Grants and Scholarships
UH West O‘ahu offers a variety of opportunities to help fund your education. Most scholarships and grants require submitting a FAFSA. We encourage all students to submit their FAFSA regardless of financial circumstances. Grants and scholarships are a form of financial aid that do not have to be repaid, however, both have specific requirements. Some scholarships may be awarded based on merit. This means that students may need a minimum GPA to qualify for a scholarship, whereas grants are need-based and are awarded based on your financial situation. Both grants and scholarships may also have enrollment criteria. Please read below to learn more.
Grants
Grants are a form of aid that do not need to be repaid and eligibility is determined based upon financial need. To be considered for grants, a student must complete their FAFSA. Grant funding is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Complete your FAFSA now!
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to students with exceptional financial need, who are pursuing their first baccalaureate degree and have not met their Pell Lifetime Eligibility Usage (LEU). To be eligible for the federal Pell Grant, the student must be enrolled at least half-time (minimum of 6-credits). In a few cases, less than half-time enrolled recipients may qualify. The award amount is based on the student’s EFC as determined by the U.S. Department of Education and based on congressional funding.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant is awarded to students with exceptional financial need, who are Pell Grant eligible and are enrolled at least half-time (minimum of six credits). Funding is limited and award amounts for this fund will vary.
UH West Oʻahu Opportunity Grant
UH Opportunity Grants are awarded to students with financial need and are intended to protect the access of low-income students to higher education. To be eligible for this fund, the student must demonstrate financial need by completing the FAFSA, be a resident of Hawai‘i and be enrolled at least at half-time (6-credits) as a classified undergraduate student. Funding is limited and award amounts will vary.
Scholarships
Scholarships are usually awarded on the basis of merit, academic performance, and/or financial need. Scholarships are not guaranteed for renewal in subsequent years and may have minimum credit requirements. Scholarships are available to both first-time and transfer students.
Full Tuition
Full tuition scholarships have their own applications and processes. These prestigious scholarships are awarded based on specific requirements.
Regents Scholarships support Hawai’i high school resident students with a record of outstanding academic achievement. Regents Scholars receive a full tuition waiver for four years of undergraduate study, $4,000 a year and a one-time travel grant of $2,000. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is January 15, 2021. Regents Scholarships are awarded to two outstanding freshmen who receive a SAT total score of at least 1340 (test taken after March 2016) or ACT combined score of at least 29, maintain at least a 3.5 GPA in academic subjects in high school, and whose extracurricular achievements are shown to be remarkable.
To apply, complete the documents provided below:
Regents Scholarship Application (PDF)
Letter of Recommendation (PDF)
Personal Statement (PDF)
Presidential Scholarships support students with a record of outstanding academic achievement. Presidential Scholars receive a full tuition waiver for two years of undergraduate study, $4,000 a year and a one-time travel grant of $2,000. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is January 15, 2021. The Presidential Scholarship is awarded to one UH System community college junior who has a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7 for all college-level work, a record of sustained progress in academic courses, and evidence of superior academic achievement or creative endeavor. Presidential Scholarships focus on supporting the transfer of UH System community college students to UH baccalaureate campuses as juniors.
To apply, complete the documents provided below:
Presidential Scholarship Application (PDF)
Letter of Recommendation (PDF)
Personal Statement (PDF)
The Chancellor’s Scholarship is an award that acknowledges academic achievement, leadership and community service. The UH West O’ahu Chancellor’s Scholarship is valued at $7,344 ($3,672/semester) and will be awarded to high-achieving high school graduates who are entering UH West O’ahu for the 2020-2021 academic year. Recipients of the UH West O’ahu Chancellor’s Scholarship will be required to serve as UH West O’ahu Student Representatives. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is January 15, 2021. The Chancellorʻs Scholarship is awarded to Hawaiʻi high school resident graduates with a 3.5 cumulative GPA and evidence of academic achievement, leadership, and community service.
To apply, complete the documents provided below:
Chancellor’s Scholarship Application (PDF)
Native Hawaiian Tuition Scholarship assists in providing to students of Native Hawaiian ancestry with demonstrated financial need, as determined by the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu. The applicant must be a classified student, pursuing their baccalaureate degree at UH West Oʻahu. The applicant must be a resident of Hawaiʻi and be enrolled at least half-time (minimum 6 credits). The applicant must also be in good academic standing with at least a 2.0 GPA or better. Completion of the FAFSA and the financial aid process is required.
The Hoʻoilina Scholarship, a partnership between the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA), Hawai’i Lodging and Tourism Association (HLTA), and University of Hawaiʻi –West Oʻahu Business Administration Division will award two (2), two-year scholarships ($8,000 per year) to Hawaiʻi community college graduates with an associate degree in hospitality, tourism, or culinary studies who enroll at UH West Oʻahu and declare Business Administration-Hospitality & Tourism as their program of study.
To apply, complete the online form:
Hoʻoilina Scholarship Application (Freshmen Cohort)
Hoʻoilina Scholarship Application (Transfer Cohort)
Partial Tuition
Partial tuition scholarships can be completed using the UH System Common Scholarship Application. The deadline to apply for UH System Scholarships is March 2, 2020 at 4 p.m. (HST).
This scholarship is available to students who are from eligible Pacific Island districts, commonwealths, territories, jurisdictions; who have demonstrated financial need as determined by the completion of the FAFSA. This fund is awarded to help offset their tuition costs which is a 150% of the UH West Oʻahu Resident Tuition Rate for the academic year.
This merit scholarship was established to promote graduating from UH West Oʻahu in an expeditious manner. To be considered, the recipient must be a classified, degree-seeking student at UH West O‘ahu who has successfully completed at least 30 credits in the previous academic year and continuing to enroll in at least 30 credits for the current academic year. Students need not submit a separate application, but the FAFSA is required. Awards will be determined by the Financial Aid Office based on fund availability.
This scholarship provides assistance to students pursuing the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program or Hawaiian-Pacific Studies at UH West O‘ahu. The applicant must be a Hawaiʻi resident and have graduated from one of the following high schools: Kapolei, Campbell, Nānākuli, Waipahu or Waiʻanae. In addition, the student must have a 3.0 minimum GPA and be enrolled at least half-time at UH West O‘ahu. The FAFSA is required.
This scholarship was established by the estate of Charles and Jane Hemenway to assist undergraduate students at the University of Hawai‘i. The applicant must be of good character and display qualities indicative of good citizenship while maintaining satisfactory academic progress with at least a 2.0 GPA. The applicant must be a resident of Hawai‘i and be enrolled at a minimum of 6 credits at UH West O‘ahu. The applicant must also complete the FAFSA.
The purpose of this fund is to provide scholarships for tuition costs to assist re-entry students between the ages of approximately 25 – 50; whose collegiate studies have been interrupted by circumstances beyond their control and have experienced a cumulative gap in education of approximately five years. These applicants must be resuming their studies to complete their first baccalaureate degree and enrolled at least part-time. Preference shall be given to newly matriculated students. Applicants must be in good academic standing with at least a 2.0 GPA. Financial need is a consideration.
This scholarship was established to assist students enrolled in any area of study at the University. The applicant must be enrolled at a minimum of 6 credits at UH West Oʻahu and have a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or above. The applicant must demonstrate financial need and the FAFSA is required. Preference shall be given to students intending to pursue a degree in Engineering as well as to those who reside in the West Oʻahu region.
This scholarship was established to recognize applicants of good character, who display qualities indicative of good citizenship and a commitment to serve Hawaiʻi and its people. The applicant must demonstrate financial need by completing the FAFSA. The applicant must also be a resident of Hawaiʻi, be enrolled at full-time (12 or more credits) and have a minimum GPA of 2.75.
The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage and assist students seeking a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences – Early Childhood Education in the hopes that the student will remain in Hawaiʻi to teach. The applicant must be in good academic standing with at least a 2.0 GPA or better, and be enrolled at a minimum of 6 credits at UH West Oʻahu. Financial need will be considered and the FAFSA is required.
The purpose of this fund is to provide scholarships for tuition costs to assist reentry students between the ages of approximately 25 – 50; whose collegiate studies have been interrupted by circumstances beyond their control for approximately five years. These applicants must be resuming their studies to complete their first baccalaureate degree and enrolled at least part-time. Preference shall be given to the applicants that are full-time enrolled. Applicants must be in good academic standing with at least a 2.0 GPA. Financial need is a consideration.
This fund provides scholarship assistance to students who are residents of the Leeward coast of Oʻahu and are pursuing a degree or certificate in any area of study at UH West Oʻahu. The applicant must be a resident of the Leeward coast of Oʻahu. The applicant must be enrolled at a minimum of 6-credits and have a 3.0 minimum GPA or better. The FAFSA is required.
This fund provides scholarships to students attending UH West Oʻahu and majoring in any area of study. The applicant must be enrolled at a minimum of 6 credits and have a 2.50 minimum GPA or better. Preference shall be given to current employees of Pacific Transfer, LLC or PTW, Inc., their spouses or children. Financial need is considered and the FAFSA is required.
The purpose of this fund is to assist students enrolled at the University who have demonstrated volunteerism and/or participation in activities related to the Philippines or the Filipino community. The applicant must be enrolled at full-time (12 or more credits) at UH West Oʻahu and have a cumulative grade point average of a 3.0 or above. The FAFSA is required.
This scholarship was established to promote opportunities and increase access to higher education for students of Native Hawaiian ancestry. The student must be a Hawaiʻi Resident, is in good academic standing and demonstrate financial need as determined by the completion of the FAFSA.
This scholarship recognizes Hawaiʻi high school graduates with demonstrated financial need, who have achieved a final high school GPA of a 3.0 or greater. The student must be a Hawaiʻi resident and a federal Pell Grant Recipient. The recipient may receive this fund for a maximum of four years as long as the student maintains good academic standing at the university.
Recommended Scholarship Websites
External scholarships are funds awarded and managed by an outside entity such as local businesses, professional organizations, financial institutions, foundations, government and state agencies, etc. For more information on available funding, due dates, and scholarship requirements, please click the appropriate link to the scholarship agency below.
