Now Accepting Applications
The Faith C. Ai Scholarship Fund honors the legacy of public school educator Faith C. Ai (1915 – 1997), who had a reputation for bringing out the best in teachers, offering enriching extracurricular activities, and being attentive to the individual needs of every child. This is the fourth scholarship fund established by her daughter, Cynthia Ai, and son-in-law, Dr. Ronald Embry, with the generous support from Faith’s long-time friend, George Hu Wong.
Since 1997, more than 230 scholarships have been awarded in memory of Faith C. Ai to current and future educators throughout the world — from the United States, Asia, the Pacific, and South America — to touch the lives of thousands of students.
About Faith C. Ai
Faith enjoyed a long, illustrious career in public education in Hawai‘i. She served as an elementary school special education teacher and vice principal at two O‘ahu elementary schools, and topped off her career as principal of Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in Honolulu for 16 years until her retirement in 1980.
Her straightforward manner, sense of humor, and appreciation for creativity made her the consummate volunteer, ready to give back in her retirement. She was elected to the HEA board and established a warm friendship with Carol Yoneshige, then executive director, who was instrumental in working with her daughter and son-in-law to establish the first scholarship program in honor of Faith to benefit undergraduate students majoring in education.
Eligible Applicants
Those eligible for the Faith C. Ai Scholarship include undergraduate and graduate students as well as those seeking their doctorate degree. The criteria include:
• Must be in or from Hawai‘i.• Must be currently enrolled in an accredited American college or university.
• Must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5.
• Must be a full-time undergraduate student majoring in education and about to start their third year of study (i.e., the first semester of their 3rd year) toward a bachelor’s degree in education.
• Must be a full-time master’s degree student majoring in any subject as long as you intend to teach and have completed at least one semester of study toward a master’s degree.
• Must be a full-time Ph.D. student majoring in any subject as long as you intend to teach, and who have completed at least eight semesters of study toward a Ph.D. degree.
• Must be an active in-service certified educator who is currently teaching and pursuing a master’s degree and have completed at least one semester of study toward a master’s degree while continuing to teach.
• Must be active in-service certified educator who is teaching and pursuing a Ph.D. degree and who have completed at least eight semesters toward a Ph.D. degree while you are continuing to teach.
Application Deadline
Only hard copies of the application are accepted and must be mailed and postmarked by Friday, January 29, 2027. See the requirements at faithcaischolarship.org and send in your application and supporting materials to: The Faith C. Ai Memorial Scholarship Fund, Selection Committee, P.O. Box 29661, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96820, Attn: Selection Committee.
