APPLICATION FOR SCHOLARSHIP

 

INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES:

 

· Applicants must use the official 2026-27 'O Ka'ū Kākou scholarship application.

· Applications and all supporting documents must be in English. 

· All applications will remain confidential and become the property of 'O Ka'ū Kākou and will not be returned to you.

 

FOR HARD COPY APPLICATIONS:

· Application must be dated and have original signatures by you and your parent(s) or legal guardian (if under age 18). 

· Typed applications are preferred; however, neatly printed and legible applications are acceptable.

· All pages should be firmly attached together in a binder or via large binder clip, brad, or multi-prong metal clasp (no staples).

· Hard copy applications must be postmarked on or before APRIL 4, 2026.

· Applications and all supporting documents must be hard copy mailed to:  OKK Scholarship Committee, c/o Chairperson Tim, P.O. Box 819, Pahala, HI 96777. 

 

FOR ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS:

· All fields marked with “*” are required.

· All essays and letters of recommendation uploaded must be in “.pdf” format.

· Please do not submit multiple applications.

· All electronic applications must be submitted no later than midnight APRIL 4, 2026.

 

** Late submissions will not be considered **

 

ELIGIBILITY

· Applicant must be residing in the district of Ka'ū, or out-of-state college student whose principal residence is in Ka'ū, or claimed as a dependent of a Ka'ū resident.

· Applicant must attend an accredited trade school or a two or four year accredited college as a full-time student in the 2026-2027 school year.

EMPLOYMENT

· List all employment held from January 1, 2025, until date of application.

· List approximate total hours worked, not average hours per week.

· Include letter of recommendation from most recent employer signed by direct supervisor.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

· List community service performed January 1, 2025, until date of application.

· List approximate total hours served, not average hours per week.

HONORS AND AWARDS

· List any and all awards received during grades 9 through time of application. Complete segment as instructed in Honors and Awards section.

ESSAYS

· Write essays of no more than 1,000 words (12pt. font, 2 pages maximum).

· NO “AI”!!!  All essays must be the original and authentic work of and authored by the applicant without the use of Artificial Intelligence.

· The essays must be typed, dated and signed; and include total word count in the bottom corner.

· Essays should highlight your accomplishments and explain to the Scholarship Committee why you should be selected as a recipient above other applicants competing for the same scholarship.

COUNSELOR REPORT

· This report must be completed by your high school guidance counselor or appropriate school official.

· The report must be signed and dated by the person completing the report.

· The Counselor Report must be emailed directly from the Counselor to the OKK Scholarship Committee.

TRANSCRIPT & SAT/ACT SCORES

· Include an official, current high school/college transcript of student grades.

· Transcript may be a photocopy of an original that bears the signature of the proper school authority.

· Test scores must be included in the application, but may be photocopies or printed from SAT and/or ACT websites.

· It is not necessary to send a separate sheet of test scores if they are included on your transcript.

HOME SCHOOLING

· Home-schooled students are eligible to apply for the scholarship. However, all aspects of the application must be filled out completely.

· When possible, a third party should complete the Counselor's Report for the applicant.

ADDITIONAL EXHIBITS (OPTIONAL)

· Exhibits are optional supplemental material.

· Attach exhibits of achievement in scholarship, leadership, athletics, community services or other activities. 

· Emphasis is given to quality of activities over quantity. 

APPLICATION SCORING

All applications will be given 0-5 points for each of these categories:

· Application Completeness

· Letters of Recommendation

· Leadership and Extra-curricular Activities

· Community Service and Volunteerism

· Work/employment experience

· Academic Strength (GPA/SAT score)

· Honors and Awards

· Essay #1 Career Goals and Aspirations

· Essay #1 Evidence of passion for career path

· Essay #2 Volunteer/Civic Experience

· Essay #2 Give back plans and goals for the decade after completing higher education

· Essays (both):  General grammar, spelling, punctuation, complete sentences, etc.

SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS

· All scholarships will be paid by the semester:  50% for fall, and 50% for spring.

· Scholarships recipients will be required to provide a Mahalo Letter addressed to the OKK Board of Directors and Volunteers and proof of registration before receiving any disbursement checks.

· Scholarships are available only to full-time students.

QUESTIONS?

Please email any questions to the OKK Scholarship Committee:  okaukakou.org.scholarship@gmail.com.