The Rotary Club of Metropolitan Honolulu awarded six several two-year scholarships in 2010 to high school seniors who graduated in May 2010 and planned to attend college in Hawaii starting in August 2010.  Our Diamonds In The Rough^® scholarship program seeks to help students who might not otherwise qualify for scholarships.  Please see below for the unique characteristics that we seek in our candidates.  Each scholarship will be in the amount of $2,500 per year, for a total award of $5,000.

The scholarships were awarded to students planning to attend, on a full-time basis, an institution in Hawaii, accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) or other acceptable accreditation body.  We look to the students’ other counselors and mentors, to recommend applicants for these scholarships.  We help students whose academic records would probably not be strong enough to qualify for other programs, but who have demonstrated that they would be motivated to continue their education, if they were able to find the financial resources to do so.

Guidelines for Diamonds in the Rough Scholarships are:

• Must have a grade point average of between 2.0 and 2.5 for his or her high school career, and will, in the counselors’ estimation, be able to complete his or her chosen degree program. A higher grade point average may disqualify an applicant for this scholarship program.

• Must have a high financial need–without a scholarship, the student would not be able to continue school.

• Must be planning to pursue a degree at an accredited Hawaii institution.

• Has demonstrated potential and motivation.

• Is, perhaps, the first person in their family to go on to post-high school education, which will have a significant family impact.

• Intends to go into a field of study that would ultimately impact his or her community for the better.

The continuation of the scholarship for the second year will be subject to the student maintaining a grade point average of 2.5 during their first year.

Application for 2011 Scholarships are now on-line.  Your application must be sent in via your school counselor.  Our target schools include Farrington, McKinley, and Kaimuki High Schools in Honolulu, Hawaii.