Scholarships for Hawaii Students: A Comprehensive Guide

Hawaii, with its stunning landscapes and unique culture, is a dream destination for many seeking higher education. However, the cost of living and tuition can be a significant barrier. Fortunately, numerous scholarships are available to support Hawaii students in achieving their academic goals. This article provides a comprehensive overview of scholarships specifically for Hawaii residents, students of Hawaiian ancestry, and those attending or planning to attend universities and colleges in Hawaii.

General Scholarship Resources and Application Tips

Before diving into specific scholarships, it's crucial to understand the general landscape of financial aid. Scholarships360 and Scholarships.com are excellent platforms for finding a wide range of scholarships based on various criteria.

Key Strategies for Success:

Emphasize your connection to Hawaii: In your essays, highlight your personal experiences and immersion in Hawaiian culture. Share specific details that are unique to Hawaii.
Prepare compelling essays: Use Scholarships360's guide to scholarship essays to craft strong and persuasive narratives.
Complete the FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a gateway to many federal and state financial aid programs, including scholarships. The FAFSA opens on October 1st every year.

Scholarships Administered by the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF)

The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF) plays a vital role in distributing charitable funds across the state, primarily through nonprofit organizations. HCF also administers numerous grant-making programs with specific purposes or an island-based focus. A significant portion of HCF's work involves awarding scholarships to deserving college students.

Ida M. Scholarship

The Ida M. Scholarship is available for students who are residents of Kaua‘i or Ni‘ihau Island. The application is available at www.pkhcc.org. Preference is given to Hawaiian students who have demonstrated community service or volunteer work. Students pursuing degrees in Hawaiian language, studies, and culture, journalism, or education are also given preference.

Thz Fo Farm Scholarship Fund

Funded by the Hawaii Community Foundation, the Thz Fo Farm Scholarship Fund awards up to $5,000 annually to multiple postsecondary students of Chinese descent who are studying gerontology. While students from any state may apply, those from Hawaii will be given preference.

Scholarships for Native Hawaiian Students

Several scholarships are specifically designed to support students of Native Hawaiian ancestry. These scholarships often consider cultural involvement, community service, and academic merit.

Ke Aliʻi Pauahi Foundation Scholarships

To qualify for Ke Aliʻi Pauahi Foundation scholarships, applicants must be registered with the Hoʻoulu Hawaiian Data Center. Note that the registration process may take up to 10 weeks.

He Ipu Ka‘eo

He Ipu Ka‘eo is a resource designed to direct Native Hawaiian students to valuable post-secondary education resources, including both college and career training programs.

Hawaiian Tuition Waiver at Honolulu Community College

Native Hawaiian students accepted into a degree-seeking program at Honolulu Community College, who demonstrate financial need and are enrolled at least half-time (6 or more credits), may be eligible for the Hawaiian Tuition Waiver.

Manaʻo O Ke Kai Scholarship Program

The Manaʻo O Ke Kai Scholarship Program provides financial awards to Native Hawaiians who are actively pursuing post-secondary or continuing education. Preference is given to those seeking programs of study in ocean-related vocations or careers, but support is also available for Native Hawaiians furthering their education and skill sets in other fields. Applicants must be under 24 years old (with exceptions for prior military service), have a parent eligible for MOAA membership or be children of active duty, Reserve, National Guard, or retired enlisted military personnel, and have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Read also: Scholarships at UH Mānoa

Warren Nakupuna Ah Loo Memorial Scholarship

To qualify for the Warren Nakupuna Ah Loo Memorial Scholarship, applicants must be graduating seniors or graduates of Kamehameha Schools in Hawaii. They must also have a minimum 3.5 GPA, be pursuing a STEM degree, and attending a college or university in the continental United States.

University of Hawaiʻi System Scholarships

The University of Hawaiʻi (UH) System offers a wide array of scholarship opportunities to students attending any of its ten campuses. These scholarships include need-based and merit-based awards, scholarships based on specific majors, preference for geographic location, campus, and other unique criteria.

UH System Common Scholarship Application

The UH System Common Scholarship Application allows students to apply for multiple system and campus scholarships simultaneously. It is the primary application used by all UH campuses, with the exception of UH Mānoa, which primarily uses STAR. Many scholarships available through this application are funded by the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation.

Hawaiʻi Promise Scholarship

The Hawaiʻi Promise Scholarship is a need-based program designed to make college affordable for qualified Hawaiʻi students. It provides financial assistance to meet the direct educational costs of University of Hawaiʻi Community College students who are enrolled at least half-time in an eligible academic program. This "last dollar" scholarship is based on FAFSA-determined criteria and is applied after all other grants and scholarships have been awarded.

Regents and Presidential Scholarship

The Board of Regents established the Regents and Presidential Scholarships to support Hawaiʻi students with a record of outstanding academic achievement. Regents Scholarships are awarded to 20 outstanding freshmen, and Presidential Scholarships are awarded to incoming juniors.

Read also: Camp Scholarships Guide

UH Manoa Provost Achievement Scholarship

The Office of Admissions awards UH Manoa Provost Achievement Scholarships to high-achieving Hawaiʻi high school graduates. Factors considered include academic scholarship, leadership experience and potential, community service, and financial need. Applicants must meet the priority deadline for fall admission and the scholarship requirements, and be accepted to UH Mānoa. The UH System Common Scholarship Application is used to apply.

Lahainaluna High School Scholarship

In September 2023, the University of Hawaiʻi announced scholarships for Lahainaluna High School (LHS) Class of 2024 seniors to attend any of UH’s 10 campuses.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Beyond HCF and UH System scholarships, numerous other organizations and programs offer financial aid to Hawaii students.

Duke Award

The Duke Award is a one-time award of up to $15,000 recognizing an outstanding Hawaii high school senior who exemplifies the character and personality traits of Duke Kahanamoku. Duke Award scholars fulfill the Ambassador of Aloha Scholarship requirements at the highest level.

Hawai'i B+ Scholarship

Hawaii residents attending a University of Hawaii campus with a minimum 3.0 high school GPA may be eligible for the Hawai'i B+ Scholarship. Applicants must have completed a rigorous high school curriculum, including specific credits in English, math, science, and college preparatory coursework.

Fukunaga Scholarship

The Fukunaga Scholarship is open to college-bound residents of Hawaii pursuing a degree in business at an accredited college or university. Multiple applicants are chosen to receive $5,000 annually, and the scholarship can be renewed up to three times, for a total of $20,000 over a four-year degree program.

HCCNC Kūlia I Ka Nu‘u Scholarship

Kamaʻāina students (those born in Hawaiʻi, residents of Hawaiʻi for at least five years, or have a parent who has lived in Hawaiʻi for at least 20 years) attending an institution of higher education in Northern California may be eligible for the HCCNC Kūlia I Ka Nu‘u Scholarship. The scholarship awards $3,500 to three students annually, along with an HCCNC mentor.

100th Infantry Battalion Legacy Organization Scholarship

The 100th Infantry Battalion Legacy Organization offers financial assistance to high school seniors residing in Hawaii who are pursuing higher education. Applicants must submit an essay responding to prompts regarding the 100th Infantry Battalion.

Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce Scholarship

The Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce Scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students with at least 50% Korean ancestry residing in Hawaii.

JWSF Gerontology Scholarship

Hawaii residents enrolled or accepted into a graduate degree program in Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, Social Work, or the Arts and Sciences may be eligible for the JWSF Gerontology Scholarship. The scholarship awards up to $5,000 to graduate students who demonstrate an interest and commitment to the field of Gerontology/Geriatrics.

GIAR Grandmother's First-Generation Scholarship

The GIAR Grandmother's First-Generation Scholarship annually awards up to $5,000 to first-generation young women of Portuguese, Mexican, Central American, or South American ancestry who are residing in Nevada or Hawaii. Applicants must be under the age of 25 and have graduated or are graduating seniors from high school with a cumulative GPA of no less than 3.0.

Atsuhiko Tateuchi Memorial Scholarship - Vocational and Trade Program

The Atsuhiko Tateuchi Memorial Scholarship is available to Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington residents with Japanese or other Asian ancestry who are pursuing vocational and trade programs.

Easy Access Scholarships

Some scholarships offer a streamlined application process, often requiring no essays.

Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students. The scholarship is awarded to students who get the most out of Scholarships360 scholarships and content.

Niche $50,000 No Essay Scholarship

Niche offers a $50,000 No Essay Scholarship. The winner is selected by random drawing.

Sallie and SoFi Monthly Scholarships

Sallie awards $2,000 each month to eligible entrants, and SoFi gives away $2,500 for school every month. Applicants must be 17 years of age or older and enrolled or planning to enroll at an accredited institution.

Other Scholarship Resources

InspirASIAN Scholarship: Provides financial assistance to high school seniors from various states, including Hawaii.
Big Island FCU Scholarships: Open to members in good standing of Big Island FCU (people who live, work, or attend school on the island of Hawaii are eligible to join).
WGA Celebrate The West High School Art Competition: Students in schools in Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming are eligible.

Student Support Services in the UH System

The University of Hawaiʻi system provides a range of support services to help students succeed, including programs specifically for Native Hawaiian students.

Native Hawaiian Student Services Program

This program offers tutoring, free computer and printing access, academic counseling, internship programs, wellness counseling, technology workshops, and community huaka‘i (fieldtrips). Services are open to all Native Hawaiians regardless of major.

Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center

This center provides academic advising, tutoring, peer mentoring, assistance with financial aid (especially scholarships giving preference to Hawaiians), and career planning and preparation, including placement with mentors and internships on and off campus.

Kaiao Student Success Center

Kaiao offers students guidance and support in achieving their educational goals through cultural enrichment activities, including field trips, hands-on cultural experiences, and networking with other Hawaiian students. Kaiao also provides tutoring and counseling services, and a computer lab for student use.

The Hulili Ke Kukui Hawaiian Center

Committed to actively preserving and perpetuating Hawaiian culture and values, this center offers academic advising, career development, four-year transfer assistance, and tutoring.

Po‘i Nā Nalu

This program provides Native Hawaiian students in career and technical education programs with support services to successfully navigate through higher education and beyond.

The Kapoʻoloku Program for Native Hawaiian Student Success

This program ensures that Kapi’olani Community College (KCC) programs and services are equitable for students of Hawaiian ancestry. It promotes personal growth and development within the social, community, and cultural contexts of Hawai’i’s history. Services are provided at the Manele lab, including peer tutoring, academic advising, computer access, and assistance with financial aid and scholarship applications.

Kūlia ma Kapiʻolani

This Native Hawaiian Career & Technical Education project assists Native Hawaiian students pursuing Career and Technical Education (CTE) in graduating and seeking employment in their chosen fields.

Lunalilo Scholars Program

This program identifies individual needs and provides support, tools, and resources for Native Hawaiian students to build a foundation for success in their first year of college.

Paepae ‘Ōhua Native Hawaiian Student Services Program

This program promotes a holistic Hawaiian cultural foundation experience, empowering all learners to maximize their potential by supporting personal development, cultural identity, and academic success.

Residency for Tuition Purposes

In-state tuition significantly reduces the cost of college compared to out-of-state rates. To qualify for resident tuition in Hawaii, you must be a bona fide resident of Hawaii for at least one calendar year prior to the semester for which you seek residency status. Bona fide residency requires physical presence in the state and demonstration of intent to make Hawaii your permanent residence.

Addressing Student Loan Debt

According to the Department of Education, Hawaii residents owe billions in federal student loan debt. Scholarships help students minimize the need for loans.

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