This is a quick list of various funding sources for Early Childhood Education students. Use the links provided to search for the application description and instructions to determine whether or not you qualify. If you do not qualify, move on to the next one. If you do meet all the criteria, then apply!
鶹ýSystem & Campus Specific Sources
Below are some scholarships previous Early Childhood Education students across the 鶹ýsystem have received. Use this list as a beginning step toward your search; you will not qualify for everything on this list. This list is by no means exhaustive and doing your own search using keywords unique to your demographic and life situation can yield additional funding sources for you.
Take a look at some strategies to Find Other Funding Sources Within UH to maximize the funding you receive.
| Name of Funding Source | Basic Criteria | Application Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Henry and Dorothy Castle Memorial ECE Scholarship ***NOTE: The 鶹ýFoundation scholarship search will direct you to apply using the 鶹ýSystem Common Application. This is incorrect! Follow the link in the far right column to apply for this scholarship.*** | Any undergraduate student in the 鶹ýsystem studying Early Childhood Education | Application opens around April Deadline: July 25, 2026* *Additional applications accepted if funds are available. For more information email: ece@hawaii.edu |
| Mary Tenney Castle Memorial Graduate Fellowship ***NOTE: The 鶹ýFoundation scholarship search will direct you to apply using the 鶹ýSystem Common Application. This is incorrect! Follow the link in the far right column to apply for this fellowship.*** | Any graduate student in the 鶹ýsystem studying Early Childhood Education | Application opens around April Deadline: July 25, 2026* *Additional applications accepted if funds are available. For more information email: ece@hawaii.edu |
| Thomas K. Kaulukukui, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Endowment | Any student in the 鶹ýsystem; must be a resident of Hawaiʻi and graduate of a local high school | 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application |
| Claire and Kuhio Asam Endowed Scholarship | Any 鶹ýCommunity College student studying Early Childhood Education; preference given to students of Native Hawaiian ancestry | 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application |
| Anna S. Sloggett Scholarship | Kauaʻi Community College students studying Early Childhood Education | 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application |
| Danford Friend Endowed Scholarship | Kauaʻi Community College students studying various fields including education | 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application |
| Deja Vu Surf Hawaii Endowed Scholarship | Kauaʻi Community College students pursuing a degree or certificate in Early Childhood Education | 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application |
| Richard Kawakami Endowed Fund | Kauaʻi Community College students who graduated from high school on Kauaʻi or Niʻihau | 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application |
| Charlotte Wong Scholarship Fund for Public Service | Honolulu Community College students pursuing an associates degree in public service (e.g., Human Services, Early Childhood Education, Administration of Justice, Fire and Environmental Emergency Response, and Liberal Arts) | 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application |
| Hannah Lou Bennett Memorial Scholarship | Honolulu Community College students studying Early Childhood Education | 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application |
| Loui “Tools of the Trade” Scholarship | Honolulu Community College students in technical and trades programs at Honolulu CC (ECE is a trade program) | 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application |
| Maui Oil Company – Mary Jane and Alex McBarnett Sr. | 鶹ýMaui College students; preference given to single parents | 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application |
| Theodora Girlie Laureta Scholarship Fund | 鶹ýMaui College students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program | 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application |
| Hawaii Educational Opportunity Fund | 鶹ýHilo students | 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application |
| Daniel and Lydia Makuakane Endowed Scholarship | 鶹ýHilo Ka Haka ‘Ula o Ke‘elikolani College of Hawaiian Language students | 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application |
| Kai Noa Scholarship Fund | 鶹ýHilo Ka Haka ‘Ula o Ke‘elikolani College of Hawaiian Language students | 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application |
| Lawrence Silva Memorial Excellence Scholarship | 鶹ýHilo Ka Haka ‘Ula o Ke‘elikolani College of Hawaiian Language students | 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application |
| Chandler Scholarship in Social Sciences | 鶹ýWest Oʻahu students in Social Sciences programs, including Early Childhood Education | 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the 鶹ýSystem Common Scholarship Application |
| Elaine M. Takenaka Endowed Scholarship | 鶹ýMānoa College of Education (COE) undergraduate students enrolled in the early childhood or elementary education program; must be a resident of Hawaiʻi and graduate of a local high school | 鶹ýMānoa |
| Howard K. and Ruth G. Benham Endowment | 鶹ýMānoa College of Education (COE) students focuses on youth sports and fitness, Health and Physical Education, Teacher Education or Early Childhood Education; preference given to students of Native Hawaiian ancestry | 鶹ýMānoa |
| Linda E. Putnam Memorial Scholarship Endowment | 鶹ýMānoa students committed to a career in Early Childhood Education, Family Strengthening, and/or increasing opportunities for women; demonstrate some financial need | |
| Scholarship in Early Childhood Education | 鶹ýMānoa College of Education (COE) full-time students specializing in Early Childhood Education | 鶹ýMānoa |
| Stanley and Agnes Ing Family Scholarship | 鶹ýMānoa College of Education (COE) undergraduate and masters students majoring in education; preference given to preschool or elementary majors. | 鶹ýMānoa |
| Stephanie Feeney Scholarship in Early Childhood Education | 鶹ýMānoa College of Education (COE) graduate students specializing in the field of Early Childhood Education (MEd in ECE); demonstrate some financial need | 鶹ýMānoa |
External (non-UH) Sources
Below are some scholarships specifically designed for Early Childhood Education students and those pursuing credentials to work in the field of ECE.
Take a look at some strategies to Find External Funding Sources (outside UH) to maximize the funding you can receive.
| Name of Funding Source | Basic Criteria | Application Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaiʻi Early Childhood Educator Stipend*** State of Hawaiʻi stipend for Early Childhood Educators ***NOTE to 鶹ýstudents: Any stipend received for tuition and fees will be considered as part of your financial aid eligibility. Any outside funding a student receives that pays for any portion of the student’s cost of attendance must be considered when determining eligibility for financial aid. This stipend is considered “outside funding.” | For students enrolled in ECE courses and/or ECE generalist degree program at any of the 鶹ýsystem schools (UHM, UHWO, UHHilo Hawaiian Immersion, HawaiiCC, 鶹ýMaui College, HonoluluCC, Kauai CC) Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in coursework. Must work in an ECE program in Hawaiʻi serving children within the 0-5 year old range for two years after graduation, or may need to pay back stipend. | Visit the for more information. Apply here: Deadlines: Fall tuition – July 15 Spring tuition – December 1 Summer tuition – April 15 |
| PATCH Tuition Reimbursement Scholarships Scholarship for Early Childhood Educators based in Hawaiʻi | For students who paid tuition for approved ECE coursework and/or membership fees that are required to obtain ECE credentials. Priority given to currently employed DHS licensed Child Care employees or operating a registered family child care home. Applicants must live in Hawaii. Learn more at . | Visit the to download the application and for more instructions on how to apply. Deadlines: January 15 May 31 August 31 |
| Myron & Laura Thompson Scholarship (Pauahi Foundation Scholarship) | For students pursuing a degree in early childhood education; demonstrate an interest in working with Hawaiian children in Hawaiʻi. | Follow application instructions at: (You will have to create an account and follow all prompts before selecting this specific scholarship.) Opens: typically in October Deadline: typically in December |
| Allen A. Bailey Scholarship (Pauahi Foundation Scholarship) | For graduate students with a major in preschool education. | Follow application instructions at: (You will have to create an account and follow all prompts before selecting this specific scholarship.) Opens: typically in October Deadline: typically in December |
| Nick Van Pernis Scholarship Fund (Hawaiʻi Community Foundation Scholarship) | For students from the west side of the island of Hawai’i studying Marine Science, Biotechnology, Health Sciences or Early Childhood Education. | Follow application instructions at: (You will have to create an account and complete the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation common application before selecting the Nick Van Pernis Scholarship Fund) Opens: November Deadline: February 15 NOTE: A FAFSA Student Aid Report is required for this application. |
Tips for Successful Scholarship Applications
Many of the funding sources above will require you to write essays to demonstrate that you meet the criteria for their scholarship. Believe it or not, funders pay very close attention to what you write to determine whether or not they will award you. Follow the tips at the link below to maximize your success!