USA Scholarships
Teresa Kaleiopu Lau Scholarship 2027 - Education
The Teresa Kaleiopu Lau Scholarship backs students who want to teach and lead in education when tuition and living costs stretch beyond other aid. Pauahi Foundation administers one need-based award per cycle for full-time undergraduates and graduate students whose primary field is education at accredited U.S. institutions. You need at least a 2.5 GPA, financial documentation, essays on hardship and on a service activity that shaped your goals, and evidence of community service or extracurricular involvement. You cannot hold a previous Pauahi Foundation scholarship award. Reviewers give preference to students of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. Learners in Hawaiʻi and on the U.S. continent may apply. Plan on the 2027-2028 application opening October 1, 2026 and closing December 1, 2026.
What is the Teresa Kaleiopu Lau Scholarship?
Teresa Kaleiopu Lau Scholarship names a Pauahi Foundation endowed fund aimed squarely at future educators. Your primary field must be education at the undergraduate or graduate level, with at least a 2.5 GPA and full-time enrollment at an accredited U.S. college Pauahi recognizes. Need sits in the middle of the file: hardship essay, Student & Parent Form, W-2s, and federal tax returns follow the same pattern as other Pauahi need awards, while a second essay asks you to reflect on service or volunteer work that reshaped your goals.
One recipient per cycle keeps the competition focused. You also cannot apply if you already received a Pauahi Foundation scholarship, so scan your award history before you check this fund. Geography is wider than many island-only listings: Pauahi opens the award to learners in Hawaiʻi and on the U.S. continent, with preference for Hawaiian ancestry where law allows. Community service and extracurricular involvement should show up in both your activity list and your personal-growth essay.
Treat the scholarship as meaningful partial help toward teacher preparation, not a full ride. Stack it with federal aid and other Pauahi funds you have never received. When applications open on October 1, 2026, register early and submit well before the December 1 close so staff can request missing pieces while the cycle is still active.
Eligibility
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✓Education as field of studyPursue a bachelor's or graduate degree in education at an accredited college or university Pauahi recognizes. Programs outside education do not match this endowed listing.
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✓Minimum 2.5 GPAMaintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA on the transcript you upload. Pauahi uses the published minimum as a hard gate for this fund.
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✓Full-time classified enrollmentEnroll full time as a classified undergraduate or graduate student. Half-time enrollment does not match the guidebook listing.
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✓Demonstrated financial needSubmit the hardship essay and tax paperwork Pauahi requires so reviewers can evaluate your situation against other applicants.
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✓Community service or activitiesParticipate in community service or extracurricular activities and describe them in the required personal-growth essay tied to this fund.
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✓No prior Pauahi scholarshipPast recipients of a Pauahi Foundation scholarship are not eligible for this award. Confirm your history on the portal before you select the fund.
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✓US residency (Hawaiʻi or continent)Pauahi lists the fund as open to eligible learners in the State of Hawaiʻi and on the U.S. continent. Answer residency questions on the live application accurately.
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✓Hawaiian ancestry preferenceFoundation policy gives preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. Other eligible education students may still compete when they meet GPA, need, and enrollment rules.
Benefits
- Number of awards 1 per cycle (Pauahi listing)
- Award amount Varies with need and fund balance
- Eligible credentials Education undergrad and graduate degrees
- Need-based selection Hardship essay and tax docs
- Teacher pipeline focus Donor intent for education careers
- Renewal Follow Pauahi renewal rules if offered
- Full tuition guarantee Not covered
- Non-education majors Not covered
Document checklist
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✓Pauahi Foundation online applicationRegister or refresh your profile on the Pauahi postsecondary portal when the 2027-2028 cycle opens and select the Teresa Kaleiopu Lau Scholarship in your fund list.
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✓Financial hardship essayDescribe the financial circumstances or hardships you have faced, how they affected your path toward an education degree, and how scholarship support would help you stay enrolled full time.
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✓Personal growth and service essayDiscuss an on- or off-campus activity such as community service or volunteerism that sparked personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or your career goal in education.
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✓Student & Parent Form and tax documentsUpload the Student & Parent Form, applicable W-2s, and federal income tax returns for the tax year the portal specifies. Dependent students need parent paperwork.
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✓Most recent transcriptProvide academic records showing at least a 2.5 GPA and full-time enrollment toward an education degree.
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✓Community service and activity listComplete Pauahi's standard activity list with education-related service, tutoring, club leadership, or classroom volunteer hours that support your essays.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Teresa Kaleiopu Lau Scholarship?
It is a Pauahi Foundation need-based fund with one listed award per cycle for full-time students pursuing education degrees. Donor messaging supports future teachers, and Pauahi applies its standard preference for Hawaiian ancestry where law allows.
What GPA do I need for the Teresa Kaleiopu Lau Scholarship?
You need at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA on the transcript you submit. Lower GPAs do not match the published guidebook listing for this endowed fund.
Can graduate students apply for the Teresa Kaleiopu Lau Scholarship?
Yes. Pauahi lists both undergraduate and graduate education students when they enroll full time, meet the GPA floor, document need, and have not already received a Pauahi Foundation scholarship.
Is the Teresa Kaleiopu Lau Scholarship only for Hawaiʻi residents?
No. Pauahi lists the fund as open to eligible learners in the State of Hawaiʻi and on the U.S. continent. You still must meet GPA, enrollment, need, and education major rules.
Can past Pauahi scholarship winners apply for Teresa Kaleiopu Lau?
No. The listing states that past recipients of a Pauahi Foundation scholarship are not eligible. Select another fund if you already received Pauahi support.
When is the Teresa Kaleiopu Lau Scholarship deadline?
Pauahi opens the 2027-2028 postsecondary cycle on October 1, 2026 and closes it on December 1, 2026. Confirm timestamps on the live portal before you file.
How much is the Teresa Kaleiopu Lau Scholarship worth?
Pauahi does not publish a fixed dollar amount. Expect a partial award sized after committee review of need, essays, service history, and available fund income.
What essays does the Teresa Kaleiopu Lau Scholarship require?
You will write about financial hardships and about a community service or extracurricular activity that changed how you see yourself or your education career goals. Upload tax forms alongside those responses.
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