Scholarships & Financial Aid

Welcome to Our Scholarships: Empowering Hawai‘i’s Students for a Brighter Future

Mary Star of the Sea School is proud to support our Ohana by providing access to resources and financial tools to support the educational journey of our students. Discover the Kipona Scholarship, Reid J.K. Richards Foundation, Kalani Zalopany Memorial Service Scholarship, Augustine Educational Foundation, and Mary, Star of the Sea Scholarship. These initiatives provide vital financial support and educational opportunities for eligible students attending participating private schools in Hawai‘i.

Learn how these scholarships are making a difference and empowering young minds to achieve their full potential.

Kipona Scholarship

The Kipona Scholarship provides need-based financial assistance and is open to eligible students attending participating private schools in Hawai‘i other than Kamehameha Schools) for students entering grades 6th or 9th.

Application Window

August 15, 2024 to December 1, 2024 for the 2024-2025 school year

Scholarship Criteria

Applicants must be a State of Hawaiʻi resident and be enrolled in or plan to enroll in a Kipona participating private schools.

Application Link

https://www.ksbe.edu/apply/financial-aid/kipona
Kamakaho'ohie Scholarship
The Reid J.K. Richards Foundation was established in 1999, in memory of Reid James Kamakaho’ohie Richards, who passed away following a courageous battle with lymphoma. At the time of his passing Reid was 33 years young and left behind a wife and two young children. The primary objective of the foundation is to provide the support necessary to aid grieving children and young adults who have lost a parent or primary caretaker through death. The loss of a parent or primary caretaker often results in financial hardship that can limit the potential achievements for many young people.

Application Window

Scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year will open in January 2025. (Deadline date TBD

Scholarship Criteria

Must have lost a parent or primary caretaker through death. (Must submit copy of death certificate)

Must submit two (2) supporting letters by anyone (other than the applicant) who is able to provide the nominating committee with a perspective as to why the applicant is deserving of this scholarship.

Submit an image file (.jpg) of yourself – REQUIRED. You may also submit a short one-minute video (optional).

Application Link

https://www.reidrichardsfoundation.com/scholarship
Kalani Zalopany Memorial Scholarship
The Kalani Zalopany Memorial Service Scholarship was created by anonymous donor(s) to honor the memory of Kalani Zalopany, a Mary, Star of the Sea (MSOS) alumnus. Kalani was an active student at MSOS where he served his school as Sergeant of Arms on the Student Council. Kalani enjoyed serving the entire MSOS student body, most especially the younger students who reveled in his presence

Application Window

Deadline: March 1, 2025

Scholarship Criteria

Current 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grader at Mary, Star of the Sea School

Currently active in serving God’s community – This can be a community at school, church, local neighborhood, or a larger community.

Will be continuing their Catholic education next year at Mary, Star of the Sea School OR, in the case of an 8th grader, at a recognized Catholic high school in the Diocese of Hawaii.

Application Link

https://starofthesea.org/kalani-zalopany-memorial-scholarship-application/
Augustine Education Foundation (AEF)

Founded in 1984, the mission of the Augustine Educational Foundation is to provide tuition assistance to help families with financial needs that count on Hawaii Catholic Schools for their children’s education.

Application Window

January 7, 2025 – March 1, 2025

Scholarship Criteria

All students (grades K-12) who will attend a Hawaii Catholic School during the upcoming school year. Students do not have to be currently enrolled to apply for a scholarship, but you do need to be officially enrolled at the time the scholarship is awarded. Priority is given to those applicants with a high level of financial need.

Application Link

https://www.augustinefoundation.org/scholarship-faqs/
Mary, Star of the Sea Scholarship
The Mary, Star of the Sea Scholarship is awarded to students who will attend Mary, Star of the Sea School. The Mary, Star of the Sea (MSOS) Scholarship Committee reviews each application individually and uses the Augustine Education Foundation (AEF) Tuition Scholarship Program Application to determine eligibility.

Application Window

January 7, 2025 – March 1, 2025

Scholarship Criteria

In order to apply, the applicant must submit a COMPLETED Augustine Foundation application including all necessary required documentation. The criteria used in the selection process include:

Financial need

MSOS parishioner (not mandatory)

Multiple siblings at MSOS

Multiple siblings at another Catholic school

Longevity (ELC included)

Academic achievement

And special circumstances

Application Link

https://starofthesea.org/mary-star-of-the-sea-scholarship/