How to Apply: Undergraduate Students
Find out how to apply to the Exchange, Hoakipa, and Independent Visiting Student programs at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, and the deadlines for submitting your application.
Nomination & Application Deadlines
Fall Semester (August – December)
- Nomination Period: December 1 – February 1
- Application Period: December 1 – March 1
Spring Semester (January – May)
- Nomination Period: July 1 – September 1
- Application Period: July 1 – October 1
Applying as an Exchange or Hoakipa Visiting Student
Our Exchange program and Hoakipa Visiting Student program are open to students who are currently enrolled at one of our 90+ partner universities around the world. If your home university does not have a formal Exchange or Hoakipa agreement with the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, please scroll down to learn about applying as an Independent Visiting Student. Please note that if you already have an undergraduate degree you must follow the application instructions for Postgraduate Students instead, even if your current program is also at the undergraduate level. Students with bachelor’s degrees are considered postgraduate applicants by UH Mānoa.
Before you apply:
Applicants for the Exchange or Hoakipa Visiting Student programs must first be nominated by one of our exchange partner institutions before they can apply to the MIX Program. To begin the process, students should contact their home university’s exchange or international office. Home university representatives may request access to the nomination form by contacting us at inbound@hawaii.edu.
In order to be eligible for the undergraduate Exchange or Hoakipa Visiting Student program, applicants:
- Must be currently enrolled at one of our partner universities
- Must be nominated as an Exchange or Hoakipa visiting student by your home university exchange office
- Must meet our English language requirements
- Have a cumulative GPA equivalent to at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Cannot hold any previous bachelor degree (students pursuing additional bachelor degrees may enquire about applying as a Postgraduate Applicant instead)
To apply to the program, the following is required:
- MIX Program Application
- UH Mānoa Undergraduate Application
- Official transcript(s) (see requirements)
- Proof of English language proficiency (see requirements)
- Copy of your passport’s biographical information page
- MIX Financial Certification Form – not required for U.S. citizens or permanent residents
- MIX Participation, Assumption of Risk, Consent, Waiver, Release and Indemnity Agreement for Incoming Students
Links to applications and forms are provided in the steps below.
Application steps:
Students must complete both applications:
2. UH Mānoa Undergraduate Application
MIX Program Undergraduate Application Fee Info:
- Exchange Students are not required to pay the application fee for the UH Mānoa Undergraduate Application. Please see the Application Guidelines for information on requesting the Application Fee waiver. Unfortunately we have no ability to request a refund if the application fee is paid accidentally.
- Hoakipa Visiting Students and Independent Visiting Students are required to pay the application fee to have their application processed.
All undergraduate applicants, including Exchange Students, Hoakipa Visiting Students, and Independent Visiting Students, are required to provide their most recent, official transcript as a part of their application. If a transcript appears unofficial or has been tampered with, UH Mānoa may request that an official transcript be mailed by the original institution directly to our office.
Submission Methods:
- Through the Dropbox link sent via email to the home university coordinator
- By mail in their original, sealed envelope
- Through email from the original institution to inbound@hawaii.edu – cannot be sent by the student
- Via a certified digital platform (such as eQuals) to inbound@hawaii.edu
Translations: If English is not the primary language of your institution, you must provide an official copy of your documents in the native language and an official translation in English.
Notarized Copies: Notarized copies from the issuing institution are accepted if sent directly by that institution. Documents notarized by a different institution will not be valid.
English proficiency test score (if needed): The list of eligible tests and exceptions can be found on our English Language Requirements page.
Submission Methods:
- Through the Dropbox link sent via email to the home university coordinator
- Sent directly to the UH Mānoa Undergraduate Admissions office by the testing authority
Once you have submitted your MIX Application, you will receive an email with a link to the student Dropbox document upload form. Please use the Dropbox link to submit the following documents:
- High quality color scan of your passport biographical information page
- MIX Financial Certification Form (not required for U.S. citizens or permanent residents) – If not completing Section 3 of this form, please include a copy of your sponsor’s recent bank statement or an official bank letter with proof of sufficient funding.
- MIX Participation, Assumption of Risk, Consent, Waiver, Release and Indemnity Agreement for Incoming Students – Select an option for your personal records, then sign and date the form
Submission Methods:
- Through the student Dropbox link sent to you via email
- By email to inbound@hawaii.edu
If you did not receive a link to the document upload Dropbox form after completing the MIX Online Application, please first check your Spam folder. If you are unable to find the Dropbox link, email inbound@hawaii.edu and we can resend.
Once your application is complete:
After you have completed the application process, please allow some time for your applications and materials to be reviewed. Upon admission, you will receive a series of emails from inbound@hawaii.edu, the inbox for our Mānoa International Exchange (MIX) Inbound team:
- Acceptance Email – this is considered your official acceptance letter and includes your assigned UH Student ID Number. A PDF version is available upon request.
- Welcome Guide – includes information on your next pre-arrival steps, housing, course registration, and program expectations.
- Form I-20 Delivery & Instructions – If you need a U.S. student visa to study at UH Mānoa, you will receive the Form I-20 via email within 5-7 business days after your Acceptance Email. You will use the Form I-20 for the F-1 student visa status. For more detailed information on the visa application process, please see the Visas page on the ISS website. Note: If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or have confirmed attendance through another visa type, you will not be issued an I-20.
You will continue to receive emails from inbound@hawaii.edu throughout your MIX Program. If you have any questions, or do not receive any emails as intended (make sure to check your spam folders as well), please contact us at inbound@hawaii.edu.
Applying as an Independent Visiting Student
If your home university does not have a formal Exchange or Hoakipa agreement with the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, you can apply for our Independent Visiting Student program. Students can apply for this program independently or with the assistance of their home university. Please note that if you already have an undergraduate degree you must follow the application instructions for Postgraduate Students instead, even if your current program is also at the undergraduate level. Students with bachelor’s degrees are considered postgraduate applicants by UH Mānoa.
Before you apply:
In order to be eligible for our Independent Visiting Student program, you must:
- Be currently enrolled at an accredited tertiary institution
- Meet our English language requirements
- Have a cumulative GPA equivalent to at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Cannot hold any previous bachelor degree (students pursuing additional bachelor degrees may enquire about applying as a Postgraduate Applicant instead)
To apply to the program, the following is required:
- MIX Program Application
- UH Mānoa Undergraduate Application
- Official transcript(s) (see requirements)
- Proof of English language proficiency (see requirements)
- Copy of your passport’s biographical information page
- MIX Financial Certification Form – not required for U.S. citizens or permanent residents
- MIX Participation, Assumption of Risk, Consent, Waiver, Release and Indemnity Agreement for Incoming Students
Links to applications and forms are provided in the steps below.
Application steps:
Students must complete both applications:
2. UH Mānoa Undergraduate Application
UH Mānoa Undergraduate Application Fee Info:
- Independent Visiting Students are required to pay the application fee to have their application processed
All undergraduate applicants, including Exchange Students, Hoakipa Visiting Students, and Independent Visiting Students, are required to provide their most recent, official transcript as a part of their application. If a transcript appears unofficial or has been tampered with, UH Mānoa may request that an official transcript be mailed by the original institution directly to our office.
Submission Methods:
- By mail in their original, sealed envelope
- Through email from the original institution to inbound@hawaii.edu – cannot be sent by the student
- Via a certified digital platform (such as eQuals) to inbound@hawaii.edu
Translations: If English is not the primary language of your institution, you must provide an official copy of your documents in the native language and an official translation in English.
Notarized Copies: Notarized copies from the issuing institution are accepted if sent directly by that institution. Documents notarized by a different institution will not be valid.
English proficiency test score (if needed): The list of eligible tests and exceptions can be found on our English Language Requirements page.
Submission Method:
- Official test scores must be sent directly to the UH Mānoa Undergraduate Admissions office by the testing authority
Once you have submitted your MIX Application, you will receive an email with a link to the student Dropbox document upload form. Please use the Dropbox link to submit the following documents:
- High quality color scan of your passport biographical information page
- MIX Financial Certification Form (not required for U.S. citizens or permanent residents) – If not completing Section 3 of this form, please include a copy of your sponsor’s recent bank statement or an official bank letter with proof of sufficient funding.
- MIX Participation, Assumption of Risk, Consent, Waiver, Release and Indemnity Agreement for Incoming Students – Select an option for your personal records, then sign and date the form
Submission Methods:
- Through the student Dropbox link sent to you via email
- By email to inbound@hawaii.edu
If you did not receive a link to the document upload Dropbox form after completing the MIX Online Application, please first check your Spam folder. If you are unable to find the Dropbox link, email inbound@hawaii.edu and we can resend.
Once your application is complete:
After you have completed the application process, please allow some time for your applications and materials to be reviewed. Upon admission, you will receive a series of emails from inbound@hawaii.edu, the inbox for our Mānoa International Exchange (MIX) Inbound team:
- Acceptance Email – this is considered your official acceptance letter and includes your assigned UH Student ID Number. A PDF version is available upon request.
- Welcome Guide – includes information on your next pre-arrival steps, housing, course registration, and program expectations.
- Form I-20 Delivery & Instructions – If you need a U.S. student visa to study at UH Mānoa, you will receive the Form I-20 via email within 5-7 business days after your Acceptance Email. You will use the Form I-20 for the F-1 student visa status. For more detailed information on the visa application process, please see the Visas page on the ISS website. Note: If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or have confirmed attendance through another visa type, you will not be issued an I-20.
You will continue to receive emails from inbound@hawaii.edu throughout your MIX Program. If you have any questions, or do not receive any emails as intended (make sure to check your spam folders as well), please contact us at inbound@hawaii.edu.