UH System Common Scholarship Application Requirements

You have the option of completing an essay describing any service activities you participated in. This essay is not required, but is strongly encouraged, as history of service is a consideration for many of our scholarships.

There are many ways to be of service to others. In this essay, please consider:

• Formal and/or informal service activities or projects and volunteer work;
• Significant home or family responsibilities, such as providing financial support to your parents, providing child or elder care, working unpaid in a family business, etc.;
• Any activities that demonstrate your willingness to contribute or give back to your community;
• Please indicate if activities were paid or unpaid, and whether they were part of coursework

The Common Scholarship application contains several optional essay questions that may be specific to certain campuses or areas of study. It is recommended that you complete those that apply to you in order to be considered for the maximum amount of scholarships available. If a particular optional scholarship does not apply to you, you may leave it blank.

These essays do not replace your general essays. Again, you may find it beneficial to complete essays in a word document, and then copy and paste them into your application.

Some of the topics for essays are below:

1. 442nd Veterans Endowed Scholarship (900-word limit)—Describe the role of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of the United States Army in World War II and their legacy. Complete this essay only if you want to be considered for the 442nd Veterans Endowed Scholarship Fund.
2. Health Care (600-word limit)—Describe what health care related activities you participated in (i.e. demonstrated commitment to health care, volunteer work, employment in health services, enrolled in a degree program in any area of health fields; career goals and plans in the health care field regardless of area of study; how you intend to impact the health of your community in the State of Hawaiʻi.) Complete this essay only if you want to be considered for our health care related scholarships.
3. Environmental Sustainability (600-word limit)—Describe your interest in the field of environmental sustainability, activities that you participated in and how you intend to continue promoting environmental sustainability in the future. Complete this essay only if you want to be considered for the Alaska Airlines Environmental Endowed Scholarship Fund.
4. Evans Scholarship for Culinary Arts (Hawaiʻi CC, 500-word limit)—Complete an essay or short video about your commitment to the culinary industry, your career goals, and your plans for achieving those goals.
5. Loui Student Innovation (Honolulu CC, 600-word limit)—Describe what new processes, fabrications, products, or new technologies that you are interested in to improve the carpentry field.
6. John Young—Fine and Performing Arts scholarship at multiple campuses. If you are interested in this scholarship and are attending one of these campuses, please complete the unique essay prompt:
   • Leeward CC (600-word limit)—Describe your accomplishments in the field of Fine Arts.
   • Windward CC (600-word limit)—Describe how you currently finance your education and how this scholarship would help you reach your education and artistic goals. Describe your career goals as an artistic person.
7. Fallbeck Timmons Botany (Kauaʻi CC, 600-word limit)—Describe your interest in the field of natural sciences or botany.
8. Kimo Farrish (Leeward CC, 600-word limit)—Describe your interest in the fields of Hawaiian Studies, Music, and/or Environmental Studies.
9. Chandler (UH West Oʻahu, 600-word limit)—Describe your interest in public administration and/or social science.
10. Dr. Rockne Freitas (UH West Oʻahu, 600-word limit)—Describe your commitment to perpetuate Native Hawaiian culture through service to the Native Hawaiian community.
11. Hawaiian and Indigenous Health (UH West Oʻahu, 600-word limit)—Describe your commitment to addressing Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or Indigenous health disparities in your career.
12. Performing Arts (UH Hilo, 600-word limit)—What impact would receiving a performing arts scholarship have on your studies?
13. Pharmacy (UH Hilo, 600-word limit)—Describe your activities that have helped promote diversity within the Pharmacy profession.
14. Study Abroad Service Project (UH Hilo, 600-word limit)—Propose a service project that you would implement upon your return to UH Hilo and the US. This proposal should include how you would share your experience, how you would inform and encourage others to study abroad, and why you chose this project. It should also include details such as your target audience, timeline, and partner offices/organizations.
15. Study Abroad Interest (UH Hilo, 600-word limit)—State your motivation for studying abroad, and how the program will contribute to your academic and/or career goals.

Many of our scholarships require one or more Letters of Recommendation (LORs). You can list up to three recommenders on the scholarship application. You will need your recommender’s name and email address in order to complete the form.

As a courtesy to your recommenders, it is advised that you request permission to use them as recommenders and advise them of the deadline to submit their Letter of Recommendation through the online application process. Examples of recommenders include past or present teachers/professors, employers, religious leaders, caseworkers, community leaders, and organization leaders. Letters from relatives and friends will not be accepted.

Once you add a recommender on your application, they will receive an email from scholars@hawaii.edu with a link so they can access the online recommendation form. All LORs must be submitted by the recommender online – we cannot accept emails or hard copies in the mail. Please note both of these important deadlines:

Deadline for students to enter name/email of recommenders:
4:00pm (HST), March 3, 2025
Deadline for recommenders to submit their recommendation form:
4:00pm (HST), March 10, 2025

Student Letter of Recommendation Information
Recommender Letter of Recommendation Information 

Some scholarships require a transcript, so uploading your high school or previous non-UH college transcript(s) is highly recommended in order to be considered for the maximum number of scholarships. Transcripts can be unofficial, but must clearly show your name, grades, GPA, and date printed. During the busy scholarship and admissions season, many schools require additional time for transcript requests so be sure to make your request early.

Not sure if you need to submit a transcript? If you answer “yes” to any of the questions below, you do need to submit a transcript.

1. Are you a graduating high school senior?
2. Is this your first time attending college?
3. Are you transferring from a non-UH college?

Transcripts must be uploaded by March 3, 2025 in order to be included with your application.

While not required, students applying for the UH System Scholarships are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Completing your FAFSA by March 1st will assist reviewing committees in determining eligibility if a scholarship requires demonstration of need.

When completing your application, you will be asked to indicate your home campus and second choice campus for the application year. Based on your responses, you will be presented with additional questions that will help those campuses to determine if you may be eligible for their campus-specific funds.