University of Hawaiʻi launched a new scholarship program that encourages community college students in the university system to take the next step to continuing their education.
The Next Step Scholarship is now available for students at the seven University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges who earned an associate degree during the 2025–26 academic year or completed enough credits in an eligible pathway or major to transfer to a 4-year campus and achieve a higher degree.
Eligible students are already automatically accepted to a 4-year campus through a streamlined process that waives the application fee and eliminates the need to submit a new application.
Through the Next Step Scholarship program, students enrolled full-time, taking 12 or more credits, during the fall 2026 semester at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, University of Hawaiʻi Maui College or University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu will receive a $2,000 scholarship, while part-time students enrolled in 6 to 11 credits will receive $1,000.
“Transitioning to a 4-year university is a significant milestone, and we are committed to making that next step as seamless and affordable as possible,” said University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel in an announcement for the new scholarship. “These students have already demonstrated their commitment and academic readiness through their success at our community colleges. The Next Step Scholarship helps ensure finances do not stand in the way of completing their degrees and achieving their goals.”
All University of Hawaiʻi associate degree graduates who qualified for automatic admission were emailed information about the new scholarship. The scholarship was automatically awarded to 438 students who already started the transfer process, while another 1,156 students are eligible.
“For students who were automatically admitted but have not yet committed to a [University of Hawaiʻi] 4-year campus, we hope this scholarship provides an added incentive to continue their education,” said Hensel. “This scholarship is one example of the new strategies we are testing to expand access, increase enrollment, strengthen educational attainment and help build the workforce our state needs. It is good for our students and good for Hawaiʻi.”
All students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, if they have not already. It is not required to receive the Next Step Scholarship, but it can unlock additional federal, state and institutional financial aid that can be combined with the scholarship.
Students with questions about their automatic admission or enrollment process are encouraged to contact the admissions office at their chosen University of Hawaiʻi 4-year campus:
