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 (Fall and Spring semesters), $4,000 a year and a one-time travel grant of $2,000. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is January 15, 2024. 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 (Fall and Spring semesters), $4,000 a year and a one-time travel grant of $2,000. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is January 15, 2024. 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.
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 will be a four year full tuition waiver (Fall and Spring semesters) and will be awarded to high-achieving high school graduates who are entering UH West O’ahu for the 2024-2025 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, 2024. 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 new students of Native Hawaiian ancestry with demonstrated financial need, as determined by the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu. The applicant must be a new 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. This is a one-time, first-year only award and is not renewed as a continuing student. Other awards may be considered with good standing based on availability.
Partial Tuition
There is not a separate scholarship application process for partial tuition scholarships, however, a FAFSA is required as well as meeting the minimum scholarship criteria. Scholarships are not guaranteed for renewal in subsequent years and may have additional requirements.
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 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 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 be enrolled full time (12 or more credits). The recipient may receive this fund for a maximum of four years as long as the student maintains good academic standing at the university.
This scholarship recognizes UH West Oʻahu GEAR UP Class of 2023 high school graduates from Nanakuli High and Intermediate School and Waianae High School with demonstrated financial need, who have achieved a final high school GPA of a 2.0 or higher. The student must be a Hawaiʻi resident and be enrolled full (12 or more credits) or part time (minimum or 6 credits) in Fall 2023 semester. The applicant must be a new classified student, pursuing a certificate or baccalaureate degree. All students are highly encouraged to apply for FAFSA.
Deadline to Apply: April 14, 2023.
UH System Common Scholarship
Partial tuition scholarships can be completed using the UH System Common Scholarship Application. A large portion of the scholarships available through this application are funded by UH Foundation donors. However, there are other small system and campus scholarships that utilize this application. Students are encouraged to apply annually. The deadline to apply for UH System Scholarships is March 1, 2023 at 4 p.m. (HST).
External Scholarship Opportunities
This information is provided as a resource for students and their families. The links and information provided to the external scholarship organizations, websites, and/or search engines do not constitute an endorsement of the organization, their site’s sponsors, and/or their products. The University of Hawai’i – West O’ahu is not responsible for the maintenance of these links, the material on the websites, or the external scholarship submission, review, or award process. Please notify the Financial Aid Office if you will be receiving any external scholarships.
- Fukunaga Scholarship Foundation
Scholarships for Hawaii residents interested in pursuing Business. - Hawai’i Community Foundation
Numerous scholarships for residents of Hawai’i who demonstrate financial need. - Hawai’i Education Association
Scholarships for HEA members and their dependents - Hawai’i Government Employees Association (HGEA)
Scholarships available to HGEA members and their dependents. - Hawai’i USA Federal Credit Union
Scholarships for Hawaii USA FCU members. - Kamehameha Schools Scholarship
Undergraduate and graduate student scholarships for those who demonstrate financial need. - Palama Settlement Scholarships
Scholarships for students that live in the Kalihi-Palama area.
- AANAPISI Scholarship
Scholarships for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students attending AANAPISI institutions. - AFSCME
Scholarships for children or grandchildren of AFSCME members. - Ameri Corps
Education awards for those who have served and are Americorp members. - APIA Scholars
Scholarships for Asian and Pacific Islanders. - Burger King Scholars
4000 scholarships for students in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and Canada. - Citizens Scholarship
High school seniors and undergraduate students and their parents. - Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
Achievement-based scholarship for graduating high school seniors. - Completing the Dream Scholarship Program
Sallie Mae scholarships for students with financial need and/or in an emergency situation that leads to a financial aid crisis. - Discover Student Loans Scholarship
Simple entry requirements and random selection of awardees. - Equitable Excellence Scholarship
100 renewable scholarships for students in the U.S., Puerto Rico and District of Columbia - Kaiser Permanente Health Equity Scholarship
Scholarships for students interested in pursuing clinical or non-clinical career in healthcare industry. - SMART Scholarship
Department of Defense scholarships for STEM students. - UNCF/Gates Millennium Scholars
National private scholarships for minority group members with financial need.
Returning Adult Scholarships
The Crankstart Foundation Reentry Scholarship Program is intended to support scholarships to non-traditional, low-income and underserved students. Crankstart Foundation Reentry Scholars may be awarded up to $5000 to be applied to costs of attendance included but not limited to tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation and personal expenses.
Eligibility Requirements
- A Cumulative gap in education of five or more years
- Pursuing first baccalaureate degree as an undergraduate
- Anticipate workforce participation for a significant period of time subsequent to graduation
- Ideally between the ages of 25-50
- Demonstrate financial need, socio-economic status, challenges and/or hardships
- Demonstrate Academic qualifications, achievements and a promise and commitment to obtaining a degree
- Full or part-time student
- Complete FAFSA
- Enrolled in on-campus classes (not online)
- A U.S citizen, permanent resident, or Compact of Free Association with Hawai’i Residency
Apply for the Crankstart Foundation ReEntry Scholarship.
The Osher Reentry Scholarship Endowment was launched in 2005 and is intended to address the unique challenges faced by nontraditional students who often balance considerable work and family obligations while attending school. Osher Reentry Scholars may be awarded a scholarship of up to $5000 to be applied to student tuition fees exclusively.
Eligibility Requirements
- A Cumulative gap in education of five or more years
- Pursuing first baccalaureate degree as an undergraduate
- Anticipate workforce participation for a significant period of time subsequent to graduation
- Ideally between the ages of 25-50
- Demonstrate financial need, socio-economic status, challenges and/or hardships
- Demonstrate Academic qualifications, achievements and a promise and commitment to obtaining a degree
- Full or part-time student
- Complete FAFSA
- Preference will be given to students enrolled in on-campus classes (not online)
- A U.S citizen, permanent resident, or Compact of Free Association with Hawai’i Residency
Apply for the Osher Reentry Scholarship.