RAM now accepting applications for 2022 scholarship

How does it feel to be a college student who has been selected to receive a scholarship?

“It is a complete honor,” said Lauryn Ige. “I am so grateful to have been chosen and receive some financial help.”

Ige is a two-time recipient of the Realtors Association of Maui Community Foundation (RAMCF) Presidential Scholarship; she was awarded the scholarship in 2020 and 2021. The Baldwin High School graduate is currently attending Santa Clara University, where she is double-majoring in communication and psychology and minoring in creative writing.

She is one of the many graduates from private and public high schools on Maui, Lanai and Molokai who are now pursuing degrees at colleges and universities throughout the U.S. with the help of the scholarships they received from the RAMCF Presidential Scholarship Fund.

Since its inception in 1989, the RAMCF Presidential Scholarship Fund has awarded $854,000 in academic scholarships to college-bound high school seniors and past scholarship recipients like Ige. Funds for the annual scholarships have been raised through Mea Kako‘o, a group of sponsors who collectively donate money to the program, and events like the Maui Visitor Industry Charity Walk, RAM’s Got Talent event, the RAMCF Presidential Scholarship Golf Event, and RAM’s annual installation and membership gala. When in-person fundraising events had to be canceled or postponed due to COVID-19, RAM members voluntarily donated a portion of their closed transactions to RAMCF for the scholarship fund.

To be eligible for the scholarship award, students must be a high school senior or a former recipient of the scholarship from the previous three years and they must be in the process of applying or reapplying to an accredited college or university or trade school. Applicants must also be full-time Maui County residents who are currently attending or have previously attended a public or private high school in Maui County. However, students attending private high schools off island will be considered residents of Maui County if they are living off island for the specific purpose of attending that private high school. Current GED participants are also encouraged to apply for the scholarship award.

Once they receive the completed applications, the volunteer members of the RAMCF Presidential Scholarship Fund Review Committee carefully evaluate each applicant based on a number of criteria, including financial need, scholastic achievement, career goals, school activities and community activities. In addition, applicants are required to submit a written personal statement that answers the question: “Who are you?” They are also asked to write about their interests, concerns and expectations, as well as why receiving the scholarship is important to them.

Each year, the RAMCF Presidential Scholarship Fund Review Committee determines the total number of scholarship recipients. And what makes this scholarship program unique is that past recipients can apply every year they are in school, up to four years.

Last year, RAMCF awarded scholarships to 42 students from Maui County. Among them was Briana Bandy, a 2019 Lahainaluna High School graduate and a three-time RAMCF Presidential Scholarship recipient. She is attending Arizona State University, where she is studying secondary education. “The Realtors Association of Maui’s continued generosity toward me is absolutely life-changing,” Bandy said. “I am beyond grateful and so happy that so many people believe in me and want to support me on my journey.”

Do you know a college-bound student who may be interested in the RAMCF Presidential Scholarship Fund? Tell them to mark their calendars now: The deadline to apply for the 2022 scholarship is Saturday, April 30. To apply, visit https://scholarsapp.com/scholarship/realtors-association-of-maui-presidential-scholarship.

For more information about the Realtors Association of Maui Community Foundation, visit https://www.ramaui.com/foundation/ or contact RAM at info@ramaui.com or (808) 873-8585.


The Maui News – March 14, 2022