SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 2026:  NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!

The Scholarship Program of the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui (JCSM) is a cultural scholarship awarded to High School seniors who are pursuing further education with a record of involvement in promoting and perpetuating Japanese culture or the Japanese language, and a desire to continue to do so.

JCSM will award a $1,000 scholarship and one Asa Ellison Memorial Scholarship of $1,500 to an applicant who has demonstrated dedication to learning and promoting the Japanese language. Additional awards may be offered depending on available funding.

Eligibility

• The applicant must be a resident of the island of Maui during the senior year.
• The applicant must be a graduate of the class of 2026 from a high school on Maui.
• The applicant must complete the Scholarship Program Application Form and submit all the requirements by the deadline.

Criteria

• Essay (50 points): Interest, motivation, and explanation in perpetuating Japanese culture based on the application questions.
• Involvement (30 points): Participation in Japanese cultural activities, such as school or community events.
• Recommendation (10 points): At least 1 letter of recommendation from a non-relative highlighting the applicant’s character and potential.
• Financial Need (10 points): Consideration will be given to applicants who demonstrate financial need to support continued education. Applicants should briefly describe circumstances that impact the ability to fund education, as well as any other relevant factors.

Submission

Submit your complete application by March 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Questions?

For questions, please contact the JCSM Scholarship Committee at jcsmhawaii@gmail.com.

Other conditions for selected recipients:

Scholars must be able to submit a 2-minute acceptance video, which will be shared on JCSM's platforms, similar to the one displayed on this page.