Aloha! Hawaii is home to so many amazing things, including gorgeous scenery, an incredibly diverse culture, and amazing universities (and scholarship opportunities!). If you’re attending college in the Aloha State or it’s your future goal, keep on reading to learn about the top Hawaii scholarships available to you.
Jump ahead to:
- How to win Hawaii scholarships
- Hawaii student loan debt snapshot
- Merit scholarships at Hawaii colleges and universities
- Consider in-state tuition and tuition reciprocity
- Hawaii scholarship spotlight
- Frequently asked questions about Hawaii scholarships
How to win Hawaii scholarships
Do you want to say “Aloha” to Hawaii scholarships? The best way to win Hawaii scholarships is to focus on how unique Hawaii is- which shouldn’t be too hard with the beautiful beaches, majestic volcanoes, and a vibrant culture that is quite different from the rest of the United States!
After you have used Scholarships360 and other valuable resources to find Hawaii scholarships, be sure to emphasize your personal connection to Hawaii in your essays. Throw out some details that are unique to Hawaii to incorporate into your essays. For example, if you grew up immersed in Hawaiin culture, maybe write about your experiences and how you will continue to enrich yourself in this culture while studying at university. Ultimately, you should be connecting your own personal experiences to the uniqueness of Hawaii in order to win Hawaii scholarships.
Resources for writing scholarship essays
It may be necessary to write an essay about yourself in order to win Hawaii scholarships. Therefore, read over our Scholarships360 ultimate guide to finding and winning scholarships and our overview of common scholarship essay prompts to help ensure you are prepared to win Hawaii scholarships! Everything you need is at your fingertips with Scholarships360 from guides on how to start a scholarship essay to how to write a 500 word essay.
Hawaii college loan debt snapshot
According to the Department of Education, Hawaii residents owe $4.5 billion in federal student loan debt, with student borrowers owing an average of $36,765 each (this does not include private loans). In Hawaii, 51.1% of student loan borrowers are under the age of 35. As you are starting your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow students to take less loans. Make sure that you apply to as many as you qualify for.
Keep on reading to learn more about merit scholarships from colleges in Hawaii as well as some notable Hawaii scholarships!
Merit scholarships at Hawaii colleges and universities
University of Hawaii at West Oahu
- Eligibility: Students entering UH West Oahu. Must have a 3.5+ GPA and demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and community service
- Amount: $4,000 up to full tuition
- Deadline: Mid-January
University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Eligibility: First-year students entering UH Manoa with impressive academic achievement
- Amount: $2,000 up to full tuition
- Deadline: January 24 annually
University of Hawaii Maui College
- Eligibility: Must be a Pacific Islander student enrolled at least part-time
- Amount: $1,000 per year
- Deadline: March 1 annually
Chaminade University of Honolulu
- Eligibility: Incoming undergraduate freshmen and transfer students are automatically considered based on academic success and rigor in high school
- Amount: $4,000 up to $17,000
- Deadline: Admission to Chaminade University of Honolulu
Hawaii Pacific University
- Eligibility: Decision made based on admission application and academic abilities
- Amount: $3,000 up to $11,000
- Deadline: Admission to Hawaii Pacific University
Consider in-state tuition and tuition reciprocity
In-state tuition provides students with a lower cost compared to out-of-state tuition rates. Additionally, many universities and colleges reserve scholarships and financial aid for in-state students, which helps reduce the cost of attending college for those who live there.
Here are a few well-known Hawaii universities and their in-state vs out-of-state tuition costs:
University of Hawaii at West Oahu
- In-state tuition: $3,672
- Out-of-state tuition: $10,152
University of Hawaii at Manoa
- In-state tuition: $5,652
- Out-of-state tuition: $16,668
How do you get in-state tuition?
Being a resident of Hawaii has its perks when it comes to drastically reducing the cost of tuition. So, how can you become a Hawaii resident for tuition purposes? To qualify for resident tuition, you need to be a bona fide resident of Hawaii for at least one calendar year prior to the semester for which you want residency status. Bona fide residency is similar to the legal concept of domicile. Therefore, to be a bona fide resident of Hawaii you must be physically present in the state and demonstrate during the calendar year in question your intent to make Hawaii your permanent residence. Some examples of demonstrating intent include having a Hawaii lease agreement, Hawaii voter certificate and filing personal income tax for the state of Hawaii.
Ultimately, the university of your choice in Hawaii will have more details regarding their requirements for residency status for in-state tuition. Therefore, double check with your intended university to answer any questions you may have regarding your residency status.
Does Hawaii offer tuition reciprocity?
Yes, Hawaii is a member of the Western Undergraduate Exchange which allows a limited number of qualified students to pay 150% of in-state tuition in other member states. However, it is important to note that many popular universities do not participate in this tuition reciprocity exchange. Therefore, double check with your intended university on their rules regarding tuition reciprocity with Hawaii.
Hawaii scholarship spotlight
Frank Der Yuen Aviation Scholarship
- Eligibility: Hawaii residents pursuing aviation-related education and training
- Amount: at least $1,000
- Deadline: Mid-January
Hawaii Chamber of Commerce of Northern California Kūlia I Ka Nu‘u Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students who either: were born in Hawaii, a resident of Hawaii for at least 5 years, have a parent that has lived in Hawaii for at least 20 years. Be enrolled full- or part-time at an institution of higher education in the San Francisco Bay Area or Northern California
- Amount: $3,000
- Deadline: Late spring of each year
Big Island Federal Credit Union Scholarship
- Eligibility: Be a member in good standing of Big Island FCU (people who live, work, or attend school on the island of Hawaii are eligible to join the credit union). Applications are reviewed based on academic and personal achievement, community involvement, academic and career goals, and letters of recommendation
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Early June
Japanese Women’s Academic Society Academic Scholarship
- Eligibility: Hawaii residents who are pursuing a graduate degree in Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, Social Work, or the Arts and Sciences.
- Amount: Up to $5,000
- Deadline: Mid-June
Hawaii Education Association Student Teacher Scholarship
- Eligibility: Student teachers intending to teach in the Hawaii State Department of Education who are enrolled in a State Approved Teacher Education Program as a full-time undergraduate or graduate candidate
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: Mid-June
Korean-American Scholarship Foundation, Western Regional Chapter
- Eligibility: Students who are of Korean heritage and attending school in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, or Washington
- Amount: $500 -up to $5,000
- Deadline: June 30
The Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students enrolled part-time or full-time in any Associate, Baccalaureate, Masters, or Doctorate degree program offered by an institution in Hawaii. Preference given to students who are of Hawaiian descent or are members or related to members of the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: Mid-September
The Gromet Foundation Scholarships
- Eligibility: Seniors at a Hawaii high school and resident of Hawaii. Must demonstrate financial need and apply through your high school guidance office
- Amount: $2,000 to in-state students; $5,000 to out-of-state students
- Deadline: Late October
Pauahi Foundation Scholarships
- Eligibility: The Foundation awards scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies as well as trade and vocational courses. Many awards may be determined based on merit, and some are for students who demonstrate financial need or for students applying from specific geographic regions
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Early December
Honolulu Community College Hawaiian Tuition Waiver
- Eligibility: Students of Hawaiian descent who are attending Honolulu Community College. Must enroll at least part-time. Must demonstrate financial need.
- Amount: Full-tuition
- Deadline: Must complete the FAFSA application by the deadline for consideration
ALU LIKE, Inc. Hana Lima Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students of Native Hawaiian ancestry who are residents of Hawaii. Enroll full-time in a 2-year vocational degree or vocational certification program in Hawaii (this scholarship is not applicable for undergraduate, graduate, or professional degrees)
- Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: Varies
Hawaii Promise Program
- Eligibility: University of Hawaii community college students taking 6+ credits per semester who demonstrate financial need. Applicants must apply to FAFSA to be eligible and qualify for resident tuition
- Amount: Varies. Average $1,629
- Deadline: Automatically awarded if eligible
Celebrate the West Art Competition
- Eligibility: High school students 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 who submit an original two-dimensional art piece informed by their experience living in the West
- Amount: $200 up to $1,500.
- Deadline: Varies
Additional Hawaii resources
University of Hawaii System common scholarship application
The University of Hawaii System offers scholarships for different schools, areas of study, and achievements. Complete the common application and required materials by March 1 to be considered.
Kamehameha Schools scholarship resources
The Kamehameha Schools website provides scholarships and resources for Native Hawaiians. There are also internship resources!
Hawaii Community Foundation Scholarships
There are hundreds of scholarships available for Hawaii residents, those of Hawaiian ancestry, or those interested in studying in Hawaii! Use the search tool to find what you’re eligible for!
FAFSA guide
On October 1st of every year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens nationwide. Florida students should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible to be eligible for federal student aid as well as some scholarships.
Keep reading
Scholarships360 is here to provide valuable resources and access to scholarships for students! For students seeking financial assistance for college, scholarships are a great way to take fewer loans. High school seniors, Black students, and women can take advantage of specific scholarship opportunities for their demographics. While some scholarships require essays, others are no-essay. Make sure that you take advantage of all scholarships you qualify for!
Frequently asked questions about Hawaii scholarships
Does Hawaii offer free college?
Can I get a full tuition scholarship at the University of Hawaii?
How hard is it to get into the University of Hawaii?
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