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Top Hawaii Scholarships in 2022
Aloha! Hawaii is home to many amazing things, from its gorgeous scenery, to its diverse culture, to its amazing universities (and scholarship opportunities). If you’re attending college in the Aloha State, keep on reading to learn about the top Hawaii scholarships available to you.
Jump ahead to:
- Hawaii student loan debt snapshot
- Top Hawaii scholarships
- Merit scholarships at Hawaii colleges and universities
- Additional Hawaii resources
- Frequently asked questions
Hawaii college loan debt snapshot
According to the Department of Education, Hawaii residents owe $4.5 billion in federal student loan debt, with 122,400 student borrowers owing an average of $36,765 each (this does not include private loans). In Hawaii, 51% 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 top Hawaii scholarships, as well as merit scholarships from colleges in Hawaii!
Top Hawaii scholarships
Frank Der Yuen Aviation Scholarship
- Eligibility: Hawaii residents pursuing aviation-related education and training
- Amount: $1,000+
- Deadline: Early February of each year
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: June 1 of each year (Opens in December)
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. Show Interest and commitment in the field of Gerontology/Geriatrics based on course work, research, and/or volunteerism
- Amount: Up to $5,000
- Deadline: June 15 annually
Hawaii Education Association Student Teacher Scholarship
- Eligibility: Student teachers intending to teach in the Hawaii State Department of Education. Be enrolled in a State Approved Teacher Education Program as a full-time undergraduate or graduate candidate
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: Mid-June annually
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. Must have a 3.0+ GPA. Must demonstrate financial need
- Amount: $500 – $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: $500 – $1,000
- Deadline: September 15 annually
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: Due in late October of each year
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 based on scholarship
- Deadline: Late December of each year
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: Up to the cost of full-time tuition at HCC
- 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). Have a 2.0+ GPA
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: Deadlines vary for fall and spring semesters
Hawaii Community Foundation Scholarships
- Eligibility: Depends on scholarship. 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!
- Amount: Varies based on scholarship
- Deadline: Varies based on scholarship
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 $1,200
- Deadline: Automatically awarded if eligible
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 – full tuition
- Deadline: January 15 annually
University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Eligibility: First-year students entering UH Manoa. Must have a 3.8+ GPA
- Amount: Up to full tuition for in-state students; up to $22,032 per year for out-of-state students
- Deadline: January 24 annually
University of Hawaii Maui College
- Eligibility: Must be a Pacific Islander student. Must enroll at least part-time
- Amount: $1,000 per year
- Deadline: March 1 annually
Chaminade University of Honolulu
- Eligibility: Decision made based on admissions application
- Amount: $4,000 – $17,000
- Deadline: Automatically considered upon acceptance to Chaminade University of Honolulu
Hawaii Pacific University
- Eligibility: Decision made based on admission application
- Amount: $3,000+
- Deadline: Automatically considered upon admission to Hawaii Pacific University
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!
Celebrate the West Art Competition
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 can win $200 – $1,500.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hawaii offer free college?
There is not a full-cost scholarship offered by the state of Hawaii, but there are many other opportunities to attend college in Hawaii with free tuition. The University of Hawaii Regents Scholarship covers full tuition for in-state students. The Hawaii Promise Program helps students with financial need cover the costs of community college in the state.
Can I get a full tuition scholarship at the University of Hawaii?
Yes! Whether you’re interested in the Manoa, West O’ahu, or Hilo campus, both the Regents and Presidential Scholarship offer full tuition. However, it is important to note that these do not cover the full cost of attendance (which would include housing and other college-related expenses), instead giving students enough to cover tuition plus a $4,000 stipend per year.
How hard is it to get into the University of Hawaii?
How difficult it is to get into the University of Hawaii depends on many factors: GPA, standardized test scores, extracurriculars, and more. Also very important is what campus you’re looking at, as each University of Hawaii campus has a different acceptance rate. While the U of Hawaii system is awesome, you can receive a great college education and a similar college experience at a number of other universities as well!
