Her friend, Southlander Christina Taylor, has already had a year at the university and let Pali know it was searching for a long-distance runner.
''They were looking for a 5km and 10km specialist and I sent back a list of my personal-best times,'' Pali said. It happened quickly after that. Pali had an email back from coach Stefanie Slekis within 24 hours.
''Four days later she skyped me and offered me the scholarship in person,'' Pali said.
The three-year scholarship at the University of North Texas will be worth around $US40,000 ($NZ48,780) a year for Pali, who will study for a science degree. Her travel to athletics meetings around the US will be paid and she will get free athletics gear.
''You get three pairs of spikes each year and all your jackets and shorts are given to you. It is expensive to get good quality gear in New Zealand.
''I love running and competition. I will be living the dream.''
Pali has her last race in Dunedin at the Caledonian Ground today and leaves New Zealand on January 6.
Her first race in the US will be an indoor 3km 10 days later.
''I don't think its really hit me yet,'' Pali said.
''I'm excited about the challenge. I've always thought about going to the States on a scholarship but it hasn't sunk in yet.
''My lifestyle will be based around my running and my recovery. I'm excited about studying again because this year was really long. The culture will be new and interesting.''
Pali understands the pressure of training and performing at peak levels can be tough. But she relishes the chance of getting regular and tough competition.
There are no national track championships in Dunedin in the next two years and Pali would have had the expense of travelling to the North Island, had she stayed in Dunedin.
''The next two years will be pretty bleak for us. Travel costs a lot. The Skeggs Foundation has been good to me but the cost, compared to the American system, doesn't add up.''
Pali (20) was born in Oamaru and joined the Hill City-University club six years ago when her family moved to Dunedin and she was a pupil at Kavanagh College.
She studied science at the University of Otago in 2012 and decided to take a year off and earn some money this year with two part-time jobs. She also completed practical assignments in speech and drama.
Six years of long mileage training on the Dunedin hills under the direction of coach Richard Barker should help Pali in the US.
''I just hope that the base Richard has built into me with all the miles will help when I do the speed work in Texas,'' Pali said.
''There is no-one to push me in Dunedin. All the boys are getting too quick.''
Her goal is to improve all her times and make a contribution to the North Texas athletics team on the track and in cross-country.
The University of North Texas has 35,778 students and is based in Denton, a city with a population of 121,000.
Shauna Pali: At a glance
Age: 20.
Education: Kavanagh College, University of Otago.
Coaches: Prof Richard Barker (Dunedin), Stefanie Slekis (Texas).
Record: Otago senior women's 10,000m champion (2010, 2013); Otago senior women's cross-country champion (2013); NZ Schools paper team 2011.
Best times: 1500m (4min 47.08sec), 3000m (10min 55.74sec), 5000m (18min 24.13sec); 10,000m (38min 10sec).
