Sir, I am quite well informed about the financial aid application and process that families can apply for. Anyone can call the Punahou financial aid department and they will find out what I said it quite accurate.

Many families receive financial assistance based on need then they tell people their child is on an athletic scholarship. Like I mentioned, there is no such thing.

Here is their information to authenticate what I have been saying: http://www.punahou.edu/admission/financial-aid/index.aspx or call 808.943.3627 between the hours of M – F, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Here are some excerpts:

Who determines “need” for financial aid?
Punahou uses School and Student Services (SSS) by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) to calculate your financial need, then the Financial Aid Committee may make adjustments based on the documents and information that you have submitted to us.

Does the Financial Aid Office award scholarships?
All financial aid awards are need-based and are not based on academic achievement, talent (musical, drama, dance, or athletics), or leadership.

Do I reapply for aid each year?
Aid is granted for a period of one year, based on current information; changes in a family’s financial situation may change the amount awarded from year to year

If we don’t qualify for aid, what other options do we have? Are there scholarships that do not require demonstrated financial need?

Nearly all financial aid at Punahou is need-based.
There are two exceptions:

The Dolores Furtado Martin Scholarship is available to current students in grades 10 – 12, with preference to students of Portuguese ancestry. This scholarship is based on academic achievement. Application is available in April.

The Wilbur James Baker Scholarship is offered to children of active duty Air Force personnel or physicians practicing at Tripler Medical Center. Call the Financial Aid Office to request an application in April.

Punahou does not offer any other kind of scholarship.

Sir, this is straight from the Punahou website an it was authenticated by my friend high up in the department. Maybe coaches are out there watching. And maybe they might even put in a good word that can help with admissions. And I am guessing that many of them are in heavy need of financial assistance. And I wouldn’t be surprised if some families exaggerate to say Punahou offered their child or their child is on an athletic scholarship.

But as proven by the evidence provided (website address, information from website, and contact info for the financial aid department), athletic scholarships do not exist at Punahou.

If they do exist, can someone please tell me the name of the athletic scholarship so some talents kids that I know can apply for them? And when I call financial aid to inquire, may I use your real name sir as the person who directed me to this athletic scholarship you are discussing?

Mahalo!

It’s very simple. You turn in the appropriate paperwork so the firm that Punahou uses can check a family’s income and worth.

But like I listed, those are the only scholarships Punahou offers.

I cannot speak of gifts coming from alumni or boosters. I am solely speaking of what Punahou the School offer via financial aid and scholarships.

This is information directly from my relative who works in this department and can be found on the Punahou website. It talks about the financial aid office at Punahou.

Punahou School no longer has the Trustee Scholar Program because all students are eligible for the same benefits. As of this 2016-2017, all students (no matter how much aid they get) can apply for summer school tuition aid.

There are no other scholarships. It’s all based on need.

There are two exceptions to need based aid that are for Punahou students but not called financial aid.

One is the Baker Scholarship that is for students whose parents are physicians and Tripler or active duty Air Force. It’s approximately $500-$800 and not based on need. The second one is called the Martin Scholarship. This is for current students in grades 10-12 with a 3.5 GPA or higher. Even if you have this GPA, you still need to be selected. And the preference is given to someone with Portuguese ancestry because the family specified that.

Anyone who thinks this is made up can email the financial aid department at financialaid@punahou.edu.

So please, can we stop with the athletic scholarships given out at Punahou. They do not exist. And as for recruiting, Punahou does not need to recruit. The school and reputation does that for itself.

Thank you.