The UH Board of Regents established the Regents and Presidential Scholarships to support students with a record of outstanding academic achievement. This scholarship is open to all Hawaiʻi residents.

Regents Scholars receive a full tuition waiver for four years of undergraduate study, and Presidential Scholars receive a full tuition waiver for two years of undergraduate study. All scholars receive $4,000 a year and a one-time travel grant of $2,000.

Regents Scholarships are awarded to 20 outstanding freshmen who receive an SAT total score of at least 1340 or ACT combined score of at least 29, maintain at least a 3.5 GPA in academic subjects in high school, and whose extracurricular achievements are shown to be remarkable.

**NOTE: For the 2022-2023 applicant year, in lieu of SAT scores, eligibility for the Regents Scholarship will be considered as follows: 3.8 GPA for UH Mānoa; 3.5-3.7 GPA for UH Hilo and UH West Oʻahu, with preference for those with the higher GPA.**

Presidential Scholarships are awarded to 10 college juniors who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7 for all college level work, a record of sustained progress in academic courses, and evidence of superior academic achievement or creative endeavor.

The Regents and Presidential Scholarships cover the cost of Tuition, and include a $4000 stipend per year. However, this does not cover the full Cost of Attendance associated with attending the University for the year. To optimize your chances of receiving the very best Financial Aid available, you are strongly encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at http://fafsa.govApplication for the FAFSA is available October 1st and its priority deadline is February 1st of each year.

The Regents and Presidential Scholarships are administered by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs at UH Hilo, UH Mānoa, and UH West Oʻahu in cooperation with the UH System Office of the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs.

UH Mānoa Applicants

In keeping with the philosophy of excellence and engagement expected of Regents and Presidential Scholars recipients, UH Mānoa scholars are required to be part of the Honors Program.

  1. It is required that applicants submit their application to the UH Mānoa Honors program in addition to submitting their Regents and Presidential Scholarship application. This includes an interview with a member of the Honors faculty, by May 1st.
  2. It is required for UH Mānoa Freshman Regent Scholars to live on campus in UH Mānoa housing on the Regent Scholars/Honors designated floor during their first year of school. All new Regent Scholars will need to submit a housing application no later than the May 1 housing application deadline and indicate you are a Regent Scholar in the notes section of the application.

Apply for the scholarship

Mānoa

Financial Aid Services
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
2600 Campus Road, QLCSS 112
Honolulu, HI 96822

  (808) 956-7251
  finaid@hawaii.edu

Regent Scholarship information visit: http://www.hawaii.edu/fas/info/nws.php
Presidential Application information visit: http://www.hawaii.edu/fas/info/presidential_scholarship.php

UHM RAPS are part of the UHM Honors Program, which provides personalized advising, priority registration, small Honors courses, small classes, and support for faculty- mentored independent work in the student’s major. Applicants for the UHM RAPS Scholarship must also submit an application to the UHM Honors Program.
Regents Scholars apply here: http://manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/honors/apply-as-a-first-year/
Presidential Scholars apply here: http://manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/honors/ud-admissions/
Learn more about Honors: http://manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/honors/

Hilo

Shana Kaneshiro
Financial Aid Counselor
University of Hawaiʻi Hilo

  (808) 932-7714
  shanak@hawaii.edu

Financial Aid Office
University of Hawaiʻi Hilo
200 W. Kāwili St.
Hilo, HI 96720

(808) 932-7449
  uhhfao@hawaii.edu

More information visit: https://hilo.hawaii.edu/financialaid/WhatsAvailable.php#Scholarship

West Oʻahu

Financial Aid Office
University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu
Building C- 141
91-1001 Farrington Hwy
Kapolei, HI 96707

  (808) 689-2900
  uhwo.finaid@hawaii.edu

For more information and application: https://westoahu.hawaii.edu/financial-aid/grants-and-scholarships/

Travel Grants

RAPS scholars are eligible to use their travel grant, up to $ 2000, to further their academic studies and enhance their educational program. The grant must be used within the time frame of your RAPS scholarship and must be directly aligned with your field of study.

In order to use the grant, you must provide:

  1. Turn in a RAPS Travel Grant Proposal to your campus academic adviser prior to booking
  2. Turn in a budget of all related expenses along with proposal

If approved, after travel you must turn in the Travel Completion form with all original receipts for approved expenses to your academic adviser to be eligible for reimbursement. Go to our travel grants page for instructions and forms.

Advising Contacts

Mānoa

Dr. Siobhán Ní Dhonacha
Physical Science Building 206

Dr. Vernadette Gonzalez – Presidential Scholars
Sinclair 106/101

  (808) 956-8391
  honors@hawaii.edu

You can schedule an appointment via the online scheduler below.

http://manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/honors/advising/

Hilo

Shana Kaneshiro
SSC E-119

  (808) 974-7714
  shanak@hawaii.edu

West Oʻahu

Ellen Lokelani Kenolio
C 149
(808) 689-2755
  kenolio@hawaii.edu

Visit our Past Awardees page to see previous years Regent and Presidential Scholars.

Contact

Regents and Presidential Scholars
System Office of Student Affairs
2444 Dole Street
Bachman Annex 9-6
Honolulu, HI 96822

  (808) 956-8753
avpsa@hawaii.edu

Last modified: October 18, 2022