Navigating Scholarships at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa: A Comprehensive Guide

For current graduate students at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa seeking financial assistance, a variety of scholarships and fellowships are available. This article provides a detailed overview of these opportunities, outlining eligibility requirements and application processes to help students navigate the funding landscape.

University Resources

UH System Common Scholarship Application

A significant number of scholarships are available through the UH System Common Scholarship Application, funded by UH Foundation donors. This application also includes smaller system and campus-specific scholarships. Applicants are required to indicate their home campus and second-choice campus. The application includes three general essay questions:

How are you currently planning to pay for college? Do you anticipate financial challenges during the upcoming year? If so, how do you plan to manage them? If applicable, please share any financial challenges you have encountered and how you managed/resolved them.
Why did you choose the major you intend to pursue in college? How does it align with your specific academic interests, strengths, and career goals?
Describe an experience that helped you grow as a person. How did it help you grow, how did you demonstrate initiative in achieving/addressing it, and what did you learn that you can apply in future situations?

Additionally, there is an optional essay for service activities.

The Common Scholarship application contains several optional essay questions that may be specific to certain campuses or areas of study. It is recommended that you complete those that apply to you in order to be considered for the maximum amount of scholarships available. These essays do not replace your general essays. 442nd Veterans Endowed Scholarship (900-word limit)-Describe the role of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of the United States Army in World War II and their legacy. What activities have you participated in that demonstrate a commitment to health care? Please include if applicable: volunteer work, employment, enrollment in a degree program, career goals and plans, and how you intend to impact the health of your community. In your career as a nurse, describe how you will carry the vision to promote health equity and social justice for the underserved. Environmental Sustainability (600-word limit)-Describe your interest in the field of environmental sustainability, activities that you participated in and how you intend to continue promoting environmental sustainability in the future. John Young-Fine and Performing Arts scholarship at multiple campuses. Windward CC (600-word limit)-Describe how you currently finance your education and how this scholarship would help you reach your education and artistic goals. Dr. Study Abroad Service Project (UH Hilo, 600-word limit)-Propose a service project that you would implement upon your return to UH Hilo and the US. This proposal should include how you would share your experience, how you would inform and encourage others to study abroad, and why you chose this project.

Applicants can list up to three recommenders, including teachers/professors, employers, religious leaders, caseworkers, community leaders, and organization leaders. Some scholarships require a transcript, which must clearly show your name, grades, GPA, and date printed. While not required, students applying for the UH System Scholarships are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

The online UH System Common Scholarship Application has a security feature that causes the application to time out after 45 minutes. However, the timer will reset to the full 45 minutes each time you navigate to a new page in the application. You may also save and exit the application, and return later to continue your application as much as you like before the submission deadline.

UH STAR Scholarship System

The UH STAR scholarship system serves as the centralized resource for funding opportunities at UH Mānoa. It should be the first stop for any scholarship and grant search. It is important to note the priority deadline for all scholarships in STAR is in February. However, some CSAS-specific scholarships, graduate fellowships, and scholarships and fellowships from outside UH have different deadlines.

Additional UH Resources

Graduate Assistantships: These assistantships are available to graduates of accredited institutions with satisfactory scholastic records and adequate undergraduate background in their major field. Applicants must be admitted as potential degree candidates and serve as part-time teaching or research assistants. They typically carry a program of study limited to a maximum of 9 credit hours a semester.
Career Center: The Career Center offers training and information for career planning, including on-campus and community jobs. Students can utilize these resources to find part-time employment.
Compilation of Financial Aid Programs: The university maintains a compilation of announcements and reference books listing programs that offer financial assistance to graduate students.

External Scholarship and Fellowship Opportunities

International Programs

Asian Development Bank - Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP): This program provides opportunities for citizens of ADB's developing member countries to pursue postgraduate studies in economics, management, science and technology, and other development-related fields at participating academic institutions in the Asian and Pacific Region. Upon completion, scholars are expected to contribute to the economic and social development of their home countries.
Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF): BAEF awards fellowships to American students or researchers for 6-12 months. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Knowledge of Dutch, French, or German is optional.
Chateaubriand Fellowship: This fellowship supports PhD students to conduct four to nine months of dissertation research in France across a broad range of fields. French language proficiency is at the discretion of the host institution.
Critical Language Scholarship: This program offers students the opportunity to study language and culture in an accelerated and immersive format. The level of previous study required depends on the language.
DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdiesnst) - German Academic Exchange Service: DAAD offers funding opportunities for graduate students in all disciplines for study and research in Germany. Eligibility requirements vary by opportunity.
Fulbright Program: This program provides round-trip travel, tuition, books, and a stipend for one academic year of study in over 140 countries. Applicants must be U.S. citizens holding a bachelor's degree or equivalent.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS): JSPS provides fellowships for PhD students and postdoctorates in all fields of research, including social sciences, humanities, and sciences. Eligibility requirements vary by award.
KCC Japan Education Exchange Graduate Fellowships Program: This program supports qualified PhD graduate students for research or study in Japan, with the purpose of supporting future American educators who will teach more effectively about Japan. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have completed their PhD qualifying exams and advanced to candidacy status. One fellowship of $30,000 will be awarded.
Luce Scholars Program: This nationally competitive fellowship program is for U.S. citizens who would not have reached their 30th birthday by July 1st of the year they enter the program. Candidates must have earned at least a bachelor's degree or reasonably expect to receive that degree by July 1st of the year they enter the program.
Princeton in Asia (PiA) Fellowships: These fellowships offer one- to two-year paid immersive work experiences with host organizations throughout Asia. Fellows contribute to the host country community while fostering mutual appreciation and cross-cultural understanding. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and a valid passport. English language proficiency is required.
Quad Fellowship: Administered by Schmidt Futures, this scholarship program sponsors American, Japanese, Australian, and Indian master's and doctoral students in STEM to study in the United States. Fellows receive $50,000 in financial support. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and citizens or legal permanent residents of Australia, India, Japan, or the United States.
The J. Watumull Scholarship for the Study of India: This scholarship supports University of Hawai`i System undergraduate or graduate students with focused proposals to study for a minimum of two months in India. Graduate students can undertake advanced study or research at a recognized Indian institution. Alternatively, students may conduct pre-approved independent study overseen by a faculty member at UH in cooperation with a scholar in India. Awards will be made on the basis of academic merit to students in good academic standing. It is expected that students will have a minimum GPA of 2.5. The proposed course of study must contribute to a broader understanding and deeper appreciation of Indian culture and contemporary issues.

Fellowships for Specific Fields of Study

Blakemore Foundation Fellowships: These fellowships support those pursuing fields and academic careers that involve regular use of specified East Asian and Southeast Asian languages. Applicants must be near an advanced level of language proficiency.
Dissertation Fellowship Program: The NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship Program encourages scholars from various disciplines to undertake research relevant to the improvement of education. Applicants need not be citizens of the United States; however, they must be candidates for the doctoral degree at a graduate school within the United States.
Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program (DDETFP): This program awards fellowships to students pursuing degrees in transportation-related disciplines, including mathematics, psychology, planning, natural sciences, and engineering.
East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship: This scholarship program provides payment for two semesters of tuition (fees are not included). Applicants must have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA and must be full-time students. The competition is open to both residents and nonresidents.
Fellowships for Advanced Training in Area Studies: Academic year awards are for language and area studies. Summer fellowships are solely to support intensive language study. These awards are made through the student's department. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents.
Jagdish P. Sharma Memorial Scholarship: Administered by the Department of History, this scholarship supports graduate students with an academic focus on South Asia enrolled in a program in the College of Arts, Languages, and Letters, College of Social Sciences, or College of Natural Sciences at UHM and pursuing studies of or about the South Asia region and its people.
Lewis and Clark Fund: This fund encourages exploratory field studies for the collection of specimens and data, providing travel awards up to $5000. Grants are available to doctoral students in disciplines such as archeology, anthropology, biology, ecology, geography, geology, linguistics, paleontology, and population genetics.
SRCD State Policy Pre-doctoral Fellowship: This fellowship places doctoral students in state executive branch offices that implement state pre-kindergarten programs. Fellows receive a $30,000 stipend and up to $15,000 for tuition and health insurance. Applicants must have completed at least 2 years of doctoral coursework, be in good academic standing, and have a background in early learning and education.
The Council supports living costs and international travel for students participating in graduate degree programs relating to the visual and performing arts.
Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships: These fellowships encourage original study of ethical or religious values in all fields of the humanities and social sciences, helping Ph.D. candidates complete their dissertation work. Applicants must be candidates for the Ph.D. degree in an American doctoral program at a graduate school located in the United States.

Other Specific Scholarship & Fellowship Programs

GRAPES (Graduate and Postdoctoral Extramural Support): GRAPES is a free, online database created by UCLA under the support of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS). Eligibility requirements vary by opportunity.
Hawaiʻi Technology Innovation Development Ecosystem (HITIDE): This program incubates innovations to amplify impact, offering wrap-around services, seed funding, resources, and mentorship. Startups must be UH-affiliated, with at least one member being a UH faculty, researcher, student, staff, and/or alumni.
Smithsonian Fellowships: The Smithsonian offers fellowships to Master's and Doctoral students, as well as for Postdoctoral opportunities. Research is in-residence and must be related to a Smithsonian collection, facility, or research interest. Terms and stipends vary by fellowship category.
Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program Graduate Student Grant: Projects should address critical issues for the Western region. Funds may be used towards expenses such as salary support, fringe benefits, travel, or other expenses, but not tuition and fees. Applicants must be Ph.D. students who have passed their qualifying exams and are full-time enrolled at an accredited land-grant university in the Western region.
American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) Graduate Internships on the Spiritual Infrastructure of the Future: Internships take place during the summer and provide practical work opportunities for PhD students in the humanities and social sciences whose dissertation topics relate to religious studies. Research focus or dissertation topic must relate to religious studies.
Leonard and Rebecca Kamp Endowed Scholarship Funds: The purpose of this Fund is to provide scholarships to students at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business.
McComas-Kobayashi Fellowship Endowment for Public Health: The purpose of this Fund is to support students pursuing studies in Public Health at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Funds shall be used for costs associated with attendance (e.g.
Daniel Selvarajah Sanders Doctoral Award in International Social Work: The purpose of this fund is to assist students in the School of Social Work at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa whose area of focus is congruent with the professional interests of Dr. Daniel S.
James K. Hoenig Endowed Judicial Clerkship Scholarship for the Promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Family Law: The purpose of this fund is to support second- or third-year students pursuing a degree at the William S.

Tips for a Successful Application

Meet Eligibility Requirements: Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria before applying for any scholarship or fellowship.
Craft a Compelling Essay: Address the essay questions thoughtfully and thoroughly, highlighting your academic achievements, personal growth, and career goals.
Secure Strong Letters of Recommendation: Request letters from recommenders who know you well and can speak to your abilities and potential.
Submit Transcripts: Provide clear and accurate transcripts that demonstrate your academic performance.
Complete FAFSA: While not always required, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is encouraged.
Manage Your Time: Be mindful of application deadlines and submit all materials on time.
Proofread Carefully: Review your application materials for any errors in grammar or spelling.

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