The University of Hawaiʻi is looking for Native Hawaiians across the state who are interested in going to college and learning about the millions of dollars in college scholarships available to them.
UH is hosting a series of free ʻAha Financial Aid workshops across the state for Native Hawaiians who want to learn about college scholarship opportunities and how to apply for financial aid.
The effort is part of a statewide initiative to bring Native Hawaiian scholarship opportunities to underserved communities across the state, and the university’s mission to create opportunities and transform the lives of students, their families and communities through higher education.
“It’s a coming together of scholarship agencies and organizations who believe in the value of college for every person in Hawaiʻi,” said Judy Oliveira, Windward Community College interim vice chancellor of student affairs.
The Native Hawaiian Scholarship ʻAha has assisted countless Native Hawaiian students apply for financial aid, which changed their lives.
“Coming out of high school I was unaware of how I would pay for college because at the time my parents were unable to put me through college so I took it upon myself to find other means necessary in order for me to prolong my education to provide a better future for me as well as my family. I’m grateful and fortunate to not have paid anything since my freshman year in college,” said Justin Pagan, UH Mānoa undergraduate student.
“I was surprised that I was also able to go to school for free, full-time, five classes and have extra money for transportation and food also,” said Nani Daniluck, UH Mānoa undergraduate student.
The free financial aid presentations and workshops are open to high school and college students, parents, teachers, counselors or anyone interested in learning about the wide range of resources and financial aid available to Native Hawaiian students. The workshop will include a brief tutorial on how to fill out financial aid applications and strategies on earning scholarship money.
Free financial aid workshops
Oʻahu
- Honolulu—McKinley High Gym, December 2, 2014, 6 p.m.
- Kāneʻohe—Windward Community College Hale ʻĀkoakoa 101, December 3, 2014, 6 p.m.
- Honolulu—McKinley High Auditorium, January 13, 2015, 6 p.m.
- Waiʻanae—Waiʻanae High School Cafe, January 14, 2015, 6 p.m.
Hawaiʻi Island
- Waimea—Hawaiian Homestead Hall, November 18, 2014, 6 p.m.
- Kona—Kealakehe High School Cafeteria, November 19, 2014, 6 p.m.
- Hilo—University of Hawaiʻi Hilo Theater, November 20, 2014, 6 p.m.
Maui County
- Kahului—UH Maui College Student Lounge, December 11, 2014, 6 p.m.
- Lānaʻi—Lānaʻi High School Cafeteria, January 27, 2015, 6 p.m.
- Molokaʻi—Kūlana ʻOiwi, January 28, 2015, 6 p.m.
- Hāna—Hāna High School Cafeteria, January 29, 2015, 6 p.m.
Kauaʻi
- Līhuʻe—Kauaʻi Community College Cafeteria, December 2, 2014 at 5:30 p.m.
Visit the financial aid workshop website for more information.
