Scholarship FAQs

The following Frequently Asked Questions applies to the current application period.

1. Am I eligible to apply?

Each scholarship fund has specific eligibility criteria that were defined by the donor when the fund was established. Please read through the specific criteria for each scholarship to see if you are eligible for any of the funds.

Criteria that applies to most funds are as follows:

	Be a resident of the State of Hawai‘i
	Demonstrate financial need
	Plan to attend an accredited two- or four-year college or university as either an undergraduate or graduate student
	Be a full-time student (12 credits undergraduate; 9 credits graduate)
	Demonstrate academic achievement (minimum 2.7 GPA, unless otherwise stated)
	Demonstrate good moral character

2. How much does it cost to apply for a scholarship?

There is no charge to apply.

3. What do I send in?

Once your application information is transmitted to us, you will need to postal mail or hand-deliver the following support materials by the deadline date.

	Printed confirmation page (from the online application)
	Personal Statement
	Copy of Student Aid Report (SAR) available at www.fafsa.ed.gov
	Official Grade Transcript
	Letters of Recommendation (required for some funds)
	Essay (required for some funds)

Application and support materials must be mailed to:

      Hawai‘i Community Foundation - Scholarships

      1164 Bishop Street, Suite 800

      Honolulu, HI 96813

4. Are these scholarship grants taxable?

For degree-seeking students, the grant used for tuition, fees, books and supplies is not taxable. Any portion of the scholarship that is used for room and board or miscellaneous expenses is taxable. For non-degree seeking students, the entire scholarship is taxable. Consult a tax expert for advice.

5. Are the scholarships awarded sufficient to pay the cost of my college education?

No. These scholarships are intended to provide only partial support. In addition to applying for scholarships through the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, you should look into other financial aid resources such as federal grants, loans and work-study awards. A complete financial package can be put together by your college's financial aid office and may include various types of financial aid.

6. If I am awarded a scholarship, how much will I get?

Only a few of the scholarship funds have set amounts. Most of them offer varying award amounts, which range from $500 to several thousand dollars, depending on the size of the particular fund, the number of qualified applicants and the directions given by the donor(s) of the funds. The average scholarship grant in 2009 was $2,041.

7. What do you mean by "Hawai‘i resident"?

A Hawai‘i resident is anyone with a permanent address in the State of Hawai‘i. Military families may also be included in our definition. Students who go to school on the mainland and take up residency status in that state are still eligible for our scholarships as long as they still have family here in Hawai‘i.

8. Where can I go to school with these scholarships?

Students must attend a nonprofit college or university in the United States. Recipients of the Geist Foundation or Hawaiian Homes Commission Scholarship are eligible to attend for-profit schools in the United States. Please call your school directly if you are unsure of its status.

9. May I receive grants from more than one scholarship?

Yes, you can apply to all the funds for which you are eligible and, therefore, may be selected as a recipient from each of those.

10. Do I need to pay scholarship money back?

No. These are charitable grants that do not need to be paid back.

11. Does Hawai‘i Community Foundation make the decisions about who is awarded?

No. Each scholarship fund has its own committee. Hawai‘i Community Foundation processes the application materials for these committees that make the decisions.

12. If I am awarded, do I get the check?

No. The checks are sent directly to your school's financial aid office. The scholarship is divided into two payments - one check is sent in August for the first semester and one is sent in December for the second semester, regardless of the layout of your school's academic year.

13. What can my scholarships be used for?

The scholarship can be used for any educational expenses: tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous school expenses.

14. If I receive a scholarship one year, will I automatically receive an award for the following year?

No. In most cases, students must complete the application process again in order to be considered for another scholarship award. Some selection committees may give preference to renewing applicants.

15. When will I be notified?

You will be notified after the selection committees meet, which may be any time between April and July 2010.

16. If I receive a grant should I send a thank you note? Where do I send it?

Thank you notes are highly encouraged. Donors and selection committees enjoy reading thank you notes and, if you were fortunate to have received one or more scholarships from one or more scholarship funds through Hawai‘i Community Foundation, address one thank you note to "Scholarship Committee" and mail it to:

 Hawai‘i Community Foundation - Scholarships

1164 Bishop Street, Suite 800

Honolulu, HI 96813

 

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