For all questions related to the GSO Academic Enrichment Awards, email gsogrant@hawaii.edu. Mahalo!

• How can you check if you are a GSO fee-paying member?
  • Check your semester e-statement and look for view student account on MyUH > My Account > Student Account Activity > Check current semester for “Manoa Student Grad Fee”
  • If you paid this you are a fee paying member
• Can I apply for travel and accommodations?
  • No, in this new pilot you may only apply for one category: travel, accommodations, or registration for the event you are attending. You get to decide what your highest priority is
• Do I have to present at the event I’m attending?
  • No, you do not need to be a presenter to get GSO funding for attending an event. However, each application needs to have a letter of support from a faculty member which indicates that attendance at this event is important towards your degree achievement.
• Can the travel award be used for car rentals or other travel besides by plane?
  • GSO cannot pay for car rentals or any other per diem costs. If travel to your destination requires travel other than plane travel (bus or train) GSO can reimburse that as long as you have clear documentation and receipts for the non-airfare travel.
• What if my fee was paid for another person?
  • If paid by another person: need a scan of their credit card, their credit card statement showing the charge, and a signed & dated statement saying they are OK with payment being reimbursed to the awardee
• What is the maximum amount of time after an event that you are allowed to apply for a reimbursement award?
  • The continuation of the pilot focuses on applying within a specific period for events within that term. So if your event starts between Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2024 you should apply in the Fall 2024 cycle, even if the event hasn’t happened yet. If the event starts Jan 1 2025 or after, wait for the next cycle.
• Do I need flight comparisons, I’ve already bought my ticket and have the receipt?
  • Yes, flight comparisons are required by the UH fiscal department to award airfare. Please try to get flight comparisons, even for a ticket you have already purchased. If you absolutely cannot get flight comparisons, please contact the GSO office.
• What needs to be anonymized?
  • Any document that goes in your application with your name on it needs to be anonymized. This includes abstracts, letter of support, conference/event acceptance letter, etc. The GSO grant manager will not be correcting any applications so applications with non-anonymized documents will be rejected.
  • DO NOT anonymize any documents for the REIMBURSEMENT which you will submit once you have been awarded. 
• When do I submit reimbursement documents?
  • Please only submit reimbursement documents if you are awarded an Academic Enrichment Award. You will receive a letter from the GSO office informing you of your award and where to submit the reimbursement documents.
• What is the basic process of the AEA application?
  • You will be able to access the application once it opens through the GSO website. Please read the application carefully and submit all necessary components by the application deadline. Remember any documents for the application need to be anonymized
  • Keep a copy of your completed application for your own records
  • GSO will contact you after the peer review of applications to notify you of the acceptance status of your award. You will be prompted to submit reimbursement materials only if your application has been awarded