Applicants who are in need of financial assistance should seek it simultaneously from as many different sources as possible. This would include, but should not be limited to, the various forms of financial aid available through the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Financial Aid Services Office and the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, Department of Social Work.

The best and most comprehensive forms of financial aid are often found through other public and private sources. Although the school makes every effort to distribute information about additional resources based on notices received, students and applicants should not rely upon this as their primary source of information.

The Department of Social Work does not offer any graduate teaching assistant positions for MSW or PhD students at this time. Graduate research assistantships, when available, are posted on the UH employment website, Work at UH (http://workatuh.hawaii.edu/). Further information about graduate assistantships can be found on the Graduate Division website at http://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/content/graduate-assistants.

Paid practicum/field placements and training stipends are sometimes available, and information on these opportunities is distributed to students by the Department’s Practicum Office and/or Project Directors as it becomes available, usually during the school year.

UHM Financial Aid Services

The UH Mānoa Financial Aid Services Office administers the University student assistance program, which includes federal work study, scholarships, grants, and loans. More information and application forms can be obtained by contacting the UHM Financial Aid Services Office by phone at (808) 956-7251 or by visiting their website at http://www.hawaii.edu/fas/.

Department of Social Work Administered Financial Aid

Several scholarships and financial awards are administered through the Department of Social Work. Application for Department of Social Work administered financial aid is through common application forms for each of the degree programs. Additional materials may be required for specific scholarships and awards. Application information will be updated in Spring 2024.  Check back for additional information or email swadmit@hawaii.edu and ask to be updated when the information goes live.

Please note that continued availability and terms of the scholarships and awards described here are subject to change at the discretion of their sponsors.

Mānoa Achievement Scholarships are available to a limited number of full-time students who are enrolled in a Department of Social Work degree program at UH Mānoa and are in good academic standing.

The Hoa Hana Scholarship was established to assist students commuting from neighbor islands to complete their education at the Department of Social Work. Preference will be given to those who currently reside on a neighbor island and express an intention to practice in the field of social work on a neighbor island.

For Department of Social Work Scholarships (BSW, MSW, PhD) 

Gordon & June Ito Foundation

The Gordon & June Ito Foundation Social Work Scholarship is open to full-time MSW students entering into the Concentration year of the Master’s program. Candidates must declare Gerontology or Health as their focus area, register for either SW 726: Practice w/the Aged, or SW 722: Practice in Health Care, and/or who will be registering for a 2nd year practicum in Gerontology or Health. Candidates are selected based upon scholastic merit, student involvement, community service, financial need and an essay. Selected applicants will be interviewed by representatives of the Foundation for final determination of awardees. Application information and materials will be made available through the Department of Social Work, Student Services Office. For more information, please contact Cathy Iwai, Executive Director: ciwai@icfsnf.com.

National Association of Social Workers, Hawai‘i Chapter

NASW Student Community Service Scholarship supports three scholarships of $1,000 each to be awarded to three students who are currently enrolled in a BSW, MSW or PhD social work program at Brigham Young University, Hawai‘i; Hawai‘i Pacific University; and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (to be awarded to one student from each of the three programs). Applicants must document a single or ongoing significant contribution to their community, are members of NASW, and are in good academic standing at their social work program. Applicants must highlight in a personal statement the type of service(s) they are providing in the community. Application information and materials will be made available through the Department of Social Work, Student Services Office. For further inquiries, please email: info@naswhi.org.

Additional Sources of Financial Aid

The University of Hawai‘i Foundation – For more information, visit the UH Foundation website at https://www.uhfoundation.org, call (808) 956-8849 or 1-866-846-4262, or write to University of Hawai‘i Foundation, P.O. Box 11270, Honolulu, HI 96828-0270.

The Office of Multicultural Student Services – For more information, visit http://opmanong.ssc.hawaii.edu, or contact the Office of Multicultural Student Services, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Queen Lili‘uokalani Center for Student Services 309, 2600 Campus Road, Honolulu, HI 96822.

The Hawai‘i Community Foundation – For information on available scholarships and how to apply can be obtained by visiting http://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/, e-mailing scholarships@hcf-hawaii.org, or calling (808) 566-5570 (1-888-731-3863 toll-free from neighbor islands).

Kamehameha Schools – For more information, please visit their website at http://www.ksbe.edu/finaid/, e-mail finaid@ksbe.edu, or call 1-800-842-4682, dial 9, then x48080.

Ke Ali‘i Pauahi Foundation – For more information, please visit their website at http://www.pauahi.org/scholarships/, or contact their office by phone at (808) 534-3966 or by e-mail to scholarships@pauahi.org.

The East-West Center – For application forms and information, visit the East-West Center website at http://www.eastwestcenter.org/, or contact the East-West Center Award Services Office at (808) 944-7735 or 1601 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96848-1601, USA.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) – For more information, visit the AAUW website at https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/.

The Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program – For more information, visit http://www.nhhsp.org/ or call (808) 585-8944.