pua'a Murray Grant?
The Paul Pua'a 'Ohana, Paul Moses Murray and Malia Murray Grant keeps a family name tied to practical help for students who are stretching every dollar to stay enrolled full time. Pauahi Foundation runs the fund alongside dozens of other postsecondary scholarships, but this one is unmistakably need-driven: you bring FAFSA results, financial worksheets, and an essay that explains where you are headed and what makes the road hard.
Two grants go out each cycle, and the check size moves with endowed income rather than a headline number you can memorize. That is still real money for books, fees, or rent near campus. Reviewers watch for Moloka'i roots and for applicants carrying personal hardship that does not show up on a tax form alone. Community service and extracurricular work matter here, not as decoration, but as proof you are already giving back while you study.
You do not need a Kamehameha diploma to qualify. U.S. residents in Hawaiʻi or on the mainland who pursue certificates, associate degrees, bachelor's study, or accredited trade programs can add the Murray grant inside Pauahi's unified application. Preference for Hawaiian ancestry applies where the law allows. Open the portal October 1, 2026, attach your SAR and financial packet, and submit by December 1, 2026 if you want support for the 2027-2028 academic year.
Eligibility
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✓U.S. residentBe a resident of the United States when you apply. Pauahi lists this fund for qualifying applicants in Hawaiʻi and on the continental United States.
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✓Full-time undergraduate enrollmentEnroll full time as an undergraduate student in an accredited post-high institution, including vocational or trade school programs Pauahi recognizes in the live portal checklist.
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✓Certificate, associate, or bachelor's pathwayPursue a professional certification, one-year certificate, associate degree, or bachelor's degree. Graduate study is not listed for this fund on BigFuture.
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✓Demonstrated financial needShow financial need through FAFSA and Pauahi's need-based materials. Listings require a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
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✓Community service or activitiesParticipate in community service or extracurricular activities and describe that involvement in your Pauahi profile, essay, or activity list.
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✓Moloka'i and hardship considerationResidents of Moloka'i and students of special circumstances or personal hardship receive special consideration under Pauahi's published criteria.
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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 grants 2 recipients per cycle
- Award amount Varies with endowed fund income
- Study focus Undergraduate and vocational/trade
- Need-based support FAFSA SAR and financial forms
- Moloka'i consideration Special review for residents
- Hardship consideration Personal hardship noted in criteria
- Graduate study Not listed for this fund
- Full tuition guarantee Not covered
Document checklist
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✓Pauahi Foundation online applicationRegister when the 2027-2028 cycle opens October 1, 2026 and select the Paul Pua'a 'Ohana, Paul Moses Murray and Malia Murray Grant in the postsecondary portal.
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✓Required scholarship essayComplete Pauahi's essay prompts for this need-based fund. BigFuture lists an essay as required for the Murray grant.
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✓FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR)Submit your SAR from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid so reviewers can verify need. File FAFSA early enough to receive a current SAR before the deadline.
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✓Student and Parent FormComplete Pauahi's financial worksheet and upload applicable W-2s and federal tax returns when the live checklist asks for them alongside need-based funds.
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✓School transcriptUpload an official or unofficial transcript showing full-time enrollment and your academic record through the most recently completed term.
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✓Resume or activity listSummarize community service, campus clubs, jobs, and leadership roles that support your application narrative.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Paul Pua'a Murray Grant from Pauahi?
It is the Paul Pua'a 'Ohana, Paul Moses Murray and Malia Murray Grant administered by the Pauahi Foundation. The fund supports full-time undergraduate students, including vocational and trade pathways, who demonstrate financial need.
How many Paul Moses Murray and Malia Murray grants does Pauahi award?
Public scholarship listings describe two awards per cycle. Dollar amounts follow endowed fund income, so they can change year to year rather than posting one fixed figure.
Do Moloka'i residents get preference for the Murray grant?
Yes. Pauahi and BigFuture both state that residents of Moloka'i receive special consideration, alongside students facing special circumstances or personal hardship.
Is the Paul Pua'a Murray grant need-based?
Yes. BigFuture classifies the fund as need-based, and listings require FAFSA documentation such as the Student Aid Report plus Pauahi's financial forms.
Can trade school or vocational students apply for the Murray grant?
Yes. Pauahi awards the grant to full-time students in undergraduate or vocational and trade programs at accredited post-high institutions.
Does the Murray grant require an essay?
BigFuture lists an essay as required for this fund. Complete every writing prompt in the Pauahi portal for the cycle you apply.
When is the Paul Pua'a Murray grant deadline for 2027?
Plan on the 2027-2028 Pauahi postsecondary cycle opening October 1, 2026 and closing December 1, 2026. Some third-party listings show slightly different fund dates, so confirm the live portal before you submit.
Can graduate students apply for the Paul Moses Murray and Malia Murray grant?
BigFuture lists undergraduate study levels only for this fund. Graduate students should review other Pauahi postsecondary scholarships that include master's or doctoral enrollment.
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