As the cost of a college education continues to climb, traditional and nontraditional college students alike are experiencing sticker shock.
Thankfully, the Hawaii Community Foundation’s online scholarship application gives these students access to millions of dollars in scholarships every year.
Each applicant can fill out the HCF common application to automatically apply to more than 280 different scholarships through the HCF website: www.HawaiiCommunity Foundation.org/scholarships.
“Without this scholarship, there’s no way I would have been able to go back to school and remain debt free,” said Chase Ivey, a Hawaii Island college student and recipient of multiple scholarships from the Kuki‘o Community Scholarship Fund. “I’ll be graduating in April, and I feel hope and optimism for the Ivey family’s future — which wouldn’t be so bright without the generosity of the Kuki‘o Community Association.”
“We are able to award scholarships to over 1,200 deserving students each year through the funds donors have established at HCF. Many students receive multiple scholarships,” said Tara Shibuya, director of scholarships at HCF. “Because students only need to submit one application, our system automatically matches an application to available scholarships, assuring that every dollar of support is awarded each year. We are extremely grateful to our donors whose foresight and generosity makes this possible.”
HCF, the state’s leading philanthropic institution, began accepting online applications for the 2020-2021 scholarship season on Nov. 15, 2019.
To apply for a scholarship for the 2020-2021 academic year, students just need to complete and submit HCF’s Common Application by 4 p.m. HST on Friday, Jan. 31.
Visit HawaiiCommunity Foundation.org/Scholarships to apply or for more information on the application process.
As the third-largest private provider of scholarships in the state, HCF offers thousands of opportunities for students to pursue their dreams of receiving a post-secondary education. In 2018, more than $6.3 million was distributed to over 1,200 students, and over 30% of these students received multiple awards.
“More and more people are pursuing a post-secondary education, even in the face of the rising cost of attending college,” added Shibuya. “Thanks to the generosity of individuals, families and businesses in our community, Hawaii’s students have the opportunity to pursue their educational goals, whether it’s at a college, university or community college, and receive much needed financial support.”
The foundation also provides the Community Scholarship for students from low to moderate-income households. In 2019, 14 students received $3,000 scholarship from the Community Scholarship Fund. This scholarship fund accepts gifts of all sizes through the HCF webpage www.HawaiiCommunity Foundation.org/give.
You can help. To establish a new scholarship, please contact Eric La‘a at elaa@hcf-hawaii.org.