Finding the right financial aid can make all the difference when pursuing higher education. For Hawaiian students, there are numerous scholarships available for the 2024-25 academic year, specifically designed to support your educational journey.
Whether you’re seeking aid based on academic performance, financial need, or cultural background, these scholarships offer valuable opportunities. If you have a Native Hawaiian lineage, here are 15 prominent scholarships you may want to apply for.
Key Points
• Scholarships are available for Hawaiian students based on both financial need and academic excellence, ensuring opportunities for a wide range of applicants.
• Many scholarships for Hawaiian students emphasize cultural preservation and support individuals who demonstrate a commitment to their Hawaiian heritage.
• Some scholarships target students pursuing degrees in specific fields such as health care, education, and environmental sciences.
• Scholarships are available for high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students, offering assistance at different stages of education.
• In addition to scholarships, Hawaiian students can apply for grants, federal student loans, and private student loans to help pay for college.
Scholarships for Native Hawaiians
Scholarships are essentially free money from different organizations, groups, or institutions to be used toward your education. Since these are awards, the money doesn’t need to be paid back. They can help make affording college easier and may even eliminate the need to apply for federal or private student loans.
Below you’ll find some of the more commonly touted Native Hawaiian scholarship opportunities. However, this list is only partial, and you can find others through the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and by using SoFi’s scholarship search tool. You can also register for a chance to win a $2,500 SoFi Scholarship simply by entering your name and email address.
Here are the top 15 scholarships you can consider applying for if you are of Hawaiian ancestry:
1. Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce Scholarship
Sponsored by the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, this scholarship is geared toward students pursuing study in the area of business administration at an accredited two- or four-year college institution in Hawaii or the continental U.S.
Applicants for this must exhibit interests in the Hawaiian language, culture, and history, and have a commitment to contribute to the greater community.
2. Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program
The Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP) is a merit scholarship given to students seeking a degree in the field of healthcare. Some of the health professions include physician, nurse, dentist, clinical psychologist, dietitian or nutritionist, and social worker, among others. It’s important to note the eligible health professions may change each year.
Native Hawaiian students enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university in Hawaii can apply. Recipients who receive an NHHSP award are obligated to work full-time in medically underserved areas in Hawaii for a minimum of two years and a maximum of four.
Along with covering the student’s tuition and other education-related costs, the scholarship provides a monthly stipend for their full-time work requirement in their health care discipline.
3. Second Century Scholarship
The Second Century Scholarship is an award available to all Native Hawaiians attending any of the 10 campuses and educational centers within the University of Hawaii system. Since the scholarship is need-based, students who apply need to show they qualify for the requisite amount of financial aid.
Award amounts differ and are determined by the applicant’s financial need and the availability of funds. Native Hawaiian students can apply for financial aid through their campus financial aid offices. All regular financial aid deadlines apply.
4. Jean Ileialoha Beniamina Scholarship for Ni‘ihau Students Fund
A need-based scholarship, the Jean Ileialoha Beniamina Scholarship for Ni‘ihau Students Fund is for students who reside on either Kaua‘i or Ni‘ihau Island. Current Ni‘ihau residents or Kaua‘i residents who are one or two generations removed from Ni‘ihau Island are given preference, along with those students who are proficient or fluent in the Hawaiian language.
5. Blossom Kalama Evans Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Blossom Kalama Evans Memorial Scholarship Fund is sponsored by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, which has over $7 million dollars a year available for scholarships from more than 300 funds.
College juniors, seniors, or those going on to grad school can apply. Applicants must be a resident of Hawaii and attend college in the state. Preference is given to those students who major in Native Hawaiian or Hawaiian studies.
6. Prince Kūhiō Hawaiian Civic Club Scholarship
The Prince Kūhiō Hawaiian Civic Club, an organization dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of Hawaiian values, culture, and education, sponsors scholarships open to a variety of students pursuing degrees or certificates.
Preference for these awards are given to Hawaiian students that have engaged in community service or volunteer work, along with individuals pursuing degrees in the Hawaiian language, culture, studies, journalism, or education.
In addition, there is a vocational scholarship program for students who live in Hawaii. Applicants need to be enrolled at least part-time in a vocational degree program, including associate degrees, or a certification program on a list of their approved educational institutions and approved programs in Hawaii.
7. Warren Nakupuna Ah Loo Memorial Scholarship
This merit-based prize, named for the late civil servant Warren Nakupuna Ah Loo, is funded by the Nakupuna Foundation, a nonprofit committed to the advancement of the Native Hawaiian community.
Created for high school graduates or anticipated graduates from one of Hawaii’s Kamehameha Schools, the Warren Nakupuna Ah Loo Memorial Scholarship is designed to support students attending college anywhere in the U.S. who are pursuing studies in STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math).
Recommended: 30 College Scholarships for Minority Students
8. Rosemary & Nellie Ebrie Scholarship
This scholarship, also sponsored by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, is for Native Hawaiians who were born and currently reside on the island of Hawai‘i, otherwise known as the Big Island.
Applications for the Rosemary & Nellie Ebrie Scholarship are open to undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate financial need.
9. Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Program
Asian & Pacific Islander American (APIA) Scholars offers a range of scholarships for students who identify as Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander. These awards are for undergraduate students who are already attending a U.S. accredited college or university, and range from $2,500 for one-year awards to $20,000 for multi-year awards.
APIA scholarships give special focus to those students who live at or below the poverty level and are first-generation college students. Applicants also must be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the U.S.
Recommended: FAFSA Grants and Other Types of Financial Aid
How Do I Know if I’m Eligible for Native Hawaiian Scholarships?
The term Native Hawaiian refers to a person with origins in the aboriginal, indigenous people who settled in Hawaii, founded the Hawaiian nation, and exercised sovereignty over their territory. A Native Hawaiian person is also considered to be a Pacific Islander, which refers to those people from Polynesian, Micronesian, and Melanesian cultural backgrounds.
It’s important to note people who are born in Hawaii but don’t have any ancestral links aren’t considered to be Native Hawaiians.
Scholarships for Native Hawaiian Women
If you’re a Native Hawaiian woman, you have the opportunity to apply for scholarships specifically created to support your educational pursuits. These scholarships include:
1. Ida M. Pope Memorial Scholarship
Women of Hawaiian ancestry can apply for the Ida M. Pope Memorial Scholarship through the Hawai‘i Community Foundation. This scholarship is set up to benefit a female student pursuing a career in the field of health, education, or STEM. Applicants need to demonstrate financial need, be a resident of Hawaii, and enroll as a full-time student.
2. Ka‘ehu Scholarship Fund
Another women-only scholarship offered through Hawai‘i Community Foundation, the Ka‘ehu Scholarship Fund, is for female-identifying students working toward earning an undergraduate or graduate degree.
The need-based award gives preference to women of Hawaiian ancestry that identify as LGBT and have participated in community service, clubs, and/or high school athletics.
3. AAUW Honolulu Branch Education Funds
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) promotes equity and education for women and girls. The Honolulu branch of AAUW offers need-based scholarships for Hawaiian female undergraduate students who already have some college credits.
The AAUW Honolulu Undergraduate Scholarship is for women who have already completed some college (a minimum of 12 credits), but had to halt their education for certain life circumstances. For this reason, the application is open to those who are 21 or older.
Female students must already be accepted or enrolled as a full- or part-time undergraduate in a college, community college, university in Hawaii, or online program from a regionally accredited public or private not-for-profit educational institution. Applicants need to be a Hawaiian resident and demonstrate financial need.
AAUW Honolulu also has graduate scholarships that are offered and administered through the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.
4. The Betty Bell Scholarship for Kauai Women
Established in 2020, the Betty Bell Scholarship for Kauai Women benefits women from the island of Kauai who demonstrate a strong work ethic and may not normally have the opportunity to go to college.
The prize is named after Betty J. Bell, the first licensed pharmacist on the island of Kauai, who was a strong advocate for women, especially for those who wanted to achieve their career dreams. Her namesake scholarship prioritizes working mothers, as well as women who are returning learners who had started college but didn’t get to complete their degree.
The scholarship is administered through the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, and applicants must be a resident of Kauai Island and demonstrate financial need.
5. Ka’iulani Home for Girls Trust Scholarship
A need-based scholarship, the Ka’iulani Home for Girls Trust Scholarship supports female students of Hawaiian ancestry who are full-time college freshman or sophomores.
Women must be of Hawaiian ancestry, residents of Hawaii, and attend an accredited, two- or four-year, not-for-profit college or university within the Aloha state.
Recommended: 10 Popular Scholarships for Women
Can I Get a Scholarship for Being Hawaiian?
Yes, there are many scholarships for those who are of Hawaiian ancestry as well as for individuals who are Hawaiian born and residents of the state.
How Do I Get a Hawai’i Promise Scholarship?
If you are planning to attend one of the University of Hawaii’s seven community colleges, you can apply for a Hawai’i Promise Scholarship. This scholarship offers money from the state of Hawaii, along with the University of Hawaii, to provide qualified students with all of their direct education costs (tuition, books, fees) that aren’t met by other forms of financial aid.
In 2023, almost $3.8 million was awarded to 1,774 eligible students in the UH Community College system, with the average award per student equaling $2,142.
To qualify for a Hawai’i Promise Scholarship, you’ll need to be enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester at a UH Community College, be a resident of Hawaii, and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You’ll then be notified by your campus if you’re eligible for the scholarship.
Recommended: Important FAFSA Deadlines to Know
What Is Native Hawaiian Exemption Tuition?
Students who can show proof of their Native Hawaiian ancestry may be able to get a Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver. Those who apply must have a financial need based on information given on the FAFSA form.
The waiver applies to part of your tuition (not fees) and you must be at least a part-time student (6 credits) and attending an institution within the University of Hawaii system.
Recommended: What Is Need-Based Financial Aid?
The Takeaway
There are a multitude of scholarship opportunities available for Native Hawaiians, aka people who are of Hawaiian ancestry. Scholarships for Native Hawaiians can be need- or merit-based and are open to undergraduate, graduate, vocational students, and community college attendees. Since competition for scholarships can be fierce, being able to apply for specific scholarships can give a Native Hawaiian student a major leg up when it comes to paying for college.
Other ways to pay for college include cash savings, grants, federal student loans, and private student loans.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
FAQ
If I was born and live in Hawaii, does that make me a Native Hawaaian?
Not necessarily. A Native Hawaiian is a person who is a descendant of one of the original Polynesian settlers in Hawaii. You can be a Native Hawaiian and not live in Hawaii, or even not have been born there, but you must have indigenous ancestry.
Do you have to live in Hawaii to be eligible for a scholarship?
It depends. Some Native Hawaiian-specific scholarships require the applicant to be a Hawaiian resident, but it’s not always a prerequisite.
How much does it cost to go to school in Hawaii?
The average cost for tuition and fees for a four-year college program is $7,723 for in-state students and $20,995 for out-of-state students. Tuition for private colleges or universities in Hawaii clocks in at $17,121.
Photo credit: iStock/davidf
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