Grants and Scholarships
UH Hilo 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 may 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. Most Federal, State and Institutional aid require at least half-time enrollment status at UH Hilo. Please read below to learn more.
If you are receiving an outside scholarship, you are required to notify the Financial Aid Office. Scholarships will first be used to reduce any unmet need and/or any need-based work/loans in the financial aid offer. If necessary, grant aid may also need to be adjusted.
On this page:
Federal Programs
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is usually awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree. The maximum amounts are determined by the U.S. Department of Education.
Federal Pell Grant is awarded based on a student's Student Aid Index (SAI) and Enrollment Intensity. A student's scheduled Pell Grant award is multiplied by the student's enrollment intensity percentage to determine the Annual Pell Grant Award.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. The grant is awarded to students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and display exceptional financial need. Depending on the availability of funds and a student’s demonstrated need, the maximum aid offer is $2,000 per academic year.
State and Institutional Programs
Hawaiʻi B Plus State Scholarship Program
The Hawaiʻi B Plus State Scholarship is available to graduating seniors from a public Hawaiʻi high school who have at least a 3.0 high school grade point average, have completed a rigorous high school curriculum, demonstrate financial need and are a bona fide Hawaiʻi resident. Students must also be enrolled full-time to be eligible.
Need-Based Opportunity Grant
Need-Based Opportunity Grants are available to bona fide Hawaii Residents, Non-Residents, and WUE students (special/non-resident exemptions do not qualify). Students must demonstrate financial need and enroll at least half-time to be considered.
Pacific Islander Scholarship
Pacific Islander Scholarships are available to students with a residency status of "Pacific Islander Non-Resident Exempt". This scholarship is available to classified students enrolled in either an undergraduate, graduate or professional degree program. Students must demonstrate financial need and enroll at least half-time to be considered.
Western Undergraduate Exchange Program
The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), a program of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Through WUE, students who are residents of one of the western states may enroll at a reduced tuition of 150% of the institution’s regular resident tuition. These western states are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming or Washington State. View more information about the WUE program at UH Hilo.
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.
Merit-Based Achievement Scholarships
Merit-Based Achievement Scholarships are available to Resident and Non-Resident students who merit assistance because of their achievement and/or service to UH Hilo. The scholarship may cover up to the cost of UH Hilo tuition.
University of Hawaiʻi System Common Scholarship Application
Students are able to apply for both University of Hawaiʻi System scholarships as well as UH Hilo scholarships on the University of Hawaiʻi System Common Scholarship Application . The application contains questions that are required for all students, regardless of which UH campus you will be attending. To be considered for the greatest number of scholarships, applicants should also complete UH Hilo’s campus specific page.
To view a list of available scholarships or to search by a specific scholarship, view the UH Foundation’s scholarship database .
My Journey Scholarship
At UH Hilo where your journey is our focus, we strive to ensure that your experiences are memorable, both in and outside of the classroom. This scholarship gives you the chance to share your journey with us and is open to all new, incoming students. For more information about this scholarship, please visit the My Journey Scholarship page.
Chancellor’s Scholarships
The Chancellor’s Scholarship is a prestigious award created for exceptional graduates from Hawaiʻi high schools. The award covers four years of undergraduate tuition. For more information about this scholarship please visit the Chancellor's Scholarship page.
Regents and Presidential Scholarships (RAPS)
The UH Board of Regents established the Regents and Presidential Scholarships to support Hawaiʻi students with a record of outstanding academic achievement. For more information about these scholarships, please visit the University of Hawaiʻi Regents and Presidential Scholarships page or contact
Athletic Scholarships
The various team coaches in the Athletic Department determine eligibility for these funds.
External Scholarships
Several external organizations have scholarships available to UH Hilo students with a brief description of scholarship and/or basic eligibility requirements. Detailed information and applications are available on the external scholarship list.