Native Hawaiian Student Affairs Packet Included in this packet: Tips to complete the FAFSA Applying for outside scholarships Suggested timeline for applying for scholarships Website & written resources Personal statement tips Financial aid & scholarships list applications checklist We would like to thank and acknowledge the Single Parents and Displaced Homemakers Program for their contributions to this packet. Compiled by the Kapo oloku & Kūlia ma Kapiʻolani Programs at Kapiʻolani Community College Kapo oloku: Mānele 105, kapnhss@hawaii.edu, 808-734-9714 Kūlia ma Kapiʻolani: Mānele 106, nhctep@hawaii.edu, 808-734-9654
Tips to Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Find it at: www.fafsa.ed.gov To complete the FAFSA you will need: A copy of your 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ State or local income tax return Forms and other records of money earned or received Records of untaxed income, such as Veterans, Social Security, TANF, or Welfare benefits Current bank statements Current mortgage information Business or farm records Records of stocks, bonds and other investments Promissory notes or loan disclosure statements. Names of the institution you are attending Hints: Get all documents together. START EARLY. Try to file by early February or as soon as possible. Use your previous year taxes to estimate your 2015 taxes. Select I will file, which means estimate. Read the instructions carefully. When in doubt, contact the financial aid office. File online. You will need to get a PIN number before you can file. Enter a "0 for questions that do not apply to you, unless the instructions tell you to leave it blank. Keep a copy of what you submit (you can copy and paste it into a Word document). It will be easier next time! Financial Aid Personnel at Kapiʻolani Community College KCC School Code: 001613 Priority Deadline March 1 for the next Academic Year Phone: (808)734-9555 Email: kapfao@hawaii.edu
Applying for Outside s There are numerous scholarships offered by different organizations, and we encourage you to apply for every scholarship you meet the eligibility requirements. There are two types of scholarships: Merit scholarships are based on academic achievement or on a combination of academics and a special talent or trait. Financial need scholarships are based on the information from the FAFSA. s are still considered part of a financial aid package. Federal regulations require that the Financial Aid Office take into account all scholarships and resources when determining the student's eligibility for financial aid awards. Per Federal regulations, a student's financial aid (grants, work-study, loans) and scholarships/resources cannot exceed the: Cost of Attendance (Tuition and Fees, Room and Board, Books and Supplies, Personal Expense and Transportation) Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Resources (scholarships, tuition waivers, stipends, etc.) = Need Considerations: s/resources often cause a dollar-for-dollar reduction in financial aid awards, including grants. Check with the Financial Aid office if you are unsure of your award status. Find out if the scholarship is a one-time award or annually renewable. DEADLINES are absolute and have to be met. s can minimize the need for loans. Tips: Start EARLY. There are several steps and it pays to get organized and not rush! Search for scholarships early and make a list of documents you will need. Use the " Application Checklist to help you keep track of documents and deadlines. STAY ORGANIZED! ALWAYS keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit. You never know when you will be asked to submit a duplicate and it will help you the next time you apply for that scholarship.
Suggested Timeline for Applying for s This timeline will help to give you your best shot at financial aid and scholarships as most of the money is given out for the fall semester. However, you can still apply for financial aid and some scholarships throughout the year. Check out your options no matter what time of year it is! Fall Search for scholarships that you might be eligible for. Use the internet; ask instructors, students, and financial aid office. Begin to draft your personal statement. Holiday Break Begin an organizing system for your taxes, financial aid and scholarship information. Put a folder on the desktop of your computer. Have a binder and a space at home reserved for documents. Write in all deadlines on your calendar and use the checklist at the back of this packet. Complete your search for scholarships. Work on completing your personal statement. If an essay is required, get it done. Begin to gather tax information. Consider people for your letters of recommendation. January Begin filling out applications. Ask those who know you well for letters of recommendation. Work on taxes or make appointment to have them done in early February. Call 2l l (Aloha United Way resource line) to find free tax help. Check deadlines. February Complete taxes. Complete FAFSA or FAFSA renewal form. Make sure letters of recommendation are picked up or mailed. Check deadlines and mail off applications due in March. Get copies of transcripts sent if necessary. Mail Student Aid Report (SAR from FAFSA) if necessary. March Mail off any scholarship materials due in the spring. Most organizations announce scholarship recipients during the summer.
Website & Written Resources Never pay for an on-line scholarship search. Here are reliable local and national websites which allow you to customize your search. Also listed are Financial Aid guide books that may be available at your state library, Local websites: Kapiʻolani Community College: www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu/admissions/financialaid/ Hawaii Community Foundation: www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org UH Foundation: www.uhfoundation.org/scholarships College s: www.collegescholarships.com GEAR UP Hawaii: http://gearup.hawaii.edu/resources/college_planning_resources National websites: The following are websites that will help you search for scholarships, loans and grants. They are all free services, however many require that you setup a profile to access their information. FastWeb: www.fastweb.com Peterson's: www.petersons.com College Express: www.collegeexpress.com Fast Aid: www.fastaid.com s.com: www.scholarships.com Financial Aid Guide Books Fungaroli, C.S. - Traditional Degrees for Non-traditional Students: How to Earn a Top Diploma from America's Great Colleges at Any Age Haponski, W.C. & McCabe, C.E. - New Horizons: The Education and Career Planning Guide for Adults Hawes, G.R. - The College Board Guide to Going to College While Working: Strategies for Success Oakes, E. - Big Book of Minority Opportunities: The Directory of Special Programs for Minority Group Members Siebert, A. & Karr, M. - The Adult Student's Guide to Survival & Success Student Services, Inc. - The Minority and Women's Complete Book Young, W.C. - The Higher Education Money Book for Minorities and Women
Personal Statement Tips 1) Show, don't tell: Instead of merely telling how good you are, show them with stories and anecdotes. "Life is busy as a single parent. My days start at 5:30 getting the kids up and end at 11:00 when my homework is done." 2) Personal details: Relate the essay question to personal experience and unique perspectives. "Managing my time wisely is so important because it helps me to deal with all the roles I play: mom, employee and student." 3) Organization: write the essay with a clear idea of what you want to say. An example of an outline for an essay: Paragraph #1: Introduction Paragraph #2: Personal goals Paragraph #3: Reasons for pursuing my goals Paragraph #4: How I plan to reach my goals 4) Clear, to the point: Each sentence in the essay should serve an important purpose. Write a draft of the essay to get your ideas down, then go back and eliminate extra words or phrases while keeping the main ideas. 5) Writer's block: Don t let that blank page scare you! To get in the flow, write nonstop for 20 minutes, look at other people's essays, talk to a friend, tape-record yourself speaking, or try writing in a different place. 6) Draft #2: Rewriting is important. Look at your ideas again and how you communicated them. Take a day off and look at your essay with fresh eyes. Ask friends, family and teachers for feedback. 7) Short answers: lf is says 150 words, keep your essay within that amount. Focus on your most important points. These ideas are from the book 'How to go to College Almost for Free" by Ben Kaplan
Sample Personal Statement Malia Q. Student My reasons for attending college. I came back to Kapi olani Community College seven years after I graduated from high school. For most of those seven years, I was raising my children and helping my husband to start his business. Now that I am a single parent, life is different. Education is a way out for me. As a single mom, I know how difficult it is to make a life in Hawai i for myself and my children. I hope to someday help others reach out to their dreams. I am now working part-time on campus in the library to help other students find resources and I love what I do. I would like very much to work as a social worker helping to empower others who have barriers in front of them and give them the hope and courage to persevere. In the future, I would like to work towards a master's degree to make an even bigger difference. Why I chose my course of study. I chose social work because of my family background. My mother was also a single parent and I watched her struggle to make a life for our family. She worked long hours and hardly had time for herself. When she had medical problems, a social worker helped her to get better and encouraged her to go back to school. Although it was a struggle, she got her AA and was able to find a better job that was not so hard on her body. My mom is my hero and I know that her life would have been much harder if it wasn't for that social worker and her encouragement. I saw how that social worker changed lives and I would like to work towards doing that for others. What are your education and career goals? I am hoping to continue here at Kapi olani and obtain my AA degree in Liberal Arts. After that, I will transfer to the University of Hawai i at Mānoa to finish my degree in the School of Social Work. I have contacted the School of Social Work and have been added to their listserv so that I keep up on the latest information for students. After graduation, I plan to apply for jobs in several different places. I would like to help people who are struggling with domestic violence problems. I feel this is an area where I can really make a difference. There are several organizations here in Hawai i that hires social workers including Child and Family Services, Domestic Violence Clearinghouse, and the Department of Social Services. The outlook for social work positions is good. I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my personal statement. I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Recommendation Letter(s) Tips Some scholarship funds require that applicants submit letters of recommendation. You may wish to ask teachers, counselors, ministers or employers as they can usually comment on overall character, achievement and promise. These letters must have been written within the last year, contain your full name and must be signed by the writer. Tips: Identify 3 or 4 people who know you well and are willing to write letters of recommendation for you. Ask EARLY! Allow the writer 1-2 weeks to compose the letter. Make a list of all the scholarships that require letters. Make sure you give the people who will be writing your letters the eligibility criteria for all of the scholarships you are applying for. They may wish to write one letter that can be used for all scholarships. Write thank you notes to your references for their letters. Information to give those who are writing letters for you: 1. The name of the person to whom the letter should be addressed. 2. The deadline for the letter. 3. A copy of any forms to be filled out. 4. What should be done with the letter...return to you? Mail to organization? Don't forget to provide an addressed, stamped envelope! 5. A rough draft of the personal statement or essay that you are writing for the scholarship committee. 6. Any other information the writer needs to know.
Financial Aid and List Welina mai kākou (welcome)! The Native Hawaiian Student Success program has assembled a list of scholarships. The scholarships are organized based on preference, as allowable by law, by Native Hawaiian students, Pacific Islander students, women, returning adult students, and other ethnic minorities. This list is only a sampling of what is available. We recommend that you also look for other scholarship opportunities based on your own personal needs, goals, and eligibility. E ho olei i ka upena āhea a hopu i mau i a (cast a wide net to catch more fish). Please keep in mind that each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria, application requirements, deadline, and award amounts. These are subject to change by the funding agency at any time. We strongly suggest you regularly review the scholarship web sites for updated information. Please use the scholarship checklist to keep your scholarship applications organized. Kapiʻolani CC and University of Hawaiʻi Financial Aid and s AGENCY PROGRAM Native Hawaiian Eligibility Needed Based or Merit Based? AWARD AMOUNT DEADLINE Kapiʻolani Community College s & Grants (FAFSA REQUIRED) www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu /admissions/financial-aid/ Pell Grant (PELL) Need Based Varies Application available December 1, 2015 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) No Need Based Varies March 1, 2016 State of Hawaiʻi B Plus No Need Based Varies Not Listed Hawaiʻi State Incentive Grant (HSIG) No Need Based Varies Not Listed Kapiʻolani Opportunity Grant No Need Based Varies Not Listed Kapoʻoloku Student in Transition Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver https://www.kapiolani.hawaii.e du/campus-life/studentservices/kapoolokuprogram/native-hawaiiantuition-waiver/ Yes Need Based (has unmet need) Varies April 30, 2016 (priority) July 30, 2016 (Final for AY 2016-17) October 31, 2016 (Final for spring 2017 entry ONLY) University of Hawaiʻi System http://www.hawaii.edu/fi naid/scholarships/system/ Ruth E. Black No Need Based Varies Application available December 1, 2015 Due: March 1, 2016 Charles R. Hemenway No Need Based Varies Application available December 1, 2015 Due: March 1, 2016 Hawaiʻi Veterans Memorial Fund No Need Based Varies Application available December 1, 2015 Due: March 1, 2016 UH System s Varies Varies Varies Application available December 1, 2015 Due: March 1, 2016
AGENCY PROGRAM Native Hawaiian Eligibility Needed Based or Merit Based? AWARD AMOUNT DEADLINE University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Kuaʻana Native Hawaiian Student Development Services Kapiʻolani Community College Institutional Grants & s www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu /admissions/financial-aid/ Loans and s Tab Institutional Grant & s Student Financial Aid Assistance Program Kuaʻana Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver (UH Mānoa ONLY) http://hawaii.edu/kuaana/kua%c A%BBana-tuition-waiver/ Kapiʻolani Achievement Grant for Student Achievement, Engagement & Learning Kapiʻolani Pacific Islander Kapiʻolani International Kapiʻolani Centennial Yes Yes Varies Not Listed No Merit Based Varies Varies on Department No Need Based Varies Not Listed No Varies Not Listed No Varies Not Listed Community s AGENCY Adult Students in Transition (ASIST) Program American Association of University Women (AAUW) PROGRAM Native Hawaiian Eligibility Needed Based or Merit Based? AWARD AMOUNT ASIST Program No Yes Varies ($1500-4,000) Honolulu Branch AAUW http://honoluluhi.aauw.net/scholarships/ DEADLINE Applications Available in January 2016. Due: March 2016 No Yes Varies February 18, 2016 American Business Women s Association (ABWA) Onipaʻa Chapter Windward Branch AAUW https://www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu/ wpcontent/uploads/2013/05/america n_association_university_of_wom en_application.pdf Onipaʻa Chapter https://www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu /wp- content/uploads/2013/05/abwa- Onipaa-Chapter-.pdf No Yes Varies March 1, 2016 No No $1,000 April 2016 American Indian College Fund http://www.collegefund.or g/students_and_alumni/co ntent/special_scholarships American Indian College Fund Full Circle American Indian or Alaska Native No Varies Application available January 1, 2016 Due: May 31, 2016
Hawaii General Employees Association (HGEA) Charles R. Kendal s and Education Fund Must be member or descendant of HGEA member No Financial and Academic Achievement Varies January 15, 2016 Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation (ODKF) Pālama Settlement www.palamasettlement.or g/scholarships Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Pālama Settlement Hannah Cochrane College No Demonstrated Not listed Open from January 1to April 1 Each year No No Not listed Application available January 2016 Native Hawaiian & Pacific Island s AGENCY Kamehameha Schools Post High Programs http://apps.ksbe.edu/finai d/scholarships Pauahi Foundation www.pauahi.org Hawaiʻi Community Foundation www.hawaiicommunityfou ndation.org PROGRAM Nā Ho okama e Pauahi Imi Na auaao For graduate degree ONLY Pauahi Foundation Blossom Kalama Evans Memorial Fund Dr. Hans and Clara Zimmerman Foundation Education Native Hawaiian Eligibility Needed Yes, verification through Ho oulu Database Yes, verification through Ho oulu Database Yes, verification through Ho oulu Database Yes No Based or Merit Based? Yes No AWARD AMOUNT Varies, visit website Varies, visit website DEADLINE Application available January 4, 2016 Due third week of April Application available January 4, 2016 Due: Second week of March Varies Varies Application available February 3, 2016 Due: March 18, 2016 Demonstrate Varies February 18, 2016 Demonstrate Varies February 18, 2016 Elena Albano Makaʻalohilohi Fund No Demonstrate Varies February 18, 2016 Ida M. Pope Memorial Yes Demonstrate and Merit Kaʻehu Fund Yes Demonstrate Kaʻiulani Home for Girls Trust Yes Demonstrate Varies February 18, 2016 Varies February 18, 2016 Varies February 18, 2016 Office of Hawaiian Affairs Higher Education Program Yes Demonstrate February 18, 2016 Rosemary & Nellie Ebrie Fund Yes Demonstrate Varies February 18, 2016 Vicki Wilder Fund (KSA) Yes Demonstrate Varies February 18, 2016 Kona Hawaiian Civic Club Yes Other Varies February 18, 2016 Hawaiʻi Community Foundation Multiple s Depends Varies Varies February 18, 2016 Vocational Education Program No Varies Varies (visit website) February 18, 2016
AGENCY UH Foundation Student s www.star.hawaii.edu /scholarship PROGRAM Various Opportunities Available Heyum Endowment Fund Native Hawaiian Eligibility Needed Based or Merit Based? AWARD AMOUNT DEADLINE Varies Varies Varies February 15, 2016 Pacific Island None $3,500 February 15, 2016 Alu Like, Inc. www.alulike.org Hana Lima Application: http://www.alulike.org/services/k aipu_hana.html Yes Degree $1,500 Application available December 1, 2015 Postmarked: January 2, 2016 Asian & Pacific Islander American Fund www.apiasf.org Asian & Pacific Islander American Fund http://www.apiasf.org/scholar ship_apiasf.html Yes, Pacific Islander Financial and Merit $2,500 - $15,000 Application available September 1, 2015 Due: January 8, 2016 Gates Millennium Scholars Program http://www.apiasf.org/scholar ship_gms.html Yes, Pacific Islander Financial and GPA requirement Varies ($2,500- $15,000) Application available August 1, 2015 Due: January 13, 2016 Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu Program http://www.hcchonolulu.org/ Yes, preference for Hawaiian Ancestry No Varies In April Koʻolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club Koʻolaupoko s http://koolaupokohcc.org/scholar ship-and-financial-aid-grants/ No, must live in Koʻolaupoko Moku No Varies In April Prince Kūhiō Hawaiian Civic Club www.pkhcc.com/scholarshi p.html Prince Kūhiō Hawaiian Civic Club Yes Community Service (preferred) $500 - $1000 April 1, 2016
Applications Checklist Name of Deadline Application Completed Demonstrate (FAFSA, SAR, CSS) Personal Statement Transcripts Personal Statement / Essay Letters of Recommendation All Requirements Completed EXAMPLE: KCC/Hemenway April 1, 2014 3/22/14 3/24/14 SAR 3/22/14 N/A N/A Ms. Lani Akana Submitted 3/27/14 3/25