Table of Contents
Are you a student from Hawaii on the hunt for scholarships just for you? Well, you’re in luck! There are scholarships for Hawaiian students, including those with Native Hawaiian heritage.
These scholarships are here to help students from Hawaii reach their educational dreams. Some are backed by organizations, foundations, and schools, while the state government also offers a few. Check out a handful of examples in our carefully curated list below.
8 Scholarships for Hawaiian Students You Should Know About
1. Hawaii Community Foundation Scholarships
The Hawaii Community Foundation offers a variety of scholarships for students in Hawaii. The scholarship programs are quite diverse, offering over 170 individual funds, each with its own set of eligibility requirements determined by the original donor when they created the fund.
In general, to qualify for most of these scholarships, you need to:
- Be a resident of the State of Hawaii.
- Plan to enroll in an accredited two- or four-year college or university, either as an undergraduate or graduate student.
- Maintain full-time student status, which typically means taking at least 12 credits if you’re an undergraduate or 9 credits if you’re a graduate student.
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7.
Again, these specific criteria may vary depending on the particular scholarship fund you’re applying for. For more information, just head on over to the foundation’s official website at www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org.
2. HCCH Scholarship
The Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu (HCCH) Scholarship aims to help Hawaiians pursue higher education, which can lead to better representation of Hawaiians at post-secondary institutions and improve their economic well-being.
The specific amount of the scholarship award is not fixed but is determined by the scholarship committee. The scholarship funds can be used for various educational expenses, including tuition, fees, books, and other costs associated with pursuing higher education.
To be eligible for the HCCH Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be residents of Hawaii.
- Be enrolled as full-time students in an accredited two- or four-year college as classified undergraduate students or in a full-time vocational program, either within or outside the State of Hawaii.
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
For more information, just head on over to the club’s official website at www.hcchonolulu.org.
3. HPU Guaranteed Scholarship and Admission Program
Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) is dedicated to making private education accessible for everyone. High school seniors who are currently attending a high school in Hawaii are assured that they will be admitted to HPU if they meet certain criteria.
These admitted students will receive a minimum scholarship of $15,000 per year towards their tuition costs. This scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years, which means it can cover a substantial portion of their four-year undergraduate education.
Those who can demonstrate financial need may be eligible for further financial assistance.
To be eligible for this program, you must:
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 by the end of your junior year in high school.
- Have a clean disciplinary record with no violation.
For more information, just head on over to official HPU website at www.hpu.edu.
4. Kua’ana Native Hawaiian Student Tuition Waiver
Kua’ana Native Hawaiian Student Development Services provide financial assistance to Native Hawaiian undergraduate and classified graduate students at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The program offers tuition waivers, which means eligible students do not have to pay the full cost of tuition.
These waivers are awarded based on financial need on a yearly basis. To be considered for these tuition waivers, you must apply through an online application available on the program’s website at https://hawaii.edu/kuaana.
Eligibility for the tuition waivers is assessed through the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Native Hawaiian students who want to qualify for these tuition waivers must meet certain academic criteria.
Undergraduate students must be enrolled as full-time students and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. Graduate students must also be full-time and maintain a higher GPA of 3.0 or better.
5. Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program
The Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program aims to develop a healthcare workforce of professionals who are specifically dedicated to serving the unique health needs of Hawaiian communities.
The program identifies and supports individuals who are in training to become healthcare professionals. Those who receive scholarships through this program are required to work full-time in medically underserved areas in Hawaii for a period of two to four years.
Scholarship recipients receive financial support that covers various educational expenses. This includes funding for tuition, books, and other costs related to their education. Additionally, they receive a monthly stipend while they are enrolled full-time in an accredited university or college program.
To be considered for this scholarship program, you need to apply through Mauli Ola Malamalama’s website at https://mom.smapply.org/.
6. PATCH Scholarship
The PATCH Scholarship program aims to increase the number of individuals entering the early care and education profession in Hawaii. The Department of Human Services in Hawaii provides the financial resources to support the scholarships.
The PATCH scholarships can be used for different purposes:
- Reimbursement for early childhood specific college courses
- PACE workshops
- Assessment fees for obtaining or renewing a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
The maximum amount awarded per scholarship round is $750. Scholarship rounds occur three times a year, in August, January, and May.
Meanwhile, those already working in the field of early childhood education are given preferences. Also, applicants must be residents of Hawaii to be eligible for the PATCH Scholarship program.
For more information, just head on over to the official PATCH Hawaii website at www.patchhawaii.org.
7. HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union Scholarship
HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union awards a total of 20 scholarships, each valued at $2,000. 12 scholarships are for graduating high school seniors who plan to attend any two- or four-year accredited institution of higher learning. Meanwhile, 8 scholarships are for undergraduate or graduate students.
Applicants must have been a member of the credit union for a year or more before applying. Additionally, applicants should have managed their accounts responsibly, without significant overdrafts or other financial issues.
Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students for the upcoming academic school year to be considered eligible. For more information, just head on over to official HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union website at www.hawaiiusafcu.com.
8. Palama Settlement Scholarships
Palama Settlement provides scholarships to support students in their pursuit of education. These scholarships for Hawaiian students are designed to help students cover the costs of their education, which can include tuition, books, fees, and other educational expenses.
The scholarships are funded by the contributions of organizations and individuals who support the mission of Palama Settlement and want to assist local students in their educational endeavors.
Since 1998, the scholarship program has awarded more than $270,000 in assistance. This financial support has benefited over 200 young individuals, enabling them to further their education. You can find additional information about the scholarship program at www.palamasettlement.org.
Final Thoughts
Be sure to apply for scholarships that fit your situation to improve your chances of winning. These scholarships for Hawaiian students can help you get a step closer to making your dreams come true, whether you’re currently in high school or college. Good luck!
