Scholarship

PCHC Scholarship Program

The Portuguese Cultural & Historical Center is committed to supporting Hawaiʻi’s students as they pursue their educational goals. Each year, we award four scholarships to individuals who demonstrate academic dedication, community involvement, and a strong sense of identity shaped by their family, cultural values, or personal history in Hawaiʻi.

Annual Scholarship Awards PCHC proudly offers:

Two (2) scholarships of $1,000
Two (2) scholarships of $500

These awards help students further their education at a college, university, or trade school.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Be a resident of Hawaiʻi
Be a high school senior or a current college/trade-school student
Have a minimum GPA of 2.75
Demonstrate involvement or service within the community
Submit all required materials by the posted deadline

We welcome students from all backgrounds to apply.

Required Article (Published on PCHC Website)

Every applicant must submit a 700–1,000 word article on the topic:
“How My Family, Culture, or Community Has Shaped My Understanding of Hawaiʻi.”
This article gives students the opportunity to reflect on their relationship to Hawaiʻi—its people, history, culture, and the values that guide their lives.
Ethnicity is not a requirement. Students may write from any cultural perspective as long as it connects to their personal story and their experience living in Hawaiʻi.

Your article should:

Highlight meaningful aspects of your family background, cultural identity, or community
Demonstrate thoughtfulness, authenticity, and clear writing
Be suitable for publication on the PCHC website
Become part of PCHC’s digital education and cultural collection

This writing requirement helps preserve and celebrate the diverse experiences of Hawaiʻi’s youth.

Selection Criteria

The Scholarship Committee evaluates applicants based on:
Insight, quality, and originality of the written article
Community service and leadership involvement
Academic performance
Financial need (optional; considered but not required)

Completeness and clarity of the full application

Scholarship Forms

Click the buttons below to download your preferred scholarship application.