Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP)
Effective with the Fall 2021 semester, UH Hilo is participating in The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP). The WRGP is coordinated by the Western Interstate Commission of Higher Education (WICHE) and provides a tuition rate of 150% of resident graduate tuition for residents of qualified WRGP/WICHE states and who are admitted to a participating UH Hilo graduate program.
On this page:
Application and Deadlines
WRGP application submission deadlines are as follows for the corresponding start term
- Fall: June 1st
- Summer: April 15th
A scanned copy of a government issued ID from your state of residency is required to be submitted with your application. Please submit applications via email to: hilograd@hawaii.edu.
Qualified States and Territories
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
- Guam
- Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI)
- Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
- Republic of Palau
- American Samoa
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
Approved Programs
- Counseling Psychology, M.A.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice, D.N.P.
- Education, M.Ed.
- Hawaiian and Indigenous Language and Culture Revitalization, Ph.D.
- Hawaiian Language and Literature, M.A.
- Heritage Management, M.A.
- Indigenous Language and Culture Education, M.A.
- Kahuawaiola Indigenous Teacher Education Certificate
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ph.D.
- Teaching, M.A.
- Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science (TCBES), M.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is WRGP/WICHE?
- The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) is a program that is coordinated by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) that allows master’s, graduate certificate, and doctoral students who are residents of WICHE member states to enroll in 900+ graduate programs at 60 public institutions outside of their home state and pay 150% of resident tuition at UH Hilo.
- When do I apply for WRGP?
- Once you have been accepted to a graduate program at UH Hilo, you may submit your WRGP application form. The form should be submitted with supporting documentation via email to hilograd@hawaii.edu. Please see above for deadlines.
- Do I need to re-apply for WRGP every semester?
- No, once you have been approved, you will remain approved for WRGP throughout your graduate program.
- What happens if I miss the deadline?
- Applications received after the posted deadline will be considered for the future term. Please contact the Graduate Division if you have any questions.
- Can I convert from WRGP to Hawaiʻi Resident status?
- No, because the WRGP tuition rate is approved on the basis of your residency in a state listed above, the process of establishing Hawaiʻi residency for tuition purposes cannot happen until after terminating participation in WRGP for a period of one year and meeting other necessary requirements to be eligible for Hawaiʻi resident tuition status. More information on establishing Hawaiʻi residency for tuition purposes.
- If I am already a Hawaiʻi Resident do I need to apply for WRGP?
- No, if you are already classified as a Hawaii Resident for tuition purposes (listed in your acceptance letter) you do not need to apply for WRGP.