Connecting Learning, Life and Aloha
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International Student Services

Scholarships for International Students

Below is a list of scholarships for which international students at UH Hilo are eligible.

Students on F-1 Visas

UH Hilo International Student Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to international students who have demonstrated outstanding academic merit and have indicated financial need.

The deadline to apply for the International Student Scholarship for the 2023-2024 academic year was March 15, 2023. Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year will be available here in January 2024.

New students interested in this scholarship must first apply for admission to UH Hilo. If admitted, all new international students will be automatically considered for this scholarship and will be notified by email if they are offered a scholarship (no application is necessary).

UH Hilo Dean's Scholarships: Each college at UH Hilo annually awards scholarships to students. Deadlines to apply are typically in March for the following academic year. Contact your college dean's office for more information.

UH Scholarships: Both UH Hilo and the UH System offer scholarships. Scholarships are open to students who are admitted to the University. The UH System Common Scholarship Application is a single application form that you use to apply for all of these scholarships, including both UH Hilo and UH scholarships. You only need to submit one application for these scholarships. (Please note that international students attending UH Hilo on a student visa do not need to submit a FAFSA--Free Application for Federal Student Aid--to apply for these scholarships.)

Apply for UH scholarships using the UH System Common Scholarship Application. The deadline to apply for scholarships for 2023-2024 is March 1.

UH scholarships that international students may be eligible for include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Alec and Kay Keith Scholarship (students from the Palau, FSM, and the Marshall Islands are eligible for this scholarship)
  • Alfred Capelle and Byron Bender Endowed Scholarship Fund (for students from the Marshall Islands)
  • Ambassador Mary Olmsted Endowed Fellowship Fund (for graduate students who are citizens of Papua New Guinea)
  • Arthur & Beatrice Harris Endowment for Graduate Scholarships (for graduate students)
  • College of Pharmacy Wal-Mart Scholarship (for Pharmacy students)
  • CVS Caremark Scholarship (for Pharmacy students)
  • CVS Doctor of Nursing Practice - UH Hilo Nurse Practitioner Program (for students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program)
  • Dodo Family Excellence Scholarship
  • Dr. John G. Chan Endowed Excellence Scholarship in Biology
  • Dr. Richard Linn Stevens Scholarship Fund for Restoration
  • Elwin & Valerie Goo Endowed Excellence Scholarship in Pharmacy at UH Hilo (for Pharmacy students)
  • Eric and Gail Haws Scholarship Fund
  • Faliuwseuw Endowed Scholarship
  • Frank T. Inouye Endowed Scholarship
  • Frederick D. Barstow Endowed Scholarship - UH Hilo (for students from American Samoa)
  • G.Y. Sonomura Endowed Excellence Scholarship
  • Geology Scholarship
  • Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce Endowed Scholarship Program at the University of Hawaii at Hilo
  • Henry E. Renteria Scholarship Fund (for English majors)
  • Ho-Pang Endowed Scholarship
  • Howard & Yoneko Droste Endowed Excellence Scholarship in Art
  • J.M. Long Foundation Pharmacy Scholarship (for Pharmacy students)
  • James P.D. Thropp Scholarship in Agriculture at UH Hilo
  • James P.D. Thropp Scholarship in Business at UH Hilo
  • James W. & Eleanor B. Frierson Endowed Scholarship Fund
  • Jennifer and Adrian Fung Scholarship
  • Jinsei and Elaine Maedo Kaneshiro Endowed Scholarship
  • John M. and Mimi F. Pezzutto Excellence Scholarship (for Pharmacy students)
  • John Vernon & Shizuko Nakagawa Harry Endowed Scholarship
  • Kay Ikeda Kaneshima Endowed Excellence Scholarship in Japanese Studies
  • Lawrence Silva Memorial Scholarship
  • Leon J. Rhodes Scholarship
  • Louisa Pereira Endowed Scholarship
  • Malcolm Hedley McVickar Endowed Excellence Scholarship
  • Michael J. Levin Endowed Scholarship
  • Mildred Towle Scholarship for International Students at the University of Hawaii
  • Military Intelligence Service Veterans of Hawaiʻi/Makiki Japanese Language School Endowed Scholarship Fund
  • Mr. Nagakatsu Kumao Otsuka and Dr. Raymond Masashi Otsuka Memorial Scholarship (for Pharmacy students)
  • NACD Stores Foundation Pharmacy Partners Scholarship (for Pharmacy students)
  • Oda/McCarty Endowed Excellence Scholarship
  • Osher Reentry Scholarship
  • Paul Clark/Carl Moon Scholarship at UHHilo
  • Paul J. Kopecky Memorial Scholarship
  • Phyllis Kahaney Humanities Award
  • Que-Andrada Foundation University of Hawaii at Hilo Excellence Scholarship
  • Representative Bob Nakasone Memorial Nursing Scholarship
  • Richard Taniguchi Endowed Scholarship Fund
  • Ruth E. Black Scholarship - UH Hilo
  • Safeway Pharmacy Scholarship (for Pharmacy students)
  • Stars of Oceania Scholarship
  • Subaru Telescope Success Scholarship
  • Tsukasa and Akiko Matsui Endowed Scholarship
  • UH Hilo - Hiroo Sato Scholarship
  • UH Hilo Alumni & Friends Scholarship
  • UH Hilo College of Pharmacy Target Scholarship (for Pharmacy students)
  • UH Hilo COP Class of 2013 Scholarship (for Pharmacy students)
  • UH Hilo Pharmacy Class of 2012 Scholarship (for Pharmacy students)
  • UH Hilo Pride Legacy Scholarship
  • UHH College of Pharmacy Class of 2011 Scholarship (for Pharmacy students)
  • UHH Performing Arts Center Scholarship
  • Victor and Peggy Brandstrom Pavel Scholars
  • Virginia Pearson Ransburg Delta Kappa Gamma Scholarship (students from the Palau, FSM, and the Marshall Islands are eligible for this scholarship)
  • W.T. Yoshimoto Foundation Charitable Trust Endowed Scholarship Fund for the Conservation and Preservation of Wildlife Habitats and Large Land Mammals
  • W.T. Yoshimoto Foundation Charitable Trust Meritorious Graduate Scholarship at UH Hilo for Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Sciences (for graduate students in TCBES)
  • Walgreens Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Scholarship (for Pharmacy students)
  • Walgreens Diversity Scholarship (for Pharmacy students)
  • Williard D. Keim Memorial Scholarship

View a complete list of UH scholarships.

Other scholarships for which you may be eligible

Websites with Scholarship Resources

Loans

International students who meet certain criteria are eligible for some loans. Typically, these loans required a co-signer (someone who guarantees that you will pay the loan back and is responsible for paying the loan if you are unable to do so). Visit the International Student Loan Center or InternationalStudentLoan.com which provide international students with access to a range of loans. The SallieMae Smart Option Student Loan accepts loan applications from non-US citizens (although most lenders require you to have a credit-worthy co-signer who is a US citizen or permanent resident).

Although most lenders require an eligible co-signer to join the application, there are some loans that do not require you to have a co-signer. Instead of determining your eligibility based on your co-signer, no co-signer loans look at factors like how soon you will graduate, your career potential, and if you attend a school on the approved list. Each lender has their own eligibility criteria. Because of this it’s important to compare each lender, including their eligibility requirements. If you would like to find an international student loan that does not require a co-signer, view information about no-cosigner loans.

Students from the Compact of Free Association Nations

Students from the Compact of Free Association nations (the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands) are eligible for U.S. federal financial aid as well as scholarships from their home governments.

U.S. Federal Financial Aid

To apply for U.S. federal financial aid, students should fill out and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. Students must apply each year, starting in October for the following academic year. Students from the FSM and Marshall Islands are eligible for Pell Grants. Students from Palau are eligible for Pell Grants, SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant), and Federal Work-Study.

If you plan to take classes during the summer session, fill out the Summer Financial Aid Application and submit it to the UH Hilo Financial Aid Office. This will enable you to be considered for financial aid for summer classes.

Government Scholarships

Deadline: June 30 for fall, December 31 for spring and May 31 for summer.
Send transcript to: FSM Department of Education, P.O. Box PS 87, Palikir, Pohnpei FM 96941
Contact: Joyleen Sienes at Joyleen.Sienes@national.doe.fm (email), 691-320-2609 or 691-320-2647 (phone)

Requirements to continue to be eligible for the scholarship: 2.0 cumulative GPA and register for at least 12 credits each semester. (Note: Credits are counted if a student receives an "F" but not if a student receives a "W".) Letters of recommendation are no longer required for the FSM scholarship.

Deadline: June 30 for fall and spring of the following academic year; no scholarships for summer
Send transcript to: Joyce Otoko, Student Services Coordinator, P.O. Box 904, Weno, Chuuk FM 96942
Contact: Joyce Otoko at chuukscholarship@gmail.com (email), 691-330-2190 or 691-330-5290 (phone)

Deadline: June 30 for fall; November 30 for spring; April 30 for summer (usually available for graduating seniors only)
Send transcript to: Tulensa Sigra, Department of Education, P.O. Box 660, Tofol, Kosrae FM 96944
Contact: Marieta Kephas at mpkephas@gmail.com (email), 691-370-3008 or 691-370-3189 (phone)

Requirements to continue to be eligible for the scholarship: 2.5 cumulative GPA and register for at least 12 credits each semester.

Deadline: June 30
Send transcript to: CFSM Kosrae Delegation Office, Administrative Officer, P.O. Box 257, Kosrae, FM 96944
Contact: Elise Palsis at eliseksadel14@gmail.com (email), 691-370-3052 or 691-370-3152 (phone)

Deadline: June 30; December 31 for spring; no scholarships for summer
Send transcript to: Scholarship Coordinator, Department of Education, P.O. Box 250, Kolonia, Pohnpei FM 96941
Contact: Merlinda Donre Hawley at mdonre@pohnpei.doe.fm (email), 691-320-2102 or 691-320-2103 (phone)

Requirements to continue to be eligible for the scholarship: 2.5 cumulative GPA and earn 12 credits each semester

Deadline: June for fall; December for spring; no scholarships for summer
Send transcript to: Yap State Scholarship Coordinator, P.O. Box 135, Colonia, Yap FM 96943
Contact: yapscholarship@gmail.com (email), (691-350-2571 (phone)

Requirements to continue to be eligible for the scholarship: 2.5 semester GPA

  • Marshall Islands Scholarship, Grant & Loan Program

Marshall Islands Scholarship Application

Deadline: June 30 for fall; November 1 for spring; April 1 for summer
Send transcript to: Juliet Anitok, MISGLB Director, P.O. Box 1436, Majuro, MH 96960
Contact: Julie Anitok or Diane Peter at rmisglb@gmail.com (email), 692-625-3108 (phone)

View Marshall Islands Scholarship requirements for ongoing scholarship recipients.

In addition to an official copy of your transcript, you must submit a copy of your financial aid award letter, class schedule for the upcoming semester, and summary of charges (tuition, fees, housing, meal plan, etc.). You can access this information in your MyUH account and then print it out or save it electronically.

Deadline: July 31; no scholarships for summer
Send transcript to: Scholarship Coordinator, P.O. Box 1608, Koror, Palau 96940
Contact: scholarship680@gmail.com (email), 680-488-3602 (phone)

View the Palau scholarship, grant & loan criteria (PDF) for selecting recipients.

Requirements to continue to be eligible for the scholarship, loan or grant: Earn 24 credits each academic year

The PNSB Fellowship Award Program offers funds to Palauan students to support internships for the summer.

For other non-Palau National Scholarship Board sponsored programs, visit the Palau National Scholarship board website.

Follow these steps to apply for one of the COFA government scholarships listed above

  1. Fill out the application.
  2. Bring your completed application to the ISS office (or email it or fax it to 808-932-7471).
  3. When you drop off or send your application to the ISS office, let us know whether you plan to live on-campus or off-campus next year and if you and your family will be contributing any funds to pay for your expenses.
  4. We will fill out the information on financial expenses.
  5. We will sign and seal the application, then scan and email it to the scholarship office (with a copy to you), and then mail the original application to the scholarship office.
  6. If you have attended UH Hilo before, fill out a Transcript Request Form so that an official copy of your UH Hilo transcript is sent to the scholarship application. You can also get a Transcript Request Form at the Registrar's Office (1st floor of the Student Services Building) or at the ISS Office). Cost is $5 per transcript.

If you need proof of attendance for a scholarship application, fill out and submit the Certification Request form to the Registrar's Office .

If you need to submit a document showing the amount of your charges (tuition, fees, etc.), log in to your MyUH account, click on "View charges," and then click on "View my account." You can take a screenshot of that page or print it out and scan it.

You only need to apply once a year for the government scholarships listed above, but you must send an official copy of your UH Hilo transcript at the end of each semester.

Other Scholarships for Pacific Islanders

  • UH Hilo Pacific Islander Scholarship: No application is necessary. Eligible students will be considered for and awarded the scholarship by submitting a FAFSA.
  • APIA AANAPISI Scholarship: UH Hilo students are eligible to apply for this scholarship worth approximately $2,500-$5,000. Deadline to apply is November. More information and an online application can be found on the APIA website.
  • APIA General Scholarship: UH Hilo students are eligible to apply for this scholarship worth approximately $2,500-$20,000. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 required. Deadline to apply is January 11, 2018. More information and application instructions can be found on the APIA website.
  • Dr. Joakim Peter Memorial Scholarship: Scholarships for FSM, Palauan and Marshallese students (or sons/daughters of parents from the FSM, Palau and the Marshall Islands). Deadline: June 1.
  • Scholarships for Pacific Islanders & Asian Americans: Website with a list of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate degrees for Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans.
  • South Pacific Islander Organization Scholarships: Scholarships for students of Micronesian, Polynesian and Melanesian descent. Deadline is January.
  • USDA Forest Service - US-Affiliated Pacific Islands Graduate Fellowship: Graduate fellowship for a student dedicated to a career in forestry, conservation biology, and environmental science. In addition to working with a faculty member in Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science (TCBES) program, the student will also be mentored by a research scientist at the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry (IPIF) to develop a project in Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Marshall Islands, or the FSM. The fellowship comes with generous support for 2 years, including a stipend, tuition costs, health insurance, and costs for travel and supplies needed to conduct research work associated with the research project. The fellowship recipient is expected to work with their IPIF mentor part-time in the school year and full-time in the summer breaks. To apply, send a copy of your TCBES acceptance letter, transcript(s), and a personal statement to Susan Cordell at Susan.Cordell@usda.gov with “IPIF US-API Graduate Fellowship Application” in the subject line. Priority deadline: March 1.
  • UH Hilo Dean's Scholarships: Each college at UH Hilo annually awards scholarships to students. Deadlines to apply are typically in March for the following academic year. Contact your college dean's office for more information.
  • UH Scholarships: Both UH Hilo and the UH System offer scholarships. Scholarships are open to students who are admitted to the University. The UH System Common Scholarship Application is a single application form that you use to apply for all scholarships, including both UH Hilo and UH scholarships. You only need to submit one application for these scholarships. The deadline to apply for scholarships is March 1.

    UH scholarships that students from the Compact of Free Association nations may be eligible for include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • Alec & Kay Keith Scholarship
    • Alfred Capelle and Byron Bender Endowed Schlarship Fund (for students from the Marshall Islands)
    • Arthur & Beatrice Harris Endowment for Graduate Scholarships (for graduate students)
    • Dr. Richard Linn Stevens Scholarship Fund for Restoration
    • Faliuwseuw Scholarship (for students from Yap State, FSM)
    • Henry E. Renteria Scholarship Fund (for English majors)
    • Ho-Pang Endowed Scholarship
    • John Vernon & Shizuko Nakagawa Harry Endowed Scholarship
    • Leon J. Rhodes Scholarship
    • Louisa Pereira Endowed Scholarship
    • Michael J. Levin Endowed Scholarship
    • Mildred Towle Scholarship for International Students
    • Paul J. Kopecky Memorial Scholarship
    • Stars of Oceania Scholarship
    • Victor & Peggy Brandstrom Pavel Scholars
    • Virginia Pearson Ransburg Delta Kappa Gamma Scholarship

View a complete list of UH scholarships.

  • National Fisheries Corporation (NFC) Scholarship: Open to FSM citizens with majors in marine science, business, computer science and related fields. Offered in the fall semester only.
  • FSM Development Bank Scholarship: Must be an FSM citizen pursuing a graduate degree in accounting, finance, banking, business, computer information systems or economics. Undergraduates may be considered. For more information contact Stevenson Joseph at stevej@gmail.com or (691) 320-2840.
  • Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge Scholarship: Information (PDF) and application (Word). Must be a citizen or permanent resident of any of the five Micronesia Challenge jurisdictions (FSM, Palau, Marshall Islands, Guam and CNMI); possess a bachelor’s degree; have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of not less than 3.0 or have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 with at least 3-5 years of work experience in conservation, climate change or sustainable development; be working for a natural resource management agency/NGO, or have a high potential to be hired by one; not already have a full scholarship from any funding source (students with partial scholarships will not receive funds above and beyond the cost of their tuition and associated fees); be accepted or enrolled in a graduate degree program in a resource management/conservation field at universities within the Pacific region (Hawaiʻi, Guam, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia or Japan) at the time of application; and commit to returning to Micronesia to work in the environment sector.
  • Rotary Club of Pohnpei-FSM Scholarship: Must be an FSM citizen and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  • Vital Annual Scholarship in partnership with the Rotary Club of Pohnpei): For FSM citizens. Applicants should major in selected fields such as engineering, certain applied sciences such as chemistry or botany, agriculture, maritime fields of study, certain business fields, and computer science.
  • Pohnpei Women's Council: Open to all students from Pohnpei attending school abroad. Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5. For more information contact Lululeen Santos at (691) 320-5142.
  • Bank of Guam Scholarship: Open to residents of Guam, CNMI, FSM, Palau, the Marshall Islands or San Francisco. Deadline: March 1. For more information email communications@bankofguam.com
  • Rotary International District 2750 Global Grant Scholarship: Guidelines (Word), Application (Word), Recommendation Form (Word), Pre-Check Information Form (Word) & Agreement Form (Word)_(for graduate students from FSM, Palau, Guam, Saipan or the southern part of Tokyo whose graduate level coursework is aligned with one of the Rotary's six areas of focus: peace & conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention & treatment, water & sanitation; maternal & child health; basic education & literacy, and economic & community development)_
  • Heyum Endowment Fund Scholarship
  • CariPac RIAA Scholarship (Word): For FSM students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture and natural resource management, food and nutrition, and related science, technology, engineering and math fields.
  • Hawaiʻi Community Foundation
  • Friend Peace Scholarship (PDF)