Duke Award Scholarship 2026 – Up to $15,000 for Hawaiʻi High School Seniors

The Duke Award is a one‑time award of up to $15,000 created to recognize an outstanding Hawaiʻi high school senior who exemplifies the character and personality traits of Duke Kahanamoku.

This prestigious scholarship honors students who fulfill the Ambassador of Aloha Scholarship requirements at the highest level and maintain a GPA of at least 3.5. Duke Award scholars demonstrate excellence in athletics, academics, AND community service. If you are looking for similar opportunities in the United States, explore fully funded scholarships in USA for international students.

Scholarship Overview

• Scholarship Name: Duke Award Scholarship

• Award Amount: Up to $15,000 (one‑time)

• Eligibility: Hawaiʻi high school seniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA

• Nomination Required: Yes – by a school athletic official, school administrator, or coach

• Nomination Deadline: 25 January 2026 (closed)

• Number of Finalists: 3 to 6 students selected annually

For students seeking other funded programs in North America, check latest scholarships in USA for all nationalities.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be nominated by a school athletic official, school administrator, or a coach. Nominators should verify that the nominee demonstrates the ability to compete at a high level of athletics and is outstanding in athletics, academics, AND community service.

Once a nomination is verified, a link and password to the Duke Award application is emailed to the student. Each school or sports club may nominate up to 3 candidates to be considered for the Duke Award.

Application Requirements

The online application includes the following components:

• An essay as well as short‑answer questions

• Transcript of Grades

• Three Letters of Personal Reference

• Athletic Resume (covering the last four years)

• FAFSA Submission Summary (ODKF reserves the right to ask for further financial need documentation if needed)

Important Notes

• While financial need is not a requirement of the Duke Award, it may be weighed as a determining factor

• Duke Award applications not selected for interviews are automatically rolled over to the Ambassador of Aloha application pool – there is no need to apply to both

• Students who do not have a nomination from their school official will only be considered for the Ambassador of Aloha Scholarships

• Incomplete applications will not be considered for either scholarship

For additional financial aid options across North America, explore financial aids for students in North America.

Final Thoughts

The Duke Award Scholarship is a prestigious opportunity for Hawaiʻi high school seniors who excel in athletics, academics, and community service while embodying the aloha spirit of Duke Kahanamoku.

Although nominations for 2026 have closed, prospective applicants should prepare now for future rounds by maintaining a strong GPA, building an athletic resume, and cultivating relationships with coaches and administrators who can nominate them.

For a complete list of open scholarships in North America, visit list of all open scholarships in North America.

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