Exclusive Scholarships for Hawaii Students in 2024

Hawaii students and student debt

Hawaii is known for its breathtaking natural landscape, so it's no wonder many people choose to live and attend school in such a beautiful state. However, Hawaii's status as the most expensive state to live in can create a challenge for students.

This high cost of living has only compounded the financial strain of rising tuition prices faced by college students across the United States. It's important for Hawaiian residents to find the right financial assistance to ensure their access to higher education.

Educational outlook in Hawaii

Attending college is an important step to take when building your future. In Hawaii, 62.6% of residents aged 25 and over have attended at least some college, and bachelor's degree holders have an unemployment rate of 2.9%. Bachelor's degree holders also make an average of $46,796. Those with only a high school education in Hawaii have an unemployment rate of 8.4% and an average yearly salary of $30,613. When you compare the two groups, it's clear that going to college can be an extremely valuable undertaking.

Hawaii colleges

There are 17 colleges in Hawaii. The majority of schools are public colleges and universities in the University of Hawaii System. There are 10 schools in the UH system. 6 of these schools are community colleges while the other 4 are universities. The University of Hawaii at Mānoa is the most notable public university in Hawaii. UH Mānoa is also one of the most expensive options with in-state students expected to pay $25,252.

There are 7 private colleges in Hawaii. Brigham Young University - Hawaii, Chaminade University, and Hawaii Pacific University are the most well-known private universities in Hawaii. Hawaii Pacific University is the most expensive post-secondary school in the state with a yearly cost of attendance that equals $48,560.

Hawaii college students

With a population of only 1.4 million, Hawaii has a surprisingly large student body. There are 59,954 students college students in Hawaii. Of this total, 53,533 are undergraduates and 6,421 are graduate students. The student population is 62.29% female with 22,609 male and 37,345 female students.

The Hawaiian student population is very diverse. There are 9,350 White students, 949 Black students, 17,415 Asian students, and 7,596 Hispanic students.

Student debt in Hawaii

The costs associated with attending college can feel restrictive. Students who demonstrate financial need will often get financial aid from their university. In 2020 the UH System awarded a total of $113,563,553 in financial assistance and provided 31,414 students with financial aid, but this is still not enough. College in Hawaii costs 3.89% more than the national average cost of attendance at a public 4-year institution.

Many students turn to student loans and take on massive amounts of debt to afford this high price. In Hawaii, 45% of college graduates have student debt. The average dollar amount of this debt is $24,926 per student.

Financial aid from your university doesn't always cut it. Students looking for support in pursuing their college education can find numerous scholarships available to them. On Bold.org, students can find new scholarships added each day to help them afford post-secondary education.

The best scholarships for Hawaii students

In this listing below, Hawaiian students can find several scholarships they are eligible for. Though Bold.org's current listing does not have any specific scholarship opportunities only for Hawaiian residents, students should still apply to the following scholarships to maximize their financial aid. By utilizing scholarship programs like Bold.org, qualified students can secure funds for all four years of their college education.

Additional scholarships that students in Hawaii should consider

Funding your education does not have to be stressful. Hawaii students with financial need can find a comprehensive list of scholarships available and easy to apply to below.

• Joseph J. Canfora Hospitality Scholarship
• Janey Mae Memorial Scholarship
• Tyde Memorial Scholarship
• Filipino-American Scholarship
• Ducere Global Business School Scholarship
• HSINTELLIGENCE Minority / Indigenous Nurse Leader Scholarship
• National Healthcare Heroes Grant for Nurses
• Network After Work No-Essay Grant
• Asian American / Pacific Islander Scholarship
• Advancing Social Justice for Asians Scholarship
• AptAmigo Innovation Scholarship
• Destinie’s Dollars for Degrees Scholarship
• Environmental Impact Scholarship
• WiseGeek Nurse Appreciation No-Essay Scholarship

Scholarships for high school students in Hawaii

High school students interested in getting a head start on financing their higher education can find many scholarships on Bold.org. Most scholarships are geared towards graduating high school seniors, but there are still many opportunities for high school students in lower grades as well.

• Janey Mae Memorial Scholarship
• Environmental Impact Scholarship

Scholarships for current college students in Hawaii

Hawaii students already enrolled in an undergraduate program can find many scholarships available to them. Some scholarships might have more niche requirements, but there are many general scholarships out there as well that are perfect for undergraduate students.

• Destinie’s Dollars for Degrees Scholarship
• Tyde Memorial Scholarship

Scholarships for nursing students in Hawaii

Health science fields are especially popular today. Students interested in a specific program like nursing can find many exclusive scholarships on Bold.org.

• HSINTELLIGENCE Minority / Indigenous Nurse Leader Scholarship
• National Healthcare Heroes Grant for Nurses
• WiseGeek Nurse Appreciation No-Essay Scholarship

Scholarships for business students in Hawaii

Given the booming tourism industry in Hawaii, many students study hospitality and business. Students in programs like hotel management are eligible applicants for the scholarships below.

• Joseph J. Canfora Hospitality Scholarship
• AptAmigo Innovation Scholarship

Scholarships for graduate students in Hawaii

Students who have already finished their four-year college degree and wish to attend graduate school have many scholarships available to them. 

• Ducere Global Business School Scholarship
• Network After Work No-Essay Grant
• Advancing Social Justice for Asians Scholarship

Scholarships for Filipino students in Hawaii

There are many scholarships that promote access to higher education for traditionally underrepresented groups. There are many scholarship funds specifically for Filipino students.

• Filipino-American Scholarship
• Asian American / Pacific Islander Scholarship

Frequently asked questions about scholarships in Hawaii

How to apply for scholarships in Hawaii?

The best way to apply for Hawaii scholarships is to create a free Bold.org account. Once you fill out all of your personal information and create your account, you can then begin searching for scholarships.

There are hundreds of scholarships on Bold.org and new scholarships are added each day. Begin the scholarship search by clicking on a scholarship that interests you and reading through the description. Once you determine you meet all the qualifications and are an eligible applicant, you can start the application process.

Applying for scholarships is easy. Certain scholarships might ask for applicants to submit essays or to prove their community service commitments, but there are many no-essay scholarships that only thing the scholarship application asks of you is to click "apply." The selection process for each scholarship fund is different, so it's best to apply to as many as possible to improve your chances of being awarded.

Hawaii students can find many different scholarship opportunities available to them on Bold.org. Though there might not be specific Hawaii scholarships at the moment, Bold's catalog is updated often with new opportunities. A scholarship program like Bold.org provides students in Hawaii with the ability to seek financial aid outside of their university's offerings.

Who is eligible for scholarships in Hawaii?

In order to determine your eligibility for a scholarship program, you have to make sure to clearly read over the instructions. Many scholarships are location-based—like Hawaii scholarships exclusively for students in Hawaii—or only open to people in specific majors—like scholarships exclusively for someone who is a math major.

Anyone from high school seniors and other high school students to graduate students and beyond can apply for scholarships. As long as you meet the individual scholarship's selection criteria that are detailed in the information section, then you can apply. When pursuing higher education, there is no doubt that you can easily find a scholarship to cover some of your tuition.

Do I have to have a good GPA to apply for scholarships?

While some scholarships have a minimum GPA requirement, there are many scholarships that have awards based on things other than academics. Some scholarships might award students based on their artistic skill or another non-academic qualification. Having a good GPA can be helpful when applying for scholarships, but it isn't necessary to fund your educational expenses. There are hundreds of scholarships that do not use an applicant's GPA at all in their awards process.

When can I start applying?

Students should begin scholarship applications as soon as possible. You do not have to wait until you're accepted into a university to find a scholarship to support your education. High school students can begin the scholarship application process in order to maximize their award potential.

If you haven't started applying for scholarships yet, it's ok. There is no specific deadline every single scholarship follows. Many scholarships are awarded throughout the year, so it is never too late to apply.

How can I use a scholarship?

When you win a scholarship, the money will be sent directly to the financial aid office at your school and applied to your educational costs, such as tuition or books. If you win a scholarship while in high school, the money will be held for you until you enroll in a college.

Some scholarships are also open to recent graduates who have student debt. If you win one of these scholarships, you'll sign a grant agreement, and then the award money will be sent directly to you to use for your lenders.