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Apply for Kipona Scholarship

How to apply

The Kipona Scholarship provides need-based financial assistance and is open to eligible students attending participating private schools in Hawai‘i.

 
1
Verify eligibility

Please verify that you meet the requirements if you are a new or returning applicant. See eligibility information further down on this page.

2
Apply online

Complete the online application through FACTS and pay an application fee of $35.

  • For parents who live in the same household: Complete one application.
  • For parents who live in separate households and share physical custody: Each parent is required to submit an application.
Start application
3
Upload financial documentation

We require that you submit both your 2022 signed federal income tax return along with any applicable tax schedules and any non-taxable income document listed on your application (if applicable).

4
Ancestry verification

Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. If you would like your child to be considered under that policy, your child’s Hawaiian ancestry must be verified by Kamehameha Schools’ Ho‘oulu Verification Services.

5
Custodial information

If the child’s biological parents are not currently married, you will be required to submit all necessary court documents (divorce decrees, custody agreements, legal guardianship, etc.) to confirm legal custody.

Custodial information establishes who has the legal authority to make decisions and to sign school documents on behalf of this child. Custodial documentation and questions regarding custody should be submitted to the Kamehameha Schools Ho‘oulu Verification Services.

6
Await your decision letter

Kamehameha Schools decision letters will be emailed starting May 2024.

Application calendar

FOR NEW STUDENTS

15Aug
2023

Application opens

1Dec
2023

Application deadline

FOR RETURNING STUDENTS

15Aug
2023

Application opens

1Dec
2023

Application deadline

 

Eligibility

FOR NEW STUDENTS

New students applying must:

  • Be a state of Hawai‘i resident (lived continuously in the state at least 12 months of application date)
  • Be entering grade 6 or 9
  • Be enrolled at a participating private school in Hawai‘i
FOR RETURNING STUDENTS

Returning students applying must:

  • Be a state of Hawai‘i resident (lived continuously in the state at least 12 months of application date)
  • Have used a Kipona award for SY 2023-2024
  • Progress to the next grade level

Additional information


FAQ

FACTS Grant & Aid is the third party vendor used to process KS Preschool through Grade 12 financial aid and scholarship applications.

Yes, the non-refundable application fee is $35.00 and payable to FACTS Grant & Aid. All fees are paid through the online application process.

KS offers a limited number of fee waivers for qualified students.

Birth parents are required to complete a FACTS Grant & Aid application. See general requirement below:

  • Birth parents in same household – Birth parents complete one application and provide their contact and financial information.
  • Birth parents live in separate households: Each birth parent is required to submit a FACTS Grant & Aid application.

Custodial parent may submit an explanation of circumstances to help KS understand the current family situation with the whereabouts of a parent. The explanation of circumstances will be reviewed, and additional information may be requested.

Yes, you may log back in to the FACTS Grant & Aid system and complete the application by the program deadline.

No, any circumstances that occur after the program deadline will not be honored.

No, you do not need to create a new account. You can apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships using your current FACTS login information.

Parent(s) may select program applying to in section number five of the application process. Upon school selection you will be asked to select program (or Organization) you are applying to. Check boxes for program must be selected for KS to view your application.

Yes, current recipients must reapply annually for scholarship consideration.

See this general list of required documents:

  • 2022 signed federal income tax return and all schedules
  • Any non-taxable income document listed on your application
    • Public assistance (TANF, SNAP, etc.)
    • Social Security benefits
    • Workers’ compensation
    • Child support
  • Court-approved custody documentation
  • Ward of State documentation

You may upload your documents directly to your application.

You will receive a confirmation email confirming receipt of your application and/or required documents within 24 hours of submission.

FACTS Grant & Aid or KS will send an email and/or phone call notification if your application is incomplete.

Yes, feel free to come in to a Resource Center near you. Please complete the appointment scheduler to lock in a date/time: bookings.ksbe.edu/ksrc.

Our PreK-12 Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs are need based. FACTS Grant & Aid uses the information you provide on your application and supporting documents to calculate your financial need. The need is the estimated amount your family will need to support your student’s education.

Because school costs and family situations vary considerably, there is no specific income limit that determines eligibility. We encourage everyone to apply if you feel you cannot meet your educational expenses.

To alleviate family's uncertainty with COVID-19, Kipona service hours have been made optional for the school year. If ‘ohana choose to complete service hours, they can report them in the FACTS portal opening in Fall 2023.

We anticipate making Ho‘oulu Kaiāulu community service mandatory for the 2024-2025 school year should your keiki remain in our Kipona Scholarship program.

The FACTS Grant & Aid application is a family application. One application can be used to apply to multiple students in the household for multiple Prek-12 financial aid and scholarship programs.

Yes, returning students must reapply annually for scholarship consideration.

Yes, you may use your current login with FACTS to complete the 2024-2025 financial application.

FACTS Grant & Aid is the third party vendor used to process KS Preschool through Grade 12 financial aid and scholarship applications.

Yes, the non-refundable application fee is $35.00 and payable to FACTS Grant & Aid. All fees are paid through the online application process.

KS offers a limited number of fee waivers for qualified students.

Birth parents are required to complete a FACTS Grant & Aid application. See general requirement below:

  • Birth parents in same household – Birth parents complete one application and provide their contact and financial information.
  • Birth parents live in separate households: Each birth parent is required to submit a FACTS Grant & Aid application.

Custodial parent may submit an explanation of circumstances to help KS understand the current family situation with the whereabouts of a parent. The explanation of circumstances will be reviewed, and additional information may be requested.

Yes, you may log back in to the FACTS Grant & Aid system and complete the application by the program deadline.

No, any circumstances that occur after the program deadline will not be honored.

No, you do not need to create a new account. You can apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships using your current FACTS login information.

Parent(s) may select program applying to in section number five of the application process. Upon school selection you will be asked to select program (or Organization) you are applying to. Check boxes for program must be selected for KS to view your application.

Yes, current recipients must reapply annually for scholarship consideration.

See this general list of required documents:

  • 2022 signed federal income tax return and all schedules
  • Any non-taxable income document listed on your application
    • Public assistance (TANF, SNAP, etc.)
    • Social Security benefits
    • Workers’ compensation
    • Child support
  • Court-approved custody documentation
  • Ward of State documentation

You may upload your documents directly to your application.

You will receive a confirmation email confirming receipt of your application and/or required documents within 24 hours of submission.

FACTS Grant & Aid or KS will send an email and/or phone call notification if your application is incomplete.

Yes, feel free to come in to a Resource Center near you. Please complete the appointment scheduler to lock in a date/time: bookings.ksbe.edu/ksrc.

Our PreK-12 Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs are need based. FACTS Grant & Aid uses the information you provide on your application and supporting documents to calculate your financial need. The need is the estimated amount your family will need to support your student’s education.

Because school costs and family situations vary considerably, there is no specific income limit that determines eligibility. We encourage everyone to apply if you feel you cannot meet your educational expenses.

To alleviate family's uncertainty with COVID-19, Kipona service hours have been made optional for the school year. If ‘ohana choose to complete service hours, they can report them in the FACTS portal opening in Fall 2023.

We anticipate making Ho‘oulu Kaiāulu community service mandatory for the 2024-2025 school year should your keiki remain in our Kipona Scholarship program.

Need kōkua?

Phone:
(808) 534-8080 or 1-800-842-IMUA and press 3 (Neighbor Island/Continental U.S.)

Email:
ksrc@ksbe.edu

Schedule help:
bookings.ksbe.edu/ksrc

 

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