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VNR: New �鶹��ýscholarship helps community college students continue to 4-year campuses

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The University of Hawaiʻi has launched the Next Step Scholarship to encourage �鶹��ýCommunity College students who earned an associate degree during the 2025–26 academic year—or completed enough credits in an eligible pathway or major—to continue their education at one of the university’s four-year campuses. Eligible students from one of UH’s seven community colleges are already automatically accepted to a �鶹��ýfour-year school through a streamlined process that waives the application fee and eliminates the need to submit a new application.

Now, through the Next Step Scholarship, students enrolled full time (12 or more credits) during the fall 2026 semester at �鶹��ýHilo, �鶹��ýMānoa, �鶹��ýMaui College or �鶹��ýWest Oʻahu will receive a $2,000 scholarship, while part-time students enrolled in 6 to 11 credits will receive $1,000.

“Transitioning to a four-year university is a significant milestone, and we are committed to making that next step as seamless and affordable as possible,” said �鶹��ýPresident Wendy Hensel. “These students have already demonstrated their commitment and academic readiness through their success at our community colleges. The Next Step Scholarship helps ensure finances do not stand in the way of completing their degrees and achieving their goals.”

Encouragement to continue education

All �鶹��ýassociate degree graduates who qualified for automatic admission were emailed information about the new scholarship on May 15. The scholarship has been automatically awarded to 438 students who had already begun the transfer process, while another 1,156 students are eligible.

“For students who were automatically admitted but have not yet committed to a �鶹��ýfour-year campus, we hope this scholarship provides an added incentive to continue their education,” said Hensel. “This scholarship is one example of the new strategies we are testing to expand access, increase enrollment, strengthen educational attainment and help build the workforce our state needs. It is good for our students and good for Hawaiʻi.”

All students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), if they have not already done so. While FAFSA is not required to receive the Next Step Scholarship, it can unlock additional federal, state and institutional financial aid that may be combined with the scholarship.

Students with questions about their automatic admission or the enrollment process are encouraged to contact the admissions office at their chosen �鶹��ýfour-year campus.

 B-ROLL 1:37 scenes from various �鶹��ý4 year campuses

SOUNDBITES:

Wendy Hensel, �鶹��ýPresident (5 seconds)

“The goal is just to make it as seamless as it possibly can be so that you can continue your education.”

Hensel (11 seconds)

“The centerpiece of everything we do is removing barriers and increasing access for higher education, whether it be a few credits, a certificate, non-credit, technical degree, all the way up to a PhD.”

Hensel (14 seconds)
“Well, when you stop out between your associate's degree and your bachelor's degree, there's a high likelihood you're not going to come back, and we need this talent for workforce development and to continue to push the envelope of research and development across the state.”