Application Process

How to Apply

What every applicant must submit:

1. Completed, signed, and dated hard copy of the application form sent to:
        Faith C. Ai Scholarship
        Attn: Selection Committee
        P.O. Box 29661
        Honolulu, Hawaii 96820
   and postmarked no later than January 31, 2025; and

2. Recent 2"x2" sized passport style photo of applicant; and

3. Personal Statement; and

4. Completed, signed Statement of Income and Expenses; and

5. Signed Warranty and Waiver; and

6. Official copy of applicant's school transcripts attesting to a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5; and must

   a. include courses and grades through the Fall semester 2024; and
   b. be mailed directly from the Registrar's Office of an accredited American college or university; and
   c. be sent directly to the Selection Committee at the address above; and
   d. be postmarked no later than January 31, 2025. (The applicant is responsible for confirming that the certified transcripts were mailed on or before the deadline.)

7. Undergraduate students majoring in Education who are about to start their third (3rd) year of study (i.e., the first semester of their 3rd year toward a Bachelor's degree) must have transcripts which contain grades for a minimum of two (2) years, or the equivalent of four (4) semesters of undergraduate studies; or

8. Master's degree students who are about to start their second semester of their first year of study toward a Master's degree, must have transcripts which contain grades for a minimum of one (1) semester of graduate studies toward a Master’s degree, plus transcripts of all previous undergraduate academic work reflecting the completion of a Bachelor's degree; or

9. Ph.D. degree students who have completed at least eight (8) semesters of study toward a doctorate, must have transcripts which contain grades for a minimum of eight (8) semesters of graduate studies toward a doctoral degree, plus transcripts of all previous graduate academic work reflecting the completion of a Master's degree; or

10. Active in-service certified educators who are teaching and are currently pursuing a Master's degree while they are continuing to teach, must have transcripts which contain grades for a minimum of one (1) semester of graduate studies toward a Master’s degree, plus transcripts of all previous academic work reflecting the completion of a Bachelor's degree; or

11. Active in-service certified educators who are teaching and are currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree while they are continuing to teach, must have transcripts which contain grades for a minimum of eight (8) semesters of graduate studies toward a doctoral degree, plus transcripts of all previous academic work reflecting the completion of a Master's degree; and

12. Two (2) letters of recommendation from professors, teachers, advisors, or administrators with whom the applicant has worked within the last two (2) years and who are in the same department or specialization as the applicant.  The Selection Committee suggests that applicants provide addressed, stamped envelopes for the individuals who are furnishing the letters of recommendation.  The applicant is responsible for confirming that both letters of recommendation have been sent to the Selection Committee on or before the deadline; and

13. Provide further appropriate information if requested by the Selection Committee.

    THOSE NOT QUALIFIED TO WRITE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: Fellow students, colleagues, co-workers, or individuals from a department or specialization other than that of the applicant are not qualified to write letters of recommendation for purposes of this application. Letters received from persons not qualified, for purposes of this scholarship application, to write letters of recommendation will be disqualified.
    
    IMPORTANT RE PERSONAL INTERVIEW: If the applicant is selected as a finalist, he or she must be available in Honolulu, Hawaii, between March 1, 2025, and March 17, 2025, for an in-person interview with the Selection Committee.  The applicant's application will be disqualified if the applicant is invited to, but cannot participate in, a personal interview.  The interview constitutes a significant part of the applicant's evaluation score.  Therefore, if you know that you will not be available for an in-person interview at the assigned time, please do not apply for a scholarship this year.