USA Scholarships
Ula Baker Sheecha Scholarship 2027 - Art
The Ula Baker Sheecha Scholarship backs students building careers as artists when studio costs, supplies, and tuition outpace other aid. Pauahi Foundation administers one merit-based award per cycle for full-time undergraduates and graduate students enrolled at accredited two- or four-year institutions in Hawaiʻi or the continental United States. You need at least a 3.0 GPA, Pauahi''s personal statement, extracurricular and service activity list, and transcript. Fund criteria highlight two-dimensional visual arts such as drawing, watercolor painting, and graphic design, and reviewers give special consideration to Kamehameha Schools graduates plus applicants who show interest in Hawaiian language, culture, or history and a commitment to community contribution. Prepare a hardcopy portfolio of artistic works when Pauahi requests it for this listing. Pauahi gives preference to students of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. Plan on the 2027-2028 application opening October 1, 2026 and closing December 1, 2026.
What is the Ula Baker Sheecha Scholarship?
Ula Baker Sheecha honors an artist whose name now anchors a Pauahi Foundation fund for students chasing creative careers. Your file needs at least a 3.0 GPA, full-time enrollment at an accredited U.S. college in Hawaiʻi or on the mainland, and evidence that you treat art as a profession rather than a side hobby. Pauahi selects one scholar per cycle, so portfolio quality and personal narrative matter as much as grades.
Donor language tilts toward two-dimensional visual arts: drawing, watercolor, graphic design, and related studio work. Kamehameha Schools graduates receive special consideration, yet the listing stays open to other motivated artists who document Hawaiian culture interest and community service. Aggregator guides still mention hardcopy portfolios because reviewers want to see original pieces, not slideshows on a disc. Pair your artwork with Pauahi's personal statement and activity list so committees see both craft and character.
Treat the scholarship as partial support for supplies, tuition, or exhibition costs, not a full ride. Pauahi applies its standard preference for Hawaiian ancestry where law allows, and past award sizes reported on third-party sites have landed in the low thousands of dollars without a guaranteed cap. When applications open on October 1, 2026, register early, confirm portfolio delivery rules on the live portal, and submit before the December 1 close.
Eligibility
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✓Artist career pathPursue a career as an artist through an accredited associate, bachelor's, or graduate program Pauahi recognizes. Your portfolio and personal statement should show serious visual arts study, not a casual hobby.
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✓Minimum 3.0 GPAMaintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA on the transcript you upload. Pauahi uses the published minimum as a hard gate for this endowed fund.
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✓Full-time classified enrollmentEnroll full time as a classified student at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in Hawaiʻi or the continental United States.
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✓Two-dimensional visual arts focusDemonstrate work in two-dimensional visual arts such as drawing, watercolor painting, or graphic design. Sculpture-only or performance-only portfolios may not match donor intent unless your statement ties them to a 2D practice.
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✓Kamehameha Schools graduate preferenceGraduates of Kamehameha Schools receive special consideration under Pauahi listings. Other eligible art students may still compete when they meet GPA, enrollment, and portfolio rules.
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✓Hawaiian culture and community commitmentShow interest in Hawaiian language, culture, or history and describe how you plan to contribute to the broader community through your art and service activities.
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✓Community service or activitiesParticipate in community service or extracurricular activities and document them in Pauahi's standard activity list alongside your personal statement.
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✓Hawaiian ancestry preferenceFoundation policy gives preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. Other eligible art students may still apply when they meet academic and portfolio requirements.
Benefits
- Number of awards 1 per cycle (Pauahi listing)
- Award amount Varies with fund balance (partial award)
- Eligible credentials Associate, bachelor's, and graduate study
- Merit and portfolio review GPA, statement, and artwork
- 2D visual arts emphasis Drawing, watercolor, graphic design
- Renewal Follow Pauahi renewal rules if offered
- Full tuition guarantee Not covered
- Non-art 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 Ula Baker Sheecha Scholarship in your fund list.
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✓Personal statement essayExplain your path as an artist, your medium choices, and how scholarship support would help you stay enrolled full time while you develop your craft.
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✓Hardcopy art portfolioSubmit a hardcopy portfolio of original artistic works when Pauahi lists it for this fund. CDs and DVDs are not accepted per published aggregator guidance; follow the live portal for shipping or upload instructions.
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✓Extracurricular and service activity listEnter community service, exhibitions, clubs, and volunteer hours with dates so reviewers see engagement beyond the studio.
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✓Most recent transcriptProvide academic records showing at least a 3.0 GPA and full-time enrollment toward an art-related degree or career path.
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✓Letter of recommendation (KS seniors only)Current high school seniors attending Kamehameha Schools must include one letter of recommendation per base Pauahi rules unless the portal adds fund-specific letters.
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✓Resume or activity summaryInclude Pauahi's resume or activity summary sections when enabled so committees can cross-check exhibitions, internships, or campus art leadership.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Ula Baker Sheecha Scholarship?
It is a Pauahi Foundation merit fund with one award per cycle for full-time students pursuing careers as artists. Donor criteria emphasize two-dimensional visual arts, Kamehameha Schools graduates, and community contribution, with Pauahi's preference for Hawaiian ancestry where law allows.
What GPA do I need for the Ula Baker Sheecha Scholarship?
You need at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA on the transcript you submit. Lower GPAs do not match the published listing for this endowed fund.
Do I need a portfolio for Ula Baker Sheecha?
Yes. Aggregator listings describe a hardcopy portfolio of original artistic works. CDs and DVDs are not accepted. Follow the live Pauahi portal for current upload or mailing instructions.
Is the Ula Baker Sheecha Scholarship only for Kamehameha Schools graduates?
No. KS graduates receive special consideration, but other eligible full-time art students with at least a 3.0 GPA may apply when they meet portfolio and enrollment rules.
Which art mediums fit the Ula Baker Sheecha Scholarship?
Reviewers favor two-dimensional visual arts such as drawing, watercolor painting, and graphic design. Explain how other studio work supports your 2D practice if your major spans multiple media.
When is the Ula Baker Sheecha 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 Ula Baker Sheecha Scholarship worth?
Pauahi selects one recipient without publishing a fixed dollar amount every cycle. Third-party databases have listed amounts near $2,800 to $5,000 in past years, but treat your award letter as the official figure.
Can mainland art students apply for Ula Baker Sheecha?
Yes. You must enroll full time at an accredited two- or four-year institution in Hawaiʻi or the continental United States. Submit Pauahi's standard application materials plus any portfolio requirements listed for the fund.
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