He Ipu Ka‘eo was created to direct you to valuable resources available to Native Hawaiian students seeking post-secondary education; both college and career training programs. See below for information on scholarships, financial aid resources, and student support services. Please visit the websites for complete criteria, detailed requirements, and information about when applications are open and closed.
The following scholarships are administered by the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation. Visi the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation Scholarship Manager for details about each fund and specific requirements.
Established in 2015 to benefit students of Native Hawaiian ancestry who display academic merit and good character.
For West Oahu residents pursuing degrees in Travel Industry Management (hospitality/tourism) or Hawaiian Studies (language/culture), with preference for students of Native Hawaiian descent.
For Hawaii residents of Hawaiian ancestry pursuing Hawaiian language or fields related to Hawaiian history, culture and arts.
For students majoring in Education with emphasis on classroom teaching, with preference for non-traditional students and Native Hawaiians.
For adults in recovery from mental health, behavioral or psychological disabilities pursuing traditional or vocational education programs; Maui County residents only.
Established in 2015 to support full-time undergraduate students pursuing STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), with preference for students of Hawaiian ancestry.
For Native Hawaiian students pursuing STEM or similar fields, with preference for STEM, Business and Economics, or Education Faculty & Research studies.
For undergraduate students majoring in Hawaiian Language at two or four-year colleges in Hawaii, renewable for up to four years; preference for students of Hawaiian ethnicity.
For female students of Hawaiian ancestry pursuing STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) with a minimum 3.5 GPA and demonstrated financial need.
For Hawaii residents attending community colleges or vocational training institutes, with preference for students of Hawaiian ancestry.
For students of part Native Hawaiian ancestry, with additional preferences for LGBTQ+ students, females, and those demonstrating community service and athletics participation.
For female college freshmen and sophomores of Hawaiian ancestry attending accredited two or four-year institutions in Hawaii with minimum 3.3 GPA.
Established in 1999 for Kohala High School graduates pursuing Hawaiian Studies, Oceanography, Agriculture or Botany at UH Hilo or Hawaii Community College.
For female students of Hawaiian ancestry pursuing degrees in health, nursing or medicine at two or four-year colleges in Hawaii.
For Native Hawaiian students pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies at the University of Hawaii.
For Hawaii residents who graduated from Hawaiian immersion or Hawaiian medium education high schools, with preference for Kauai residents.
For Native Hawaiian students pursuing higher education with demonstrated financial need.
Established in 2025 to support Native Hawaiian students seeking higher education with demonstrated financial need.
For Hawaii residents of Hawaiian ancestry, with additional preference for students born and raised on the island of Hawaii.
Established in 2025 for Kailua-Kona residents of Hawaiian descent pursuing accredited post-high school education.
For nursing students with 3.0 GPA (or 2.0 for AS/certificate programs) at UH Maui College, with preference for students of Hawaiian ancestry.
Established in 2015 to Benefit students of Native Hawaiian ancestry who display academic merit and good character.
A list of Hawaiian civic clubs is available here: Hawaiian Civic Clubs – Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs Please visit each club’s information page for specific details and requirements.
Each club has its own objectives, priorities, elects its own leadership and determines membership criteria. Association of Hawaiian Civic clubs is a confederation of individual and autonomous clubs established across Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Continent with five (5) councils:
Ka Ipu Kāʻeo 0 CTE & Scholarships:
To qualify for Ke Aliʻi Pauahi Foundation scholarships, scholars must be registered with the Hoʻoulu Verification Services. Visit their scholarship page for more information about their scholarship application cycle.
If you have questions please email: [email protected] or call (808) 534-8080
Learn more about the Pauahi Foundation
Learn more about the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP) here.
Questions? Please contact: Donna-Marie Palakiko, PhD | [email protected] | (808) 597-6550
1-877-690-4677
Learn more about the Gates Millennium Scholarship Program
1-877-808-7032, Learn more about the Asian Pacific Islander Scholarship Fund
To be eligible, Native Hawaiian students in the UH system that demonstrate financial need should apply for financial aid through their campus financial aid offices. Contact the UH financial aid office on your home campus for more information.
For a listing of scholarships available to University of Hawai‘i Mānoa Students visit:
http://www.hawaii.edu/fas/info/scholarships.php
There are several types of financial aid, including grants and scholarships, work study and loans. Financial aid awards may include a combination of these types of aid. Currently enrolled and newly admitted college students may apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are a student in the University of Hawai‘i system, contact your home campus to learn more about financial aid available to you.
Kuaʻana Tuition Waivers support students attending the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus.
(808) 956-5945 or (808) 956-2644,
Kuaʻana Native Hawaiian Student Development Services
The Hawaiian Tuition Waiver supports Native Hawaiian students accepted into a degree seeking program at Honolulu Community College, who demonstrate financial need and are enrolled at least half
College campuses provide support services designed to help students succeed. Here are just a few of the programs available at University of Hawai‘i campuses that are tailored specifically to assist Native Hawaiian students.
Native Hawaiian Student Services Program: provides tutoring, free computer and printing access, academic counseling, internship programs, wellness counseling, technology workshops, and community huaka‘i (fieldtrips). Services are open to all Native Hawaiians regardless of major. Call (808) 956-4753 or visit http://manoa.hawaii.edu/nhss/financial-aid-scholarships/scholarship-list/ for more information.
Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center: provides academic advising, tutoring, peer mentoring, assistance with financial aid, especially scholarships giving preference to Hawaiians, and career planning and preparation including placement with mentors and internships on and off campus. Call (808) 933-0897 or visit http://kipuka.uhh.hawaii.edu/ for more information.
Kaiao Student Success Center: provides students with guidance and support in helping them to achieve their educational goals through cultural enrichment activities that include field trips, hands-on cultural experiences, and networking with other Hawaiian students. Kaiao offers tutoring and counseling services, and a computer lab for student use. Call (808) 984-3405 or visit http://maui.hawaii.edu/kaiao for more information.
The Hulili Ke Kukui Hawaiian Center is committed to actively preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian culture and values. The Native Hawaiian Center offers academic advising, career development, four year transfer assistance, and tutoring. Call (808) 847-9805 or visit https://www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/hawaiian for more information.
Po‘i Nā Nalu provides Native Hawaiian students in career and technical education programs with support services to successfully navigate through higher education and beyond. Call (808) 845-9176 or visit https://www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/services/hawaiian-center/poi-na-nalu/ for more information.
The Kapoʻoloku Program for Native Hawaiian Student Success exists to ensure that Kapi’olani Community College (KCC) programs and services are equitable for student of Hawaiian ancestry. The program provides a solid foundation for students by reinforcing the importance education by promoting personal growth and development within the social, community and cultural contexts of Hawai’i’s history. Program services are provided at the Manele lab including peer tutoring, academic advising, computer access, and assistance with financial aid and scholarship applications. Call (808) 734-9714, email [email protected] or visit https://www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu/support-and-campus-life/kapooloku/ for more information.
Kūlia ma Kapiʻolani, a Native Hawaiian Career & Technical Education project, assists Native Hawaiian students pursuing Career and Technical Education (CTE) in graduating and seeking employment in their chosen fields. Call Sydney Dickerson, Student Support Specialist, at (808) 734-9654, [email protected] or visit https://www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu/support-and-campus-life/kulia-ma-kapiolani/.
Lunalilo Scholars identifies individual needs and provides support, tools and resources for Native Hawaiian students to build a foundation for success in their first year of college. Call Lavache Scanlan at (808) 734-9371, email [email protected], or visit http://fye.kapiolani.hawaii.edu/lunalilo-scholars-2/.
Paepae ‘Ōhua Native Hawaiian Student Services Program promotes a holistic Hawaiian cultural foundation experience which empowers all learners to maximize their potential by supporting personal development, cultural identity, and academic success. For more information visit https://www.hawaii.hawaii.edu/i-ola-haloa/paepae-ohua.
The following opportunities do not fall within the categories above but may be valuable resources for students pursuing higher education, career training, professional development, leadership experiences, graduate studies, or other educational pathways.
Provides up to USD $40,000 to support Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students pursuing graduate-level study (master’s, doctoral, or postdoctoral research) at an accredited institution in Australia. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, plant to study full-time in Australia for at least one year and be recognized members of a Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian community. Admission to an Australian institution is not required at the time of application. Applications are accepted annually from August 1 through September 30. Learn more about the AAA Indigenous Graduate Education Scholarships
