College of Education, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Hawaii Pacific Foundation – Graduate Studies Funding

About this Partnership

The College of Education has established a partnership with the Hawai‘i Pacific Foundation (HPF) in support of strengthening Native Hawaiian communities and creating opportunities for future generations. Over $100,000 in funding is being provided in support of initiatives that create meaningful opportunities and address the diverse needs of our communities. We thank Hawai‘i Pacific Foundation for contributing to our efforts that foster growth, resilience, and lasting impact across Hawai‘i.

About this Initiative

This project is designed to retain and support high-quality Native Hawaiian educators. By providing graduate student financial support, current licensed teachers can pursue professional development and leadership opportunities offered through one of our online and statewide graduate program pathways. When pursuing a graduate program of study, educators gain new knowledge and competencies that support their work in the classroom and are often based on current best-research-based practices. Being in a program with other educators provides a professional learning community that often helps reignite the passion and desire to commit to the teaching profession. These efforts promote retention in the classroom and provide educators with career advancement and leadership opportunities within the state. In addition, the HIDOE pay scale promotes salary advancement and reclassification opportunities for every 15 credits of professional development obtained. Therefore, scholars receiving these funds could be compensated with an additional $3,000 – $6,000 each year after completion of their chosen program. Having higher salaries potentially leads to higher job satisfaction, reduces financial stress, and provides educators with the compensation they deserve.

With a continue commitment to support educators across the state and living on neighboring islands, this project will provide funding to current teachers who are living and teaching within Maui County (i.e., Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i). Participants can select and choose any online or hybrid graduate programs available within the College of Education.

HPF Funding Info

HPF funding recipients must:

  • be a current resident of Maui County (i.e., Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i)
  • identify as Native Hawaiian or part-Native Hawaiian
  • be a licensed teacher in a public, private, or charter school in Maui County
  • admitted to one of the identified College of Education graduate programs
  • submit a profile to be featured on the COE website

Funding support will cover five graduate students annually

  • Two (2) Graduate Certificate graduate students (15 credits of tuition, approx. $10,000 each)
  • Two (2) Master Degree graduate students (30 credits of tuition, approx. $20,000 each)
  • One (1) Doctoral Degree graduate student (40 credits of tuition, approx. $30,000)

The College of Education offers a variety of graduate programs and pathways in education. Programs offered through the online or hybrid format are eligible to pursue as part of this funding opportunity. Programs may differ in number of credits and format, therefore please refer to the program website for more detailed information. Note: Additional credits and/or travel costs associated with hybrid in-person requirements on Oahu are not included within the HPF funding allotment.

An example of available programs include:

Graduate Certificates

Master Degrees

Doctoral Degrees

*Add-a-field pathway. These programs are already approved through the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to be an added field for licensure once completed.

Link to application form: https://bit.ly/hpfgradfundingapplication

Deadline to apply:

  • Spring Admissions: October 1
  • Summer or Fall Admissions: March 1

The application has two parts:

  • Applicant Information
  • Short Essay Prompts
    • Why did you choose to become a teacher?
    • Why do you choose to continue teaching?
    • How is being Native Hawaiian important to you as an educator?
    • How do you see this program you are pursuing as beneficial and impacting you and your educational career?

In addition to supporting five candidates with tuition funding, this project includes a Graduate Assistantship (GA) opportunity in support of project initiatives, management and fiscal duties related to scholarship, research, travel, and assist with overseeing project outcomes and reporting.

If interested in being a GA for this project, please reach out to Janet Kim, coeinfo@hawaii.edu