The mission of this scholarship award is to (1) grant financial support to deserving Shin Buddhist youths in their pursuit of higher education and (2) concomitantly enhance their practice of and commitment to Shin Buddhist principles and teachings throughout their lifetime.

Click here to download the application.

1. Scholarships of at least $2000.00 each are awarded for use in meeting the cost of education at any accredited university, college or vocational/technical post-secondary school in the USA and its possessions.

2. Eligibility

• Applicant must currently be a senior in high school residing on the island of Hawai’i.
• Applicant must be a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist whose parents or guardians are Gojikai and/or temple members or himself/herself a Gojikai member.

3. Materials submission

• Part A - Application Form
• Part B - Temple Activities Form
• Part C - An essay limited to two pages or less typewritten or wp.
• Part D and E- Verification of School/Community Activities and Special Awards Received.
• Signed Release Clause.
• High School transcript showing academic progress through seven semesters.
• Four wallet-size portrait photographs.

4. Application period: February 15 to April 1, 2010. Application with all required signatures, forms, letters and other materials must be received by the Hilo Betsuin Office delivered or postmarked on or prior to April 1, 2010.

• Mailing address:
  
  Mr. Y. Tanaka, Chairman, Scholarship Coordinating Committee
  Richard and Eleanor Imai Shin Buddhist Scholarship
  398 Kilauea Avenue
  Hilo, HI 96720
  

5. Evaluation of applications
Review and judging of all applications shall be conducted by the Scholarship Coordinating Committee, and its decision shall be final.
Criteria:

• Involvement in temple-related organizations and activities as described in Part B, “Temple Activities” of the application (30 points).
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Shin Buddhism as per the required essay (30 points).
• High school academic performance (courses taken, grades obtained, gpa, class rank) as recorded in the applicant’s high school transcript (15 points).
• Awards and Distinctions as per Parts B and E of Application (10 points).
• School and Community involvement as described in Part D of the application (7.5 points each).

6. Notification: Applicants shall be officially notified by mail regarding the decision of the Committee by May 14, 2010.

7. Advisory: Applicants are advised to be certain that all procedures and applicable signatures, forms, lines, sections, etc. of the application are followed and completed. Incomplete applications will seriously affect the evaluation and point standing of the applicant. Should a recipient be unable to continue further education, he/she must so notify the Committee Chair promptly by calling 961-6677, Hilo Hongwanji Betsuin office.

Thank you very much for applying.