Current Scholarship Opportunities
 

Pauahi Foundation - Pauahi Keiki Scholars

Preschool Scholarship - More Information

 

Pauahi Keiki Scholars (PKS) is a need-based scholarship, open to eligible preschool-aged students planning to attend a participating PKS preschool in Hawai‘i.

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• Application Period: The main application window for the 2026–2027 school year is closed (previously open from September to November 2025). The next window for the 2027–2028 school year is expected to open in August 2026.

• Eligibility: Open to Hawaii residents of Native Hawaiian ancestry (verified by Ho‘oulu Verification Services) who demonstrate financial need. Children must be 3 or 4 years old by July 31st of the entry year.

 

Subsidies Service Providers

 

Maui Family Support Services

Quality Care for Hawaiian Keiki - More Information

 

In October 2016, MFSS was awarded funding to provide the Quality Care for Hawaiian Keiki (QCHK) Child Care Subsidy Program. Funded by the Administration of Children and Families, Office of Child Care, the QCHK program goals are to help Native Hawaiian/Part Hawaiian families become more economically self-sufficient while also helping their children to become school ready.

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• Application Period: Applications are generally accepted on a rolling basis year-round, though early application is encouraged as funding is limited.

• Eligibility: Families must have at least one child of Native Hawaiian/Part Hawaiian ancestry and reside on Maui. Parents/guardians must be working, in school, or in job training for at least 30 hours per week, and meet specific income guidelines.

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Hawaii Department of Human Services

Child Care Connection - More Information

 

The Child Care Subsidy program helps low-income families to sustain their employment, educational efforts, and job training by paying a subsidy for their children who are in the care of DHS-approved child care providers. Unless child care is required for protective purposes, families must meet income and activity requirements to qualify for this subsidy program.

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• Application Period: Open year-round. Families can apply at any time for immediate assistance.

• Eligibility: Based on monthly gross income and household size. Children must be under age 13 (or up to 19 with special needs). Parents must be engaged in an eligible "activity" (work, school, or vocational training).

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Maui County Early Childhood Resource Center

(808) 242-1608 or email mauiecrc@gmail.com - More Information

 

The County Early Childhood Center’s mission is to guide and support the development and implementation of a coordinated system of early childhood services for young children, ages birth to eight years old, in Maui County.

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• Application Period: The Maui County Child Care Subsidy typically has a primary application deadline of June 30, 2026 for the upcoming school year.

• Eligibility: Available to Maui County residents who do not qualify for state or federal subsidies but still fall within specific county income limits.

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PATCH Open Doors

Preschool Open Doors (POD) Program - More Information

 

Preschool Open Doors (POD) provides monthly preschool tuition subsidies to qualified families, up to TWO years prior to Kindergarten.

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• Application Period: The Priority Window is currently open from February 1, 2026 – April 30, 2026. A first-come, first-served window typically follows from July through January.

• Eligibility: As of 2026, the program has expanded to include 2-year-olds in addition to 3- and 4-year-olds. There is no work/school activity requirement for parents, but families must meet income eligibility (newly expanded up to 500% of the Federal Poverty Level).