USA Scholarships
Vaughn G.A. Vasconcellos KS 71 Scholarship 2027
The Vaughn G.A. Vasconcellos, KS ''71 Scholarship honors a Kamehameha Schools Class of 1971 alumnus by supporting students whose post-high plans center on natural sciences, higher education, or Hawaiian history and culture. Pauahi Foundation lists two awards per cycle for U.S. residents with at least a 2.0 GPA who enroll half time or full time at accredited colleges in Hawaiʻi or on the mainland. Reviewers give special consideration to Native Hawaiian students who reside or have resided on Hawaiian Homelands, and Pauahi applies its Hawaiian ancestry preference where permitted by law. Community service or extracurricular involvement strengthens your file. Select this fund when the 2027-2028 postsecondary application opens October 1, 2026 and closes December 1, 2026.
What is the Vaughn G.A. Vasconcellos, KS '71 Scholarship?
The Vaughn G.A. Vasconcellos, KS '71 Scholarship channels one alumnus's giving toward students who want science labs, teacher preparation, or Hawaiian history and culture to shape their careers. Pauahi Foundation runs the fund on the same postsecondary portal as more than 200 sibling awards, but the academic focus is narrow on purpose. Your file should show how natural sciences, higher education, or Hawaiian studies show up in your major, your service, and your plans after graduation.
Two recipients share the pool each year, and the 2.0 GPA floor keeps the door open for students still rebuilding their grades after a rough term. Half-time enrollment counts, which matters if you work while you study or if you are stacking an associate degree before transferring. Native Hawaiian applicants with a Hawaiian Homelands connection should say so plainly, because reviewers are instructed to weigh that history alongside community activities.
Amounts track endowed fund income rather than a headline dollar figure, and Pauahi still applies its Hawaiian ancestry preference where the law allows. Open the unified portal October 1, 2026, add the Vasconcellos fund, and submit before December 1, 2026 for 2027-2028 support.
Eligibility
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✓Minimum 2.0 GPAMaintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA on the transcript you upload. Pauahi treats the published minimum as a hard gate for this endowed listing.
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✓Natural sciences, education, or Hawaiian studies focusYour degree path should align with natural sciences (STEM), higher education, or Hawaiian history and culture. Match your major, coursework, and essays to one of those fields.
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✓Half-time or full-time enrollmentEnroll at least half time or full time as a classified undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited two- or four-year institution in Hawaiʻi or the continental United States.
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✓U.S. residencyYou must be a U.S. resident and answer Pauahi's residency questions accurately on the live postsecondary application.
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✓Community service or activitiesDocument volunteer work, clubs, or leadership in your Pauahi profile and personal statement so reviewers see sustained involvement beyond grades.
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✓Hawaiian Homelands considerationNative Hawaiian students who reside or have resided on Hawaiian Homelands receive special consideration. Describe that connection clearly if it applies to you.
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✓Hawaiian ancestry preferencePauahi Foundation policy gives preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. Other eligible students may still compete when they meet GPA and field-of-study rules.
Benefits
- Number of scholarships 2 recipients per cycle
- Eligible fields Natural sciences, higher education, Hawaiian studies
- Enrollment Half-time or full-time classified study
- Award amount Varies with endowed fund income
- Need-based selection Not required on listing
- Non-qualifying majors Not eligible for this fund
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 Vaughn G.A. Vasconcellos, KS '71 Scholarship.
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✓Most recent transcriptUpload official or unofficial academic records showing at least a 2.0 GPA and your current enrollment status.
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✓Personal statement and activity listComplete Pauahi's shared essay prompts and extracurricular profile entries that explain your STEM, education, or Hawaiian studies goals.
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✓Resume or activity summaryList community service, research, cultural activities, and jobs that support the story you tell in your application.
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✓Letter of recommendation if requiredFollow the live portal checklist. Current Kamehameha Schools high school seniors may need a recommender even when other postsecondary applicants do not.
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✓Supplemental essays if paired with other fundsSelecting additional Pauahi scholarships in the same cycle may trigger extra prompts or financial forms beyond this fund's baseline requirements.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Vaughn G.A. Vasconcellos KS 71 Scholarship?
It is a Pauahi Foundation endowed fund created by a Kamehameha Schools Class of 1971 graduate. Two scholarships support U.S. students with at least a 2.0 GPA who study natural sciences, higher education, or Hawaiian history and culture at accredited postsecondary schools.
What GPA do I need for the Vasconcellos scholarship?
You need at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA on the transcript you submit. Pauahi publishes that minimum as a hard requirement for this listing.
Can I study part time on the Vasconcellos scholarship?
Yes. Half-time enrollment qualifies alongside full-time study, which helps working learners and community college students who cannot carry a full load every term.
Does the Vasconcellos scholarship require Hawaiian Homelands residency?
No. Any eligible U.S. resident may apply, but Native Hawaiian students who reside or have resided on Hawaiian Homelands receive special consideration during review.
Is the Vaughn G.A. Vasconcellos scholarship need-based?
BigFuture and Pauahi classify this fund as not need-based. Focus on your academic field, service, and essays unless you also apply to Pauahi need scholarships in the same cycle.
When is the Vasconcellos KS 71 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.
How many Vasconcellos 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.
Can mainland students apply for the Vasconcellos scholarship?
Yes. Pauahi lists the fund for eligible learners in Hawaiʻi and on the U.S. continent when they meet GPA, enrollment, and field-of-study requirements.
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