Campus and Community Resources

Student Success Tips

• Attend Orientation as a new student
• Meet with, and become acquainted with, your advisor. They are a great resource for assistance.
• Attend class
• Check your email frequently, especially your UH Hilo account.
• Get to know your professors. They are great resources, like your advisor, for academic assistance and career advice
• Take care of your health. Sleep, exercise, and stress management are important.
• Learn about campus resources available (below) to you and take advantage of them - it is okay to ask for help.
• Manage your time well to include academics, work, social life, leadership, and service.
• Report emergencies and safety issues to the Campus Security, Housing staff, faculty, etc.- if you see something, say something.
• Get involved with a student club or organization or just in attending events offered to you.
• Complete the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid every year. This is not just for loans, but includes eligibility for grants and scholarships. More information is available on the Financial Aid Office website.
• Protect your privacy and contact information on social networking sites.
• Keep an open mind and intentionally seek out new experiences. Attend an arts or athletic event on campus, listen to a symposium or lecture from a different discipline than your major, introduce yourself to fellow students in your courses who you do not already know.
• Strive to be respectful and civil in your communications with others. College is all about exposure to different viewpoints. You don't have to change your position or stance, but respectfully allow space for other perspectives to exist in our community.

2024-2025 Campus Resources

Community Resources

• 2021-2022 Hawaii Island Services Directory for Families (PDF )
  • Hospitals and Clinics
  • Emergency Shelters
  • Help for Children
    • Neighborhood Place of Puna
  • Teen Services
  • Support Services
  • The Food Basket
  • HOPE Services Hawaiʻi
  • Employment and Training
  • Housing Referral Assistance
  • Legal Help
  • Veteran Services
  • Human Trafficking Resources
  • COVID-19 Resources
  • Other Useful Services
  • Aloha United Way
• SNAP
• State of Hawaiʻi General Website

Student Emergency Fund 2022-2023

Emergency Fund Program Description

We recognize life happens and unexpected financial situations occur. To help in these situations, there is emergency funding assistance available to those who need it most and qualify by meeting the eligibility criteria outlined below. Please remember that this funding is for significant hardships and is not meant to provide long-term or full tuition relief. Instead, this is a last resort fund for students who need it most in the immediate moment and cannot be used for future planning purposes (example—enrolling in the spring semester).

In general, students are encouraged to work with the Financial Aid Office to discuss all options available to them as a first resort. Students should also be aware of the Hawaii Basic Needs site which offers a lot of community resources that offer assistance around childcare, housing, food security, legal assistance, and much more!

Application Process

Any currently enrolled, degree-seeking UH Hilo student may apply for emergency funds and must:

• Fill out an application
• Demonstrate financial hardship (see examples provided)
• Demonstrate that all other resources, including loans through Financial Aid, have been considered and are insufficient, unavailable, or not available in a timely manner
• Complete all questions in full and submit supporting documentation as the situation allows

Completed applications will be directed and reviewed and a response will be given within 24-48 hours of receipt of application. I approved, payment will be distributed as soon as possible but could depend on several factors and may affect the student’s aid package overall. Additionally, emergency funding may create a taxable event that could require reporting to the IRS by the recipient.

Priority will be given to students whose continued enrollment at UH Hilo may be at risk because of unexpected and unforeseen events or expenses (see examples below). In general, please remember that students who are in need of support during any and all emergency situations may be referred to the UH Hilo Care Team. Please note there is no guarantee of funding once all funds are exhausted and applications will be denied on that basis if and when that occurs.