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.

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.

To compare this benefit with other options, ask financial aid for an estimate separating tuition, fees, housing, and excluded expenses. Confirm whether it can renew, what academic progress it requires, and whom to contact if payment does not appear on the account. Keep award letters and receipts until the school confirms disbursement.

Official program information and application