Quick Links
Apply to UH
Start or continue your University of Hawaiʻi application.
鶹ýFinancial Aid
Review 鶹ýfinancial aid and scholarship information.
STAR
Access 鶹ýstudent planning, advising, registration, and related tools.
Hawaiʻi Community Foundation
Search and apply for many Hawaiʻi-based scholarship funds.
FAFSA
Apply for federal student aid and campus-based need-related awards.
College Checklist
- Apply to your desired 鶹ýcampus.
- Review admissions requirements for your campus and program.
- Submit your application by the campus deadline.
- Apply for financial aid and scholarships.
- If accepted, meet with an academic advisor or counselor.
- Explore campus academic resources, support programs, and student services.
Helpful admissions and enrollment links
Scholarship Timeline
The timeline below is designed to help students stay competitive for annual scholarship cycles. Some scholarships are year-round, so it is always worth checking available opportunities no matter what time of year it is.
| Time of Year | Suggested Actions |
|---|---|
| Fall | Start your scholarship search. Draft or update your personal statement and resume. Review campus admissions and financial aid requirements. |
| Holiday Break | Build a scholarship folder or portfolio. Organize tax documents, transcripts, FAFSA information, and a list of scholarships you plan to apply for. |
| January | Begin or continue applications. Ask for letters of recommendation early and track each scholarship deadline. |
| February | Complete the FAFSA if you have not already done so. Submit recommendation requests, essays, transcripts, and scholarship applications due in late winter. |
| March | Submit spring-due scholarship materials and double-check any campus-specific requirements. |
| Summer | Many scholarship decisions are announced during late spring and summer. Watch your email carefully and respond quickly if additional documents are requested. |
Current note: FAFSA and major scholarship application dates can shift by cycle. Check each official website every year before relying on an older timeline.
Financial Aid Basics
FAFSA
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is used to determine eligibility for federal grants, loans, work-study, and many campus-based need-related awards.
Students should complete the FAFSA as early as practical for the appropriate aid year. Some scholarships and grants also rely on FAFSA information.
鶹ýFinancial Aid and Cost Information
鶹ýprovides campus-by-campus cost, tuition, and financial aid information through the 鶹ýcost and aid pages.
One Application for Many Scholarships
鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application
The 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application allows students to apply for many 鶹ýsystem and campus scholarships through one application.
Incoming and continuing students may apply, but applicants must have a 鶹ýstudent ID and login to access the application.
Students are automatically matched to scholarships for which they may be eligible based on the information provided.
STAR and 鶹ýMānoa Scholarship Tools
STAR is used across 鶹ýfor advising, registration, and related student tools. 鶹ýMānoa students may also encounter scholarship opportunities tied to STAR-based processes or campus and college-level pages that direct students into STAR.
Featured Scholarship Resources
These scholarship resources may be useful for students across the 鶹ýsystem.
| Scholarship Resource | What It Offers | Official Link |
|---|---|---|
| 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship | One application for many 鶹ýsystem and campus scholarships. | 鶹ýScholarship Opportunities |
| Hawaiʻi Community Foundation | A common application for many Hawaiʻi-based scholarship funds, each with its own criteria. | |
| 鶹ýFoundation Scholarship Search | Searchable scholarship listings connected to 鶹ýFoundation-supported opportunities. | |
| Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards | Education awards for women who are the primary financial support for themselves and their dependents. | |
| Pauahi Foundation | Multiple scholarship opportunities, with preference for applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. | |
| AAUW Hawaiʻi Branch Scholarships and Grants | Branch-level scholarships and grants across Hawaiʻi, including Honolulu, Maui, Windward, Kona, and Hilo-related links. |
Scholarship Spotlight
Hawaiʻi Community Foundation
HCF uses a common scholarship application to connect students to many donor-funded scholarships. Each fund has its own eligibility rules, such as residency, academic focus, financial need, school type, or community background.
HCF publishes a scholarship timeline and FAQ page each cycle, including recommendation deadlines.
Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards
This program supports women who provide the primary financial support for themselves and their dependents and who are enrolled in or accepted to an undergraduate degree or vocational skills training program.
Applicants generally apply between August 1 and November 15 each year.
Pauahi Foundation Scholarships
Pauahi Foundation administers multiple donor-created scholarships for undergraduate, graduate, trade, vocational, and other educational pathways.
Scholarship offerings vary, and students are encouraged to review the current scholarship listing carefully each cycle.
鶹ýCommunity Colleges: Hawaiʻi Promise
Hawaiʻi Promise is a need-based scholarship for eligible students attending the seven 鶹ýCommunity Colleges. It helps cover direct education costs such as tuition, books, and fees after other gift aid is applied.
What You May Need for Applications
Common Materials
- FAFSA confirmation or Student Aid information, if requested
- Personal statement or scholarship essay
- Resume or activity list
- Letters of recommendation
- Official or unofficial transcripts, depending on the scholarship
- Community service, leadership, or campus involvement details
- Campus-specific questions or essays
Tips for Letters of Recommendation
Ask early. Give your recommender enough time, ideally several weeks, and share your resume, draft personal statement, and scholarship details so they can write a stronger letter.
It is helpful to keep a list of several possible recommenders, especially if you plan to apply to multiple scholarships.
Tips for a Strong Scholarship Search
- Start early, even if major deadlines seem far away.
- Apply for both large and small scholarships.
- Reuse and revise essays instead of starting from scratch every time.
- Keep a folder with transcripts, FAFSA information, essays, and recommendation contacts.
- Check scholarship pages every year, because dates and requirements may change.
- Apply annually when a scholarship program allows it.
Need More Help?
Contact your campus financial aid office, academic advisor, or Bridge to Hope campus contact if you are not sure where to begin.
Disclaimer
This page is intended to provide general information for students across the University of Hawaiʻi system. Scholarship requirements, deadlines, portals, and award amounts can change from year to year. Always verify details on the official scholarship website before applying.
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Derek Galanto
2600 Campus Road | Honolulu, HI 96822 | QLCSS 211
(808) 956-9313 | bth@hawaii.edu
Last Modified: July 2026