Students in Hawai‘i exploring college or technical training may find several sources of support, but their funds are not interchangeable. Hawai‘i Community Foundation administers more than 300 scholarship funds and offers a common 2027–28 application for degree-seeking students and those pursuing career or technical education at a community college. It is separate from the Pauahi Foundation and other local programs: each HCF fund retains donor-defined conditions.
The FAQ lists common criteria—with fund-specific exceptions—as Hawai‘i residency, financial need, a 2.0 GPA unless a listing says otherwise, full- or part-time attendance, and study at an institution in the United States or its territories. Applicants need the FAFSA Submission Summary for the correct year and a transcript; some funds request essays or other documents. For this cycle, a 2026–27 FAFSA summary does not replace the requested 2027–28 document.
The application opens December 1, 2026 and closes February 1, 2027 at 4 p.m. Hawai‘i Standard Time. Recommendations have a separate deadline, February 16 at 4 p.m.; notices arrive from April through June, award acceptance is due by June 1 unless instructions say otherwise, and payments are mailed to schools in August or December depending on term. The later recommendation deadline does not extend the application deadline. The listed scholarship hotline is 808-566-5570 and scholars@hawaiicommunityfoundation.org.
Before applying, confirm that the school and program fit your situation and that the application window is current. Gather transcripts, FAFSA information, essays, and references; keep a copy and submission receipt. Track the application deadline separately from supporting-document dates. After submitting, monitor the portal and email until the file is marked complete. Ask the financial-aid office how the award coordinates with FAFSA and other scholarships, and do not budget funds that have not been awarded.
When comparing options, confirm whether the benefit is a scholarship, grant, tuition waiver, or loan: they are not all repaid or applied to the same charges. Request a written estimate of the balance after FAFSA and other awards, check renewal terms, and do not sign a loan thinking it is a scholarship.
Read the program profile and the federal FAFSA guide; confirm with the administrator how the aid coordinates.
Students and Common Scholarship Application — Hawai‘i Community Foundation.
Scholarship FAQs — Hawai‘i Community Foundation.
2027–2028 Scholarship Season Timeline — Hawai‘i Community Foundation.
Guide checked against official sources on October 13, 2026. Each program has its own funding, eligibility, and calendar; confirm the current terms before applying. An advertised award does not guarantee selection.
Confirm eligibility, current terms, and application steps with the official source before relying on aid for college costs.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Hawai‘i Community Foundation Common Scholarship Application
Students in Hawai‘i exploring college or technical training may find several sources of support, but their funds are not interchangeable. Hawai‘i Community Foundation administers more than 300 scholarship funds and offers a common 2027–28 application for degree-seeking students and those pursuing career or technical education at a community college. It is separate from the Pauahi Foundation and other local programs: each HCF fund retains donor-defined conditions.
College scholarship and financial-aid program
Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education
The agency sets rates, eligibility, and caps; the college certifies need, cost, and the individual amount within those limits.
Public student-aid administering office
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Hawai‘i Community Foundation · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Hawai‘i Community Foundation · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Hawai‘i Community Foundation · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official program information and application ↗
Primary source
Hawai‘i Community Foundation · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Hawai‘i Community Foundation Common Scholarship Application ↗
Primary source
Hawai‘i Community Foundation · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Hawai‘i Community Foundation Common Scholarship Application ↗
Primary source
Hawai‘i Community Foundation · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.