This is a quick list of various funding sources for Early Childhood Education students. Use the links provided to search for the application description and instructions to determine whether or not you qualify. If you do not qualify, move on to the next one. If you do meet all the criteria, then apply!
UH System & Campus Specific Sources
Below are some scholarships previous Early Childhood Education students across the UH system have received. Use this list as a beginning step toward your search; you will not qualify for everything on this list. This list is by no means exhaustive and doing your own search using keywords unique to your demographic and life situation can yield additional funding sources for you.
Take a look at some strategies to Find Other Funding Sources Within UH to maximize the funding you receive.
| Name of Funding Source | Basic Criteria | Application Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Henry and Dorothy Castle Memorial ECE Scholarship ***NOTE: The UH Foundation scholarship search will direct you to apply using the UH System Common Application. This is incorrect! Follow the link in the far right column to apply for this scholarship.*** | Any undergraduate student in the UH system studying Early Childhood Education | Scholarship Information and Application Application opens around February Deadline: May 1, 2024* *Additional applications accepted if funds are available. For more information email: ece@hawaii.edu |
| Mary Tenney Castle Memorial Graduate Fellowship ***NOTE: The UH Foundation scholarship search will direct you to apply using the UH System Common Application. This is incorrect! Follow the link in the far right column to apply for this fellowship.*** | Any graduate student in the UH system studying Early Childhood Education | Scholarship Information and Application Application opens around February Deadline: May 1, 2024* *Additional applications accepted if funds are available. For more information email: ece@hawaii.edu |
| Thomas K. Kaulukukui, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Endowment | Any student in the UH system; must be a resident of Hawaiʻi and graduate of a local high school | UH System Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the UH System Common Scholarship Application |
| Claire and Kuhio Asam Endowed Scholarship | Any UH Community College student studying Early Childhood Education; preference given to students of Native Hawaiian ancestry | UH System Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the UH System Common Scholarship Application |
| Anna S. Sloggett Scholarship | Kauaʻi Community College students studying Early Childhood Education | UH System Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the UH System Common Scholarship Application |
| Danford Friend Endowed Scholarship | Kauaʻi Community College students studying various fields including education | UH System Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the UH System Common Scholarship Application |
| Deja Vu Surf Hawaii Endowed Scholarship | Kauaʻi Community College students pursuing a degree or certificate in Early Childhood Education | UH System Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the UH System Common Scholarship Application |
| Richard Kawakami Endowed Fund | Kauaʻi Community College students who graduated from high school on Kauaʻi or Niʻihau | UH System Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the UH System Common Scholarship Application |
| Charlotte Wong Scholarship Fund for Public Service | Honolulu Community College students pursuing an associates degree in public service (e.g., Human Services, Early Childhood Education, Administration of Justice, Fire and Environmental Emergency Response, and Liberal Arts) | UH System Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the UH System Common Scholarship Application |
| Hannah Lou Bennett Memorial Scholarship | Honolulu Community College students studying Early Childhood Education | UH System Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the UH System Common Scholarship Application |
| Loui “Tools of the Trade” Scholarship | Honolulu Community College students in technical and trades programs at Honolulu CC (ECE is a trade program) | UH System Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the UH System Common Scholarship Application |
| Maui Oil Company – Mary Jane and Alex McBarnett Sr. | UH Maui College students; preference given to single parents | UH System Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the UH System Common Scholarship Application |
| Theodora Girlie Laureta Scholarship Fund | UH Maui College students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program | UH System Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the UH System Common Scholarship Application |
| Hawaii Educational Opportunity Fund | UH Hilo students | UH System Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the UH System Common Scholarship Application |
| Daniel and Lydia Makuakane Endowed Scholarship | UH Hilo Ka Haka ‘Ula o Ke‘elikolani College of Hawaiian Language students | UH System Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the UH System Common Scholarship Application |
| Kai Noa Scholarship Fund | UH Hilo Ka Haka ‘Ula o Ke‘elikolani College of Hawaiian Language students | UH System Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the UH System Common Scholarship Application |
| Lawrence Silva Memorial Excellence Scholarship | UH Hilo Ka Haka ‘Ula o Ke‘elikolani College of Hawaiian Language students | UH System Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the UH System Common Scholarship Application |
| Chandler Scholarship in Social Sciences | UH West Oʻahu students in Social Sciences programs, including Early Childhood Education | UH System Common Scholarship Application Also see Tips to complete the UH System Common Scholarship Application |
| Elaine M. Takenaka Endowed Scholarship | UH Mānoa College of Education (COE) undergraduate students enrolled in the early childhood or elementary education program; must be a resident of Hawaiʻi and graduate of a local high school | UH Mānoa COE Common Scholarship application |
| Howard K. and Ruth G. Benham Endowment | UH Mānoa College of Education (COE) students focuses on youth sports and fitness, Health and Physical Education, Teacher Education or Early Childhood Education; preference given to students of Native Hawaiian ancestry | UH Mānoa COE Common Scholarship application |
| Linda E. Putnam Memorial Scholarship Endowment | UH Mānoa students committed to a career in Early Childhood Education, Family Strengthening, and/or increasing opportunities for women; demonstrate some financial need | STAR Mānoa Student Scholarships |
| Scholarship in Early Childhood Education | UH Mānoa College of Education (COE) full-time students specializing in Early Childhood Education | UH Mānoa COE Common Scholarship application |
| Stanley and Agnes Ing Family Scholarship | UH Mānoa College of Education (COE) undergraduate and masters students majoring in education; preference given to preschool or elementary majors. | UH Mānoa COE Common Scholarship application |
| Stephanie Feeney Scholarship in Early Childhood Education | UH Mānoa College of Education (COE) graduate students specializing in the field of Early Childhood Education (MEd in ECE); demonstrate some financial need | UH Mānoa COE Common Scholarship application |
External (non-UH) Sources
Below are some scholarships specifically designed for Early Childhood Education students and those pursuing credentials to work in the field of ECE.
Take a look at some strategies to Find External Funding Sources (outside UH) to maximize the funding you can receive.
| Name of Funding Source | Basic Criteria | Application Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaiʻi Early Childhood Educator Stipend*** State of Hawaiʻi stipend for Early Childhood Educators ***NOTE to UH students: Any stipend received for tuition and fees will be considered as part of your financial aid eligibility. Any outside funding a student receives that pays for any portion of the student’s cost of attendance must be considered when determining eligibility for financial aid. This stipend is considered “outside funding.” | For students enrolled in ECE courses and/or ECE generalist degree program at any of the UH system schools (UHM, UHWO, UHHilo Hawaiian Immersion, HawaiiCC, UH Maui College, HonoluluCC, Kauai CC) Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in coursework. Must work in an ECE program in Hawaiʻi serving children within the 0-5 year old range for two years after graduation, or may need to pay back stipend. | Visit the Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) website for more information. Apply here: Stipend Application Deadlines: Fall tuition – July 15 Spring tuition – December 1 Summer tuition – April 15 |
| PATCH Tuition Reimbursement Scholarships Scholarship for Early Childhood Educators based in Hawaiʻi | For students who paid tuition for approved ECE coursework and/or membership fees that are required to obtain ECE credentials. Priority given to currently employed DHS licensed Child Care employees or operating a registered family child care home. Applicants must live in Hawaii. Learn more at PATCH Scholarship. | Visit the PATCH website to download the application and for more instructions on how to apply. Deadlines: January 15 May 31 August 31 |
| Myron & Laura Thompson Scholarship (Pauahi Foundation Scholarship) | For students pursuing a degree in early childhood education; demonstrate an interest in working with Hawaiian children in Hawaiʻi. | Follow application instructions at: Pauahi Foundation (You will have to create an account and follow all prompts before selecting this specific scholarship.) Opens: typically in October Deadline: typically in December |
| Allen A. Bailey Scholarship (Pauahi Foundation Scholarship) | For graduate students with a major in preschool education. | Follow application instructions at: Pauahi Foundation (You will have to create an account and follow all prompts before selecting this specific scholarship.) Opens: typically in October Deadline: typically in December |
| Nick Van Pernis Scholarship Fund (Hawaiʻi Community Foundation Scholarship) | For students from the west side of the island of Hawai’i studying Marine Science, Biotechnology, Health Sciences or Early Childhood Education. | Follow application instructions at: Hawaii Community Foundation – Common Application (You will have to create an account and complete the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation common application before selecting the Nick Van Pernis Scholarship Fund) Opens: November Deadline: February 15 NOTE: A FAFSA Student Aid Report is required for this application. |
Tips for Successful Scholarship Applications
Many of the funding sources above will require you to write essays to demonstrate that you meet the criteria for their scholarship. Believe it or not, funders pay very close attention to what you write to determine whether or not they will award you. Follow the tips at the link below to maximize your success!