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How is the Foundation funded?

The Foundation's operating budget comes from four primary sources:

  • A contracted amount paid by the University of Hawaiʻi to the Foundation for fundraising and alumni relations services.
  • An annual assessment on the market value of the endowment. The current endowment administrative fee is 1.5%. The amount is determined annually and is applied quarterly.
  • Interest on short-term investments.
  • A one-time administrative assessment of 5% on all incoming gifts, including endowment gifts and other non-gift income.
How UHF and UH work together
UH Foundation logo

University of Hawaiʻi Foundation (UHF) works closely with university leaders, but is an independent, non-profit foundation that is legally separate from the university and the State of Hawaiʻi. The Foundation is the primary fundraising organization that raises private money for the university, and ensures that gifts are used according to donors' wishes and that funds are managed wisely so future generations will benefit from them.

UH System Logo

The University of Hawaiʻi System includes 10 campuses and dozens of educational, training and research centers across the Hawaiian Islands. As the public system of higher education in Hawaiʻi, UH offers opportunities as unique and diverse as our Island home. Visit the UH System website at www.hawaii.edu.

Why am I getting telephone calls from the Foundation?

The student callers in the Foundation's Annual Giving program make calls to:

  • Keep our alumni connected with the university and give our donors the opportunity to speak with students about their shared experiences attending a UH campus.
  • Secure gifts to support the growth of the university.
  • Update the alumni database.
Who governs the Foundation?

The Board of Trustees comprised of leaders in business or civic affairs. Many are UH alumni. Trustees are volunteers and serve without compensation, contributing their time, wisdom, and resources for the university. They provide external oversight of the Foundation's operations. Trustees meet at least four times a year as a body, and also participate in committees throughout the year. The president of the Foundation reports to them.

Who decides how the money is invested?

The Investment Committee of the Foundation's Board of Trustees, working in concert with the Foundation's investment advisor (Cambridge Associates), establishes the strategic asset allocation and selection of investment managers.

How can I afford to help a UH campus or program?

Every single dollar is counted, and serves as an investment in UH. In the fiscal year ending 6/30/20, more than 17,000 alumni and friends contributed to the UH campus, college or program of their choice. Together they gave/pledged more than $84.7 million in outright gifts, pledges, deferred and conditional commitments and bequest intentions to the 10 campuses of the UH System.

What services does the Foundation provide for the University of Hawaiʻi?

As the central fundraising agency for the University of Hawaiʻi System, the Foundation conducts campaigns for university priorities and provides central services to raise funds, manage assets and investments, and administer gift accounts for the university. Additionally, the Office of Alumni Relations at the UH Foundation serves as the primary contact between the 10 campuses of the UH system and its more than 310,000 alumni.

The Foundation:

  • Provides resources and specialists in major gifts and foundation, corporate, and annual and planned giving.
  • Solicits contributions to benefit all units and campuses of the UH System.
  • Conducts feasibility studies and planning for fundraising campaigns.
  • Coordinates relationships with prospective major donors.
  • Acknowledges and thanks all donors.
  • Manages donor recognition and stewardship circles.
  • Produces fundraising proposals.
  • Sponsors donor recognition and stewardship events.
  • Offers professional services to UH departments, donors, and their advisors on planned gifts, wills, and trusts.
  • Provides training for development officers, volunteers, and administrators.
  • Manages investments with a total market value of $341.4 million.
  • Provides accounting services for more than 7,000 accounts.
  • Administers more than 1,800 student aid accounts for the benefit of UH students.
  • Provides IRS-auditable receipts to donors.
Why is there an administrative fee?

It takes money, time, and staff to raise money even for the most noble causes. The UH Foundation is challenged by two simple questions - first, how do we "fund" our fundraising efforts and, second, how do we keep those expenses as low as possible so more of our donor's gift can go to UH? The Foundation plays a pivotal role in raising the resources that will help our university forever fulfill the educational dreams of the people of our state.

UH Foundation charges two fees to help us pay for the work that we do, which is raise funds for the university, manage the funds we raise, and distribute the funds to the university in accordance to the purpose intended by our donors.

  • Effective November 1, 2013, a one-time administrative fee of 5%. For example, if someone makes a gift of $1,000, then $50 goes to the Foundation for operating costs and $950 goes to the purpose designated by the donor. 95% of all the money we raise is used entirely for the purpose intended by the donor. Very little of a donor's gift is used to support the Foundation itself.
  • The second fee is an endowment management fee of 1.5% annually. This fee usually comes from the earnings of the endowment.
How does the Foundation ensure funds are properly distributed for their intended purpose?
  • For each of the 6,000 donor accounts there is documentation that describes how the funds may be used. The University signs the documentation so they are aware of what expenditures may be made from the account.
  • For each account the University assigns at least two account administrators to approve expenditures from the account. The account administrators:
    • ensure all transactions are appropriate, reasonable and conform to the account's purpose.
    • provide accurate and complete supporting documentation
    • provide sufficient documentation to clearly indicate the benefit to the University
  • The Foundation has a policy that describes how the funds may be used.
  • The Foundation reviews the expenditure requests approved by the account administrators to ensure the expenditure:
    • is properly approved
    • has a valid business purpose
    • has the appropriate documentation
    • is in compliance with the Foundation’s spending policy
    • is consistent with the donor's intent
    • The Foundation provides an online system for the account administrators to review and verify the activity for each of their accounts.
What is the University of Hawai‘i Foundation IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN)

This is a tax identification number assigned to all entities which employ people, pay pensions, or open business bank accounts. This number is usually required on Federal application cover pages or their Representation and Certification page.

IRS Employer Identification Number:
99-0085260


Annual Giving FAQs

What is an Annual Gift?

These are gifts that are typically made annually by alumni and friends in response to direct-mail appeals, phone calls, or via online giving. Many of these gifts are then matched by the donor's employer through corporate matching gift programs.

What do Annual Gifts support?

Annual gifts generally support the Advancement Fund (or discretionary fund) for the particular UH campus, college or program to which the annual gift was made. These gifts — the highest priority gifts — provide the chancellor, dean or director with much-needed operating funds that augment state funds and tuition dollars. Occasionally, donors designate their annual gifts for specific purposes, such as scholarship assistance, faculty development, or technology improvements.

Why are Annual Gifts important?

The University of Hawaiʻi System is experiencing declining revenue from state and federal sources, resulting in reduced operating budgets throughout the 10 campuses. State funds and tuition dollars alone fail to meet the budget needs of a campus, college or program.

Annual gifts augment state funds and tuition dollars and not only help maintain existing programs, but enhance them and allow for the planning and implementation of promising new programs.

Who benefits from Annual Gifts?

Everyone — students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and the community — benefits from annual gifts made to UH. The funds provided by annual gifts allow chancellors, deans, and directors to take advantage of a wide variety of opportunities such as:

  • providing scholarship assistance to bright and deserving students,
  • bringing visiting lecturers to UH campuses to speak with the campus and local community,
  • sending faculty members to conferences and other professional-development opportunities,
  • enhancing athletic and co-curricular student activities,
  • making technology and facilities improvements.

Without annual gifts, many of the above opportunities would otherwise be lost.

How do I make an Annual Gift?

Annual gifts can be made through direct-mail appeals, phone pledges, and online giving.

DIRECT MAIL APPEALS

Each year, the UH Foundation, on behalf of the various campuses, colleges, and programs of the UH System, mails a solicitation to the alumni and friends of that particular UH unit. These letters allow the chancellor, dean or director to write to his or her alumni and friends to provide an update and to solicit support for that unit. Each year, thousands of donors respond to these direct-mail appeals.

PHONE PLEDGES

The Annual Giving Student Calling Center employs UH students who are well-trained and eager to reach out to alumni and friends of the various UH programs to update them on what is happening at their UH campus, college or program, answer questions the alum or friend may have and to ask for their financial support for that UH unit. Most UH alumni enjoy the opportunity to speak with a current student and find the phone call a rewarding experience. Last year, students of the Calling Center enjoyed speaking with more than 46,000 UH alumni and friends resulting in over $1.1 million in gift pledges.

ONLINE GIVING

Unlike direct-mail appeals and the Student Calling Center where we are reaching out to you, most online gifts come from alumni and friends who visit our website to make a secure credit card gift and support the UH college, campus or program of their choice. Online gifts are also the most cost-efficient method to make an annual gift as the UH Foundation foregoes expenses related to mailings or phone calls.
Make an online gift now

CORPORATE MATCHING GIFTS

Many corporations have Matching Gift programs where a corporation will match gifts their employees make to qualified charities (including the UH Foundation). Matching Gift policies vary from company to company, so please check with your Human Resources Office to see if your employer matches charitable gifts. Many companies will also match charitable gifts of their retirees and employee spouses.

Where does my Annual Gift go?

You determine where you want your gift to go — you select the UH campus, college or program that you want to benefit from your annual gift. Many Annual Giving donors support multiple UH campuses, colleges, and programs.

You can also decide to make an undesignated gift, which will then benefit the UH Fund for Excellence. The fund supports the student callers who work to raise private gifts on behalf of the university and Annual Giving campaigns at the UH Foundation. These programs raise funds for all 10 campuses of the UH System.

When should I make my Annual Gift?

Annual gifts can be made any day of the year — and thanks to online giving, any time of the day or night. The university's fiscal year is July 1 through June 30 and the Office of Annual Giving uses this fiscal year when determining giving in a particular year.

Typically, once you make an annual gift to a particular campus, college or program, the Office of Annual Giving won't contact you regarding another gift to that program for the remainder of the fiscal year. Therefore, making annual gifts early in the fiscal year leads to less mail and few or no phone calls from the Office of Annual Giving.

 

small portion of all gifts to the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation is used to defray the cost of administering and raising private funds for the University of Hawaiʻi.


Endowments FAQs

Who decides how the money is invested?

The Investment Committee of the Foundation's Board of Trustees, working in concert with the Foundation's investment advisor Cambridge Associates, sets the asset allocation and chooses the investment managers.

What are the benefits to creating an endowment?

Endowments are permanent. They are managed for prudent growth to ensure that earnings exceed inflation and that the donor's purpose is fulfilled in perpetuity. Endowments allow the university to budget the gift's use and count on it forever. Endowments to support faculty positions allow UH leadership to attract renowned experts, or retain our promising junior faculty. Any endowment moves UH forward permanently in the area designated by the donor.

Endowment Reports


Faculty & Staff FAQs

Fast Track to UH Foundation Training

Training slide deck available for download:
https://www.uhfoundation.org/sites/uhfoundation.org/files/finance/Fast_Track_to_UHF_Training.pdf

TRAINING VIDEOS

1. Overview and About UHF

2. Endowments and Account Establishment

3. Gift Processing

4. Expenditure Processing

5. Student Aid Administration

6. Finance Reports

What services does the Foundation provide for the University of Hawaiʻi?

As the central fundraising agency for the University of Hawaiʻi System, the Foundation conducts campaigns for university priorities and provides central services to raise funds, manage assets and investments, and administer gift accounts for the university. Additionally, the Office of Alumni Relations at the UH Foundation serves as the primary contact between the 10 campuses of the UH system and its more than 310,000 alumni.

The Foundation:

  • Provides resources and specialists in major gifts and foundation, corporate, and annual and estate and planned giving.
  • Solicits contributions to benefit all units and campuses of the UH System.
  • Conducts feasibility studies and planning for fundraising campaigns.
  • Coordinates relationships with prospective major donors.
  • Acknowledges and thanks all donors.
  • Produces fundraising proposals.
  • Sponsors donor recognition and stewardship events.
  • Maintains a central records service for all donors and alumni.
  • Offers professional services to UH departments, donors, and their advisors on planned gifts, wills, and trusts.
  • Provides training for development officers, volunteers, and administrators.
  • Responds to more than 200 requests per month for research and reports.
  • Manages investments with a total market value of more than $341.4 million
  • Provides accounting services for more than 6,000 accounts and responds to more than 1600 account service requests per month.
  • Administers more than 1,500 aid accounts for the benefit of UH students.
  • Provides IRS-auditable receipts to donors.
Does the Foundation make grants?

The Foundation is a fundraising rather than a fund granting institution. UH faculty or staff looking for project funding should consult the chair or dean and UHF development officer of their unit. The Foundation may be able to assist in securing project funding.

Why doesn't the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation provide more funding for my department?

The Foundation's fundraising staff works to raise money for the University of Hawaiʻi System. They work hard to find major donors interested in supporting the schools' projects, and they develop appropriate solicitations for modest, annual gifts from alumni and friends.

The priority in fundraising is given to projects identified by deans and chancellors. To find out where your funding needs fall on the priority list, visit with your dean or department chair.

The Foundation staff can consult with you to help you assess and meet both your long term and short-term funding needs.

How can I get help raising funds for my department or project?

First, discuss your needs with the appropriate department chair or dean. This person will work with you to clear the request through the university's normal administrative channels. The Foundation's development officer responsible for fundraising in your area also will be glad to advise you. The final decision about what projects to pursue is made by the Foundation, according to university priorities.

I've heard there are foundations that faculty may not approach. Which foundations are on this list and why?

There is not an official "list" of foundations that are off limits. There is, however, a process run by UHF whereby foundations and individuals are 'cleared' to specific colleges or units for a period of time so that fundraisers, or their designees, may work exclusively with the prospective donor. This process helps ensure UHF's approaches to foundation and individuals are coordinated and managed in a way that is responsive to both the donor's interests and the institution's priorities. This process is not meant to prohibit faculty activity but rather to provide a means for facilitating campus communication about fundraising activities.

If you're interested in approaching a foundation for support, please contact Foundation Relations or the fundraiser representing your college to determine the current status.

There are some instances where a foundation limits the number of proposals UHF may submit during a given time. In these cases, UHF will consult with academic leadership to determine which one(s) will go forward on behalf of the institution.

The grant application guidelines: annual budget, board members, mission statement, other general informational.

Should these materials pertain to my project, my department, my college, or the university?

Since the gift is being made to the UHF on behalf on the university, the required documentation typically pertains to UHF. In some cases we are required to send information about the university (and not UHF) and in others we submit both. Please contact the UHF's Office of Foundation and Corporate Relations for assistance in this matter.

How long should my foundation proposal be and am I allowed to include attachments and supplemental materials?

Often a maximum page length is specified in the application guidelines. If no page length is mentioned, follow the rule that shorter is better.

Private foundations will usually supply guidelines regarding required attachments and supplemental materials. As a general rule, only include items directly relevant to the project and do not relegate key pieces of information to the attachments.

Should I submit proposals to multiple foundations for the same project?

Avoid sending the same generic proposal to a number of foundations. Tailor your proposal carefully to the foundation's particular interests.

However, it's unlikely that a single foundation will be the sole funder of a project, so having a funding plan that considers more than one funder is beneficial to a fundraising strategy. A plan that includes multiple supporters will add credibility and stability to your project.

What happens to my grant funds once they are deposited in the Foundation?

When the funds are received, a designated account will be opened from which you may make expenditures as outlined in your proposed budget. Most project expenses may be paid directly from Foundation accounts. For payment of some expenses, such as salary, the funds may need to be transferred to an ORS account. Foundation staff will work with your department's financial officer to make the necessary arrangements.

What is the difference between a gift, grant and contract?

Gift: An irrevocable charitable contribution to the Foundation for the benefit of the University of Hawaiʻi system, which is intended as a donation, bestowed voluntarily and without expectation of tangible compensation and for which no contractual requirements are imposed. Gifts usually take the form of cash, checks, securities, real property, or personal property and may be current or deferred.

Grant: Revenues received from individuals, industry, foundations, and other sources, for the support of University programs and projects. Grants normally fall into two categories:

  1. Non Specific Grants are those received in support of restricted programs or projects, but which do not result from a specific grant proposal, no specific resources or services are committed, and no accounting of the use of the funds is required.
  2. Specific Grants are those received in accordance with the terms of approved grant proposals for specific programs and projects. Commitments of University's resources or services are made as a condition of the grant, and an accounting of the use of the funds may be required by the grantor.

Contract: Restricted payments received by the University from various contractors, made in accordance with the terms of contracts entered into by the University to conduct specific programs. Payments made pursuant to contracts are not gifts.

What are common foundation and corporation funding interests?

PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS PREFER TO FUND PROJECTS THAT:

  • Match their own stated goals and objectives. Most foundations state these on their websites.
  • Have a clear timeline.
  • Show evidence of institutional commitment.
  • Have a clear goal and measurable results.
  • Have never been done before.
  • Can have statewide, nationwide, or even worldwide impact.

THEY USUALLY DO NOT FUND:

  • Ongoing program needs
  • Endowments
  • Buildings
  • Repairs
  • Conferences

When searching for foundation support, please also be aware that a typical foundation cycle can take from 6-12 months from developing the proposal, submitting it, and having it reviewed, to receiving the award.

CORPORATIONS PREFER TO FUND PROJECTS THAT:

  • Have the potential to boost their profitability.
  • Provide a clear return on their investment.
  • Raise their profile in the community.

If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please contact your academic unit's development officer or CFR staff member if your proposal is for a gift or a grant. You may contact CFR office by phone or email.


Scholarship Donors FAQs

What is the difference between an endowed scholarship and an annual scholarship?
  • Endowed Scholarships create a permanent fund. Contributions are prudently invested to ensure the scholarship retains its value in perpetuity, and the scholarships created by the endowment are funded through the income generated by the endowment.
  • Annual Scholarships reflect a donor's commitment to support a scholarship for a specific number of years.
May I name a scholarship?

A donor may name the scholarship when the amount given meets the minimum funding requirements for an annual or endowed scholarship. Scholarships are often named after the donor, company, organization or to honor parents, professors or other important people in one's life. Alternatively, donors may choose to give to existing scholarship funds in the department or school of their choice.

May I have input into the selection of a recipient?

Scholarship donors may specify base criteria to be used when selecting the recipient. University representatives from the appropriate academic department use those criteria when choosing student recipients.

Will I meet my scholarship recipients?

The UH Foundation strives to create opportunities for donors and scholarship recipients to meet. Many donors feel profound personal satisfaction when they meet the students whose education they made possible, and students are often eager to thank and meet their benefactor.

What is the best way to make my scholarship gift?

There are a number of ways to set up a scholarship: an outright gift may be made via check or credit card. There may be significant tax benefits if the gift is made using appreciated securities, by establishing a charitable trust, or by giving real property. Will bequests can also be used to create opportunities for students. The UH Foundation is here to assist you with those options. Please contact the University of Hawai‘i Foundation Scholarship Department or call (808) 376-7800.

How will the University of Hawaiʻi carry out my wishes?

UH Foundation staff will work with you to create a customized written gift agreement. The agreement reflects the purpose of the scholarship and recipient criteria as determined by you. The agreement outlines the responsibilities of the UH Foundation and the University of Hawaiʻi in awarding the scholarship.

What services does UHF provide to scholarship donors?
  • Annual report from the Scholarship Development Office notifying you of the recipient(s) of your scholarship each academic year.
  • All recipients are encouraged to send a letter of thanks which are forwarded by UH Foundation to their donor(s).
  • Invitation to the respective campus and/or college annual scholarship reception where donors and recipients will have the opportunity to meet and form a meaningful relationship.
  • For endowed funds, all donors receive an annual endowment report on the financial status of their fund. In addition, there is peace of mind that the fund will provide perpetual support for students according to the intended purpose.
  • All scholarships are advertised on the UH Foundation website and by the respective university campus or college.
  • Opportunities to engage with University and UH Foundation leadership, faculty, and staff through various campus, college, and foundation activities and events.
  • All scholarship gifts are tax deductible.
  • There is no greater gift than the opportunity for a student to pursue their dreams through higher education.


Student Scholarships FAQs

Overview

Where do UH Foundation (UHF) scholarships come from?

UHF Scholarships are funded by gifts from private donors (individuals, alumni, businesses, corporations, and other foundations). UHF is the fundraising arm for the University of Hawaiʻi and works with the donors of each scholarship to establish scholarship criteria. Selection of recipients is made by the respective college, department, or financial aid office at the benefiting UH campus.

Are UHF scholarships only for students enrolled at UH campuses?

Yes, UHF scholarships are only for students attending any of the ten UH campuses. UHF does not have scholarships for students attending other institutions. A UH student must be enrolled during the semester that the scholarship is awarded in order to receive the funds.

How many scholarships are available through UHF?

UH System-wide, UHF currently oversees about 1500 active scholarship accounts. In FY2020, UHF awarded $13.2 million to students attending UH campuses.

Will receiving a scholarship affect my financial aid?

Yes, any additional income the scholarship provides will be reported to financial aid and your financial aid package could be adjusted. Please contact your financial aid office if you have any questions about your aid.

Are there tax withholdings for UH Foundation scholarships?

A scholarship or fellowship is tax-free only if you are a candidate for a degree at an educational institution and if the scholarship is a qualified scholarship or fellowship. A qualified scholarship or fellowship is defined as amounts received for tuition and fees paid to enroll in, or to attend, an educational institution, or fees, books, supplies, and equipment that are required for the courses at the educational institution.

Searching

How can I search for scholarships at UHF?

UHF has a scholarship search available on our website. Searches can be done by keyword, campus, and/or area of study.

Hint: When using keywords, it's a good idea to use phrases describing criteria that you may be eligible for, such as area of study, region or residence, international student, Hawaiʻi high school, community service, or other distinctive phrases.

When should I start looking for and applying for scholarships?

Scholarship opportunities are generally announced as early as November or December the year before you are planning on attending UH. The actual application process starts as early as January 1st. Some campuses, colleges, and departments may offer scholarships for the Spring semester only. We suggest you inquire with your respective college or department in September, to see if they are offering Spring scholarships and be alert to any email notices or postings on bulletin boards advertising these opportunities.

Eligibility

How do I know what scholarships am I eligible for?

Please review the scholarship criteria listed for each individual scholarship on the UHF website, or for Mānoa students, scholarships listed on the STAR Search website. Most scholarships have criteria that are a combination of merit and financial need. If you do not meet qualifications for a particular scholarship, you will not be considered.

Will I still be eligible for a scholarship if I make any status or enrollment changes during the academic year at UH?

If the scholarship criteria specifies a particular requirement, such as full-time enrollment, a GPA minimum, or major in a specific area of study, and for whatever reason you no longer meet the scholarship requirements during the semester for which you were awarded, you would no longer be eligible for the scholarship and will not be awarded.

How do I determine if I am a State of Hawaiʻi resident?

UHF obtains your residency status from the University of Hawaiʻi Admissions Office. If you have questions or want to make changes regarding your residency status, please contact the appropriate University campus' Residency Officer, who has up-to-date information on all aspects of residency, and can determine if you can claim State of Hawaiʻi residency status. All residency decisions are based on Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules Title 20Chapter 4: Determination of Residency as Applied to Tuition and Admission.

Are international students eligible for UHF scholarships?

Yes, in most cases, international students are eligible for UHF scholarships. Unless the scholarship criteria specifically states that a recipient must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, an international student would be eligible for the scholarship.

Application/Selection

How do I apply for scholarships and who makes selection?

The application and selection process is administered by the respective University of Hawaiʻi campus, college, or department that best represents the scholarship conditions (e.g business scholarships are administered by the Shidler College of Business, engineering scholarships are administered by the College of Engineering, etc.). When searching for scholarships to apply for on the UHF website, please contact the administrator listed for each scholarship using the contact information provided.

In addition, many campus Financial Aid Offices offer online scholarship applications. Please see links to Financial Aid Office online applications below. To apply, you will have to create an account with a username and ID.

Links to UH financial aid online applications & information:

Who do I contact to find out if I have been awarded a scholarship?

The respective UH scholarship administrators should inform selected recipients before the beginning of the Fall semester around April-June. If you have not received a response regarding your scholarship application, please contact the respective UH college or department where you submitted your application.

What information or documents do I need to provide when applying for scholarships?

While application requirements will vary with each scholarship, common requests are: letters of recommendation from non-family members, an essay stating educational goals and aspirations, personal background, and history of volunteerism or community service, and possibly submission of educational transcripts.

Do I need to submit a FAFSA to be considered for scholarships?

You are not required to submit a FAFSA to qualify for most UHF scholarships, but it is recommended for every student to submit a FAFSA in order to receive a complete financial aid package, which may include scholarships. If the financial aid office is the administrator of the scholarship, it would require students to submit a FAFSA as an application to scholarships as well as other types of financial aid.

Are the scholarships on the UH STAR Scholarship Search the same scholarships at UH Foundation?

For UH Mānoa students, yes, the scholarships listed on the STAR Scholarship Search do include UH Foundation scholarships.

What to Expect Once Awarded?

What will my scholarship pay for?

Scholarship funding will generally be applied to a student's costs of attendance, including tuition, books and fees, and will be counted as part of your financial aid package. Please contact your financial aid office if you have any questions about your aid.

How will I be paid the scholarship?

For U.S. citizens and permanent resident, remaining balance will be reflected on your MYUH portal payment screen. The Cashiers Office will issue refunds either by mailed check or direct deposit by E-refund, which you can sign up for through your MYUH portal.

For international students, remaining balance will be sent to the International Student Services office (“ISS”). ISS will issue a refund if applicable.

When will I be paid the scholarship?

Scholarships for Fall and Spring semesters will be disbursed to students ten days before the first day of classes.

If I would like to write a thank you letter to the donor of my scholarship, who should I send my letter to?

Around the beginning of each semester for which you received the scholarship, following confirmation that you have met the scholarship criteria and have been paid, UHF will contact you via email to request that you write a thank you letter to your scholarship donor. UHF will forward the letter to your donor on your behalf. Please send all thank you letters to:

University of Hawaiʻi Foundation
c/o Scholarship Office
P.O. Box 11270
Honolulu, HI 96828-0270

Please see the Thanking Your Scholarship Donor section for more tips on how you can send your donor a personalized thank you letter.

If you have other questions, please feel free to send an email to us at i[email protected].