About this Funding
Purpose and outcomes for the Project Equal Access project:
- To prepare high-quality and diverse special education teachers
- To reduce financial barriers in pursuit of a special education teacher career
- To promote equity in access and support for those living in rural & remote areas of the state
Funding
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$1,350 is provided for students living on Oahu and $1,600 for students living on neighboring islands, which would be provided as a lump sum (one-time) payment to assist with additional program costs, such as textbooks, technology, travel to and from field sites, travel from neighboring islands to attend face-to-face sessions at UH Mānoa, or can be used to help offset student teaching requirements.
Meet some of our Hawkins Scholars
Eligibility Criteria
Stipend Eligibility Criteria
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Must be currently enrolled in a UH Mānoa initial teacher licensure program in special education and in good standing.
Eligible UHM Programs
- Bachelor of Education, Early Childhood & Early Childhood Special Education
- Bachelor of Education, Exceptional Students & Elementary Education
- Bachelor of Special Education
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Special Education (Note: Add-a-field candidates are not eligible)
- Master of Education in Teaching, Dual Secondary + Special Education
Additional priority consideration will be given to candidates who meet one or more of the following:
- Candidates of color and diverse backgrounds
- Candidates who are bilingual or multilingual
- Candidates from, or who teach in, underrepresented & rural communities across the state
- Have not already received the Project Equal Access grant funding in previous semesters
Application Information
Link to Application Form
bit.ly//CandidateScholarshipApplication (Link is case sensitive)
Deadline to Apply: Ongoing – Apply anytime while enrolled
Since the application is a google form, we recommend that you draft and write your open-ended responses using this template (make a copy) and then paste it into the application form button below when you are ready to submit. There is no formal word count requirement.
Before you apply
This stipend is potentially taxable and needs to be reported to the IRS. If you are receiving any financial aid, you are highly encouraged to contact UH Financial Aid Services to determine how this stipend may impact your existing funds, scholarships, grants, etc. Click here to read about receiving additional assistance.
UH Financial Aid Services Contact Info
- Email: finaid@hawaii.edu
- Contact UH FinAid Virtual Front Desk
- Monday-Friday, 9AM – 3PM (HST)
- Excluding state & federal holidays
- Federal School Code: 001610
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t meet all the priority criteria areas?
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As long as you are currently enrolled in one of the identified programs for the current or upcoming semester, you would be eligible to apply for this funding. You do not need to meet every single one of the priority criteria listed. The priority criteria will be used to determine who receives funding if there are more eligible applicants than we are able to provide funding for.
Does taking the Hawaii DOE SPED stipend for tuition impact my eligibility for this grant funding?
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No, this funding is completely separate from the tuition funding that is provided in partnership with the Hawai‘i DOE. The purpose of this grant funding is to provide additional financial support that can be used towards other programmatic-related costs (e.g., books, technology needs, travel costs).
How will the scholarship be provided?
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Recipients of this scholarship will receive a one-time check in the mail. A direct deposit option is not available.
Have other questions or need help?
Please reach out to our Project Equal Access Coordinator, Leina`ala Kealoha (lolivas@hawaii.edu)