MAKAHA SONS FOUNDATION
(A Hawaii nonprofit corporation)

The Makaha Sons Foundation (the “Organization”) has developed its scholarship program to further the Organization’s charitable purposes by providing postgraduate financial assistance to Hawaii’s high school seniors to provide them with an opportunity to learn and appreciate the music, dance, culture, history and humanities of Hawaii.  The scholarships are meant to provide the recipients with educational opportunities that they would not otherwise receive if they had not received the awards.  It is intended that the recipients benefit from the awards, not the Organization or educational institution from which learning will occur.

Eligibility

Awards are primarily based on the applicant’s interest and motivation in advancing his or her education in Hawaii’s music, dance, culture, history or humanities and personal achievements toward this end.  Applicants for the scholarship program must meet the following criteria:

• High school seniors graduating in the Spring and attending full-time postgraduate education in an accredited college or trade/vocational school in the Fall.
• The applicant’s major course of study must be in one of the following areas of Hawaiian studies:  Music, Dance, Language, Culture, History, or Humanities.

An individual or a family may apply for a scholarship.  The Organization will award up to two scholarships per year.

Application Process

If you wish to apply for a scholarship, you may obtain an application here or by requesting an application at the following address:

Makaha Sons Foundation
Attn: Myrna Young, Scholarship Committee
P.O. Box 22720
Honolulu, HI 96823

Applications must be legibly printed in ink or typewritten and signed by a parent or legal guardian.  Applications received are held for review until the next Scholarship Committee meeting.

Committee Review Process

The Organization’s board of directors selects a diverse group of individuals from the community to participate on the Scholarship Committee.  Awards are made until available funding limits have been reached.

Without exception, no award recipient may have a familial relationship with any Scholarship Committee member, fund contributor, or the directors and officers of the Organization.

Notification of Awards

The Scholarship Committee will usually notify the recipient through a letter after the Scholarship Committee makes its decision.

Scholarship Disbursements

Scholarships are typically made once each year in May.  Disbursements are made only to those applicants who have met the requirements of the scholarship program.  Disbursements are typically made to the institution; however, the Organization reserves the right to distribute the funds directly to the award recipient or to make partial payments to the institution and recipient if the circumstances make this necessary.

The distributions for scholarships awarded each year are based on the Organization’s spending policy as set by the board of directors from time to time.

Renewals and Reapplication Requirements

Financial assistance may be renewed as long as the recipient continues to make diligent efforts and demonstrates increasing progress in his/her studies.  Failure to do so will jeopardize renewal assistance.

All recipients will be required to reapply for consideration each year.  This will involve completion of the application for assistance and a review of the recipient’s progress to date.  Award levels are reviewed and adjusted based on available funding limits.

Changes to Scholarship Policy and Procedures

The Organization reserves the right to amend its scholarship policy provisions and procedures at any time through action by its board of directors and the Scholarship Committee.  Changes will be made public by revisions to this printed policy and letters to current applicants.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The Organization does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its scholarship program and activities.