University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide

Funding a college education can be a significant undertaking. Fortunately, numerous nonprofit and private organizations, as well as the University of Hawai'i (UH) System, offer scholarships and financial aid to assist students in achieving their academic goals. These scholarships are awarded based on a variety of criteria, including academic excellence, athletic ability, leadership qualities, the chosen field of study, and financial need. This article provides a detailed overview of the scholarship opportunities available at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UH Mānoa), along with other forms of financial aid.

Scholarship Opportunities at UH Mānoa

UH Mānoa provides a diverse range of scholarship opportunities for incoming and current students. The Office of Admissions and the Financial Aid Services Office are key resources for exploring these options. It is highly recommended to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the February 1 deadline to maximize eligibility for need-based aid.

Merit-Based Scholarships

The Office of Admissions at UH Mānoa offers merit-based scholarships to recognize the academic achievements of admitted students. These include:

Academic Merit Scholarships: These scholarships recognize the academic strengths of admitted students. The Mānoa Academic Merit Scholarship is specifically open to incoming freshman students at UH Mānoa and selection is based on residency, high school academic performance, and GPA.
New Warrior Scholarships: These selective, higher-tier scholarships celebrate the academic strengths and demonstrated community impact of admitted students.
Upper-level Scholarships: These selective scholarships are awarded to students in their upper-level undergraduate years.

Departmental Scholarships

Academic departments within UH Mānoa may also offer scholarship opportunities to students in their respective fields. Students are encouraged to contact their departments directly to inquire about these specific scholarships.

UH System Common Scholarship Application

The University of Hawai'i System offers a Common Scholarship Application, streamlining the application process for numerous scholarships. A significant portion of these scholarships are funded by UH Foundation donors. While UH Mānoa primarily uses STAR for its scholarship applications, the Common Scholarship Application also includes smaller system and campus scholarships.

Read also: Camp Scholarships Guide

Specific Scholarship Programs

UH Mānoa offers a variety of specific scholarship programs, catering to different student profiles and academic interests:

Mānoa International Excellence Scholarship: This scholarship is specifically for international incoming freshman students at UH Mānoa.
ACS-Hach Land Grant Undergraduate Scholarship: Available to full-time students majoring in chemistry.
University of Hawaii Manoa Provost Achievement Scholarship: Open to incoming freshman undergraduate students at UH Mānoa. Scholarships will be awarded by the Office of Admissions to high-achieving Hawaiʻi high school graduates. To be considered, students must meet the priority deadline for fall admission, the scholarship requirements, and be accepted to UH Mānoa. Factors considered include academic scholarship, leadership experience and potential, community service and financial need.
Mānoa Excellence Scholarship: Specifically for incoming freshman students at UH Mānoa who are out-of-state residents.
ARCS Scholarship: Open to PhD astronomy students at the University of Hawaii. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, be enrolled full time, be continuing their studies into the next year, and have a minimum 3.5 GPA to be eligible for this award.
University of Hawaii Manoa Regents Scholarship: Open to incoming freshman undergraduate students at UH Mānoa.
William Pfeiffer Memorial Scholarship: Available to undergraduate and graduate music majors at the University of Hawaii.
Tanada Family Entomology Fund: Available to full-time graduate students at University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.
Student Opportunity Fund in Music: Open to entering undergraduate music majors at the University of Hawaii.
Lahainaluna High School Scholarship: In September 2023, President Lassner announced that the University of Hawaiʻi is offering scholarships to Lahainaluna High School (LHS) Class of 2024 seniors to attend any of UH’s 10 campuses.
Hawaiʻi Promise Scholarship: This is a need-based scholarship program designed to make college affordable to all qualified Hawaiʻi students. The program provides financial assistance to help meet the direct educational costs of University of Hawaiʻi Community College students who are enrolled at least half time in an eligible academic program. The “last dollar” scholarship is based on FAFSA-determined criteria and is applied after all other grants and scholarships have been awarded. It helps fill the financial gap for the direct educational costs of qualified students.
Regents and Presidential Scholarship: The Board of Regents established the Regents and Presidential Scholarships to support Hawaiʻi students with a record of outstanding academic achievement. Regents Scholarships are awarded to 20 outstanding freshmen and Presidential Scholarships are awarded to incoming juniors.

Additional Scholarship Resources

Beyond the specific scholarships mentioned above, UH Mānoa students have access to a vast array of other funding opportunities. The scholarships listed below are only a selection of the more than one thousand scholarships, fellowships, and other awards available to UH students. More information is available from academic advisors, the UH Mānoa Library, Financial Aid Services, or the chairs of departments. These are supported by numerous endowments, including:

John A. William S. James M. Geraldine P. David H. and Doris C. H. Yun T. Vincent K. The James T. Grace K. J. Stephen C. Stryker and William H. Yun T. Jerry H. Dr. Donald D. John F. Daniel W. Y. James M. Robert K. Jagdish P. Samuel H. Amos P. Laurence C. and M. Gregory C. David L. Edward A. Donald C. W. Herbert H. N. H. William B. Dr. Howard K. and Ruth G. Frank B. Robert L. and Brigitte M. Peter and Patricia A. Royal T. and Aurora A. Andrew W. S. and Jennie L. Dorothy M. Arthur R. King, Jr. Harriet K. Dr. Patricia B. Colonel Willys E. Lord and Sandina L. Yuriko K. Margaret T. Frances M. J. and Alexander L. Cornelia F. Esther M. Sato and Jean M. Sakihara Scholarship Endowment IMO Loren I. James I. and Ella M. Harry C. Harry C. Pearl N. and Paul T. Dr. James A. Y. Glen G. Everett E. Horst G. John Y. C. The Dr. Arthur N. L. Chris K. Lorenzo C. Gary I. and Lori S. Mateo L. P. Gary D. Harold J. Ronald N. S. Ho and Ann T. Ronald N. S. Eric N. Frederick M. David C. & May T. George W. T. Eugene F. Charles H. Wesley R. The Roy S. & Florence N. Richard M. Roswell M. Roswell M. George A. L. Christopher S. F. Shigeo and Hatsu Iwamoto and Paul J. William W. Y. W. Dr. Vincent Z. Michael G. E. Harold and Elizabeth St. Charles H. & Margaret B. Dr. Charles H. Jessie D. Richard H. and Mildred D. Richard W. Burnham O. Professors Henry M. K. Dean T. Jonathan Y. E. Herman S. D. Dr. R. M. Pierre L. James H. Couey Jr. F. R. Ralph R. H. W. Spark M. Glenn D. Allene E. F. Carey D. Dr. Edward M. G. James L. James P.D. Kenneth G. and Susan A. Melvin T. Paul W. Robert L. & Brigitte M. Sylvia H. L. Yuen and Harold S. The Drs. Wallace C. Willem G. and Gianna M. Dr. George A. and Annette B. Dorothy M. John A. Kheng See Ang, MD and Lawrence J. Edward L Beckman M. D. E. E. Dr. John A. Benjamin J. Will J. Dr. Shigeru Richard and Mrs. Raymond K. The Glenn M. Patrick T. Lai, M.D. and Carole C. Mathew H. M. Dr. Colin C. McCorriston, MD and Helen D. Dr. David and Lenora M. Allen B. Stanley M. Mansfield M. and Charlotte M. Shinji and Masuko Soneda and Dr. Dr. Ryan and Mrs. Miles K. The Uohara Scholarship at the John A. Bryan W. Kerry T. Frederick C. Allen R. Johnson-Roy C. Charles K.C. R. Agnes C. Dr. Alan S. T. Dr. Allen and Mrs. Claire B. and Mark L. Dr. Dr. & Mrs. Lawrence K. W. Moses M. Lo and Sheila M. D. Agatin T. Dr. Fred M. William T. Denise B. Francis K. C. Foo Sr. & Evelyn S. Bernice C. Sarp M. Harold T. J. AFWA-Lotus Yee Cheigh-K. J. Manuel L. August, Jr. Bishop & Co. Robin K. T. C. Carolyn L. Dennis Y. M. Dr. N. H. Robert L. Dove, Jr. Eddie Flores, Jr. James A. Hau Hee & J. M. Ralph C. Ralph and Joyce Hook, Jr. Ralph S. William R. Johnson, Jr. Daniel B. T. & Evelyn Y. Q. Moses M. Lo and Sheila M. D. Dr. Thomas E. Nichols and Debra S. C. Dudley Pratt, Jr. Manuel R. James P. D. J. J. Patrick T. W. and Carol U. Mark J. C. Yee and Victor A. Mark B. Edwin M. H.I.S. Clinton K. J. Willard and Alice S. William J. SKAL International Hawaiʻi-W. Elena L. H. Kenneth F. C. and Aileen K. Robert F. Oscar and Gaile M. Genevieve T. Daniel S. Richard S. and T. Elaine K. Myron B. Ethel H. Joseph E. Elmer J. Robert M. William S. Simeon R. Jr. and Carolyn C. Bruce C. Sam L. Jackie Mahi & Bruce T. Dr. Lawrence C. The Honorable A.W. Hyman M. and Betty D. James K. Lawrence H. Michael J. Patsy T. Clifford K. Sr., Richard S., and Percy K. Edward H. Amy C. Spirit of Alison K. June C. Francisco D. Edwin T.

Other Forms of Financial Aid

In addition to scholarships, UH Mānoa offers other forms of financial aid, including grants, loans, and work-study programs.

Grants

A grant is a type of federal, state, or institutional financial aid that does not have to be repaid.

Federal Pell Grant: This award to undergraduate students is based solely on financial need as determined by federal methodology. The amount received depends on the degree of need and schedule of awards as determined by the federal government. FAFSA required. Eligibility for the Pell Grant is limited to 12 full-time semesters.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): This award is provided to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need who are also eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. FAFSA required.
TEACH Grant: For undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the College of Education who intend to teach full-time in high need subject areas for at least four years at schools that serve students from low-income families. Students are encouraged to contact a reference librarian at the nearest college for other publications listing grants for students.

Loans

Loans provide students with funds to cover educational expenses, but these funds must be repaid with interest.

Read also: Benefits of NSHSS Scholarships

Federal Direct Loans: These loans are provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Interest accrued may be subsidized by the federal government, depending on the degree of financial need.
State Higher Education Loan: This loan is available to bona fide residents of the state of Hawaiʻi who demonstrate financial need.
Short-Term, Emergency Loans: These institutional loans are designed to meet temporary or emergency financial needs of registered students.
Other Loans: Students may also explore private loan options from various lending institutions.

Federal Work-Study Program

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program enables students to meet part of their financial need through part-time employment. The program is funded by the federal government with matching funds from UH Mānoa. Employment may be on or off campus with nonprofit organizations. Generally, students are provided the work-study program as a part of their financial aid package. The Mānoa Career Center coordinates the work-study program. Job opportunities are available in many fields and require skills ranging from entry-level to highly technical. Community service jobs are also available, including tutoring positions in the America Reads and Math Counts Challenge.

ROTC Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded for up to four years to qualified applicants by the UH Mānoa Army ROTC, Air Force, and Naval (Navy and USMC) ROTC programs. Scholarships cover tuition, books, laboratory fees, and a $300-500 tax-free monthly allowance during the school year.

Graduate Assistantships

UH Mānoa offers assistantships to graduates of accredited institutions of higher learning who have satisfactory scholastic records, an adequate undergraduate background in the major program, and evidence of a high level of English proficiency. Graduate assistants, chosen on a competitive basis, serve as part-time teaching or research assistants. A graduate assistant must be enrolled in a classified master’s or doctoral graduate program. Graduate certificate, PBU (post-baccalaureate unclassified), law, medicine, Shidler College of Business (master’s only) students are not eligible for graduate assistantships. All graduate assistants must be registered for and must complete at least 6 credit hours of degree-related course work each semester, while holding the assistantship. Moreover, they must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA to continue in the position. The maximum course load typically is 9 credit hours. The period of service for each year for teaching assistants is typically from two weeks prior to the beginning of instruction through spring commencement; research assistants normally serve for 11 months. Graduate assistants are awarded tuition exemptions, but they are not exempt from the general fees, special course fees listed in the Catalog, and the Graduate Student Organization fee. Acceptance of an offer of financial aid (such as a graduate scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, or assistantship) for the next academic year by an actual or prospective graduate student completes an agreement that both student and graduate school expect to honor. In those instances in which the student accepts the offer before April 15 and subsequently desires to withdraw, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made. Graduate Division has available general information on fellowship competitions open to American graduate students and administered by outside foundations or agencies. Awards in the first category are generally made by national organizations and allow students to choose their institution of affiliation. Applications are submitted by students to the sponsor, usually in early fall preceding the year graduate study is to begin. Awards in the second category, which vary in source from federal to local, include a large number of programs. At UH Mānoa, nominations for these awards are generally made by the graduate programs that are eligible. In some cases (e.g., Fulbright awards), the student may apply through Graduate Division. Students are urged to exercise their initiative to explore the various possibilities.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

To maintain eligibility for federal, state, and specific institutional aid programs, students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards. These standards apply regardless of whether a student has received financial aid previously. The SAP standards include:

GPA Standard: Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or as required by their specific program of study. Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or as required by their specific program of study.
Pass Rate Standard: Students must pass at least 67% of all credit hours attempted during the academic year at UH Mānoa. Measurement of each student’s pass rate will occur at the completion of each spring semester.
Maximum Credit Hour Standard: Undergraduate students must complete their undergraduate degree with less than 180 attempted credit hours (e.g., 150% above the 120 minimum credits for a baccalaureate degree). Master’s program students must complete their degree within 4-10 semesters based on the minimum number of credits required. Doctoral students must complete their degree within 14 semesters (includes master’s degree credits). Courses that do not count toward a student’s degree cannot be used to determine enrollment status for financial aid purposes.

Verification

If a student is selected for verification, they must submit federal tax transcripts, a verification worksheet, and other forms as required by Financial Aid Services. The offer of aid may include funds from public and private sources, depending on the applicant’s residency, degree of need, date of file completion, major, class level, and availability of funds.

Read also: Scholarship Guide

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarship is a $2,000-$4,000 scholarship per year for four years of undergraduate study for first-time degree-seeking students. Students must have a 3.0 GPA upon the time of application to UH Mānoa.
Sixteen scholarships for full tuition plus $4,000 per year are awarded to incoming freshman students who are residents of Hawaiʻi with a minimum GPA of 3.7 or better. This scholarship is renewable for up to four years upon maintenance of eligibility and includes a one-time academic travel grant of up to $2,000.
Scholarships awarded to incoming freshman students who are residents of Hawaiʻi with a minimum overall GPA of 3.7 (4.0 scale). Evidence of superior academic achievement or creative endeavor and record of academic, co-curricular, and community service activities.
In-State Tuition awarded to high achieving incoming nonresident/international freshman students. These awards are renewable up to 8 consecutive semesters. Students must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA.
Scholarships awarded to incoming transfer students for two years.
Seven scholarships for full tuition plus $4,000 per year awarded to juniors who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7, have demonstrated sustained academic progress, show superior academic achievement or creative endeavor, and are residents of Hawaiʻi. This scholarship is renewable for one year upon maintenance of eligibility and includes a one-time academic travel grant of up to $2,000.
Scholarships available to UH Mānoa students administered by differing departments and colleges.

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