Scholarship
SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA AND APPLICATION FORM
The application process is designed to help our youth of Portuguese ancestry discover their roots and learn more about their culture. Applicants will need to speak to their family historian and research points of origin. They will need to reflect upon their heritage and what value it holds for them. Also, the process will help them discover how their individual families continue to keep Portuguese customs alive and well within their home.
Scholarship awards are for one year only. Applicants awarded with money for college will not be awarded again the following year. Applicants will need to re-apply in order to be considered. Applicants will be notified by mail that their application was complete and accepted for consideration as well as for letters of award given or regret. Winning candidates will be asked to appear before our membership to accept the Scholarship award (or a parent as proxy if away at school). All awards will be mailed directly to the billing office of the College or University that the applicant will be attending.
2024 Scholarship and Service Award Winners
CONGRATULATIONS ELISA!
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD CRITERIA ( Basis: )
The mandate to award scholarships is found in the Maui Portuguese Cultural Club By-laws, Article II, Section 1, which identifies the objectives of the Club. Objective “d”, states that the Club “will encourage and assist Portuguese youth of Maui, to attend institutions of higher learning.” Further, Article VIII of the By-laws describes the Scholarship Committee.
Eligibility:
Scholarships are awarded to persons of Portuguese ancestry, in whole or in part, for secondary academic and or vocational education in an accredited institution.
Process:
Article VIII, Section 7 of the Maui Portuguese Cultural Club By-laws details the structure of the Scholarship Committee as follows: “the Scholarship Committee shall formulate policies by which grants will be awarded and shall submit policies to the Board of Directors for approval and thence to the general membership for information. The committee shall establish a selection committee consisting of three (3) members to receive, review and evaluate all scholarship applications and to recommend qualifying applicants to the Board of Directors. Members of the selection subcommittee shall not be of Portuguese descent and shall not be members of the Maui Portuguese Cultural Club. They shall be persons of good character and standing in the community. The Scholarship Committee shall assure the availability of all required forms.”
Judging:
Judging is done by the Scholarship Selection Subcommittee which is composed of three persons who are not Portuguese and who have no membership in the Maui Portuguese Cultural Club. This allows the judges to be fair and objective in their selection. Membership in the Maui Portuguese Cultural Club is not a consideration for scholarship. However, special preference points will be given to those students who are related to a present or past member of the Club. If the student applicant regularly assists with fundraising events or attends club activities additional points will be applied.
Funding:
Funding for the scholarship program comes from the past and present sale of bread baked in a traditional outdoor, wood-burning stone oven, as it has been done in Portugal throughout history, as well as through other fundraising activities.
History:
The Maui Portuguese Cultural Club has been awarding scholarship grants since 1987. With 2018’s award, which was our twenty-first presentation, the Maui Portuguese Cultural Club has given more than $64,000.00 in scholarships.
Applicants are reminded to include:
- A copy of your high school transcript or a transcript of the most recently completed semester, if enrolled in a post-secondary institution.
A copy of your letter of acceptance from an accredited college or university that you plan to attend full time. - A copy of your student FAFSA report to identify financial need.
- Two (2) letters of reference from persons other than relatives.
- A type written essay, no less than 250 words, addressing the question, “What value do you place in
perpetuating your Portuguese heritage? How will you do this? Who in your family has taught you
these values? - A completed application form.
- Applications with transcript and letters of reference must be mailed to:
Scholarship Committee - Maui Portuguese Cultural Club
- P.O. Box 4035, Kahului, HI 96733
FAILURE TO INCLUDE ANY OF THE ABOVE ITEMS WILL AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFY YOU FROM CONSIDERATION. - Applications must be postmarked no later than MARCH 15th of the current year.
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Scholarship Program (2026–2027)
Available Awards:
- Rita Silva Memorial Scholarship – $1000
- MPCC Scholarship – $750
- MPCC Scholarship – $750
- MPCC Scholarship – $500
Eligible Institutions:
- College
- University
- Trade School
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:- Be a graduating high school senior in Maui County
- OR currently enrolled in an accredited institution
- OR planning to enroll in a college, university, or trade school
- Must be of Portuguese ancestry (full or partial)
Submission Information
- Deadline: April 15, 2026 (5:00 PM)
- Applications must be submitted on time and fully completed
- Late or incomplete applications will be disqualified
Leina Shirota-Purdy (Scholarship Chairperson)
Call: (808) 281-7331