Dr. Niki Libarios #BeKindToAStudent Scholarship
Background
In memory of Tinalak’s Co-Founder, Dr. Niki Libarios who passed away in August 2017, the Council founded the Dr. Niki Libarios #BeKindToAStudent Scholarship. Along with serving as a co-founder of Tinalak, Dr. Libarios was the Director of the UHM-COE Office of Student Academic Services. A former academic advisor, community college counselor, and elementary school teacher, his research interests centered on Filipino recruitment, persistence, and community college transfer in higher education. In all of his work, Dr. Libarios lived by the motto #BeKindToAStudent. Having been a community college transfer student himself, he believed in paying it forward through kindness and empowerment.
For more information about Dr. Niki Libarios please see the following two articles:
Scholarship Details
The Dr. Niki Libarios #BeKindToAStudent Scholarship assists UHM COE undergraduate and graduate students who are committed to serving the Filipino community. Funds shall be used for but not limited to costs associated with attendance (e.g. tuition, books, fees, etc.), travel costs, stipend, etc. In addition, students may be asked to attend the annual Pamantasan Conference to participate and become more aware of Filipino issues in education.
$500-$1,000
Scholarships for undergraduate students will range from $500-1,000 depending on the availability of funds. Scholarships for graduate students will vary.
Deadline to Apply is March 15
Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year may be completed online beginning October 2024 and are due by March 15, 2025.
Application Components
A Google Form, including short answer questions, must be completed. Two letters of recommendation, one from a member of an academic institution and one from a member of a community organization, must also be submitted.
Criteria to Apply
Prospective recipients should have some degree of financial need, though not necessarily determined by federal guidelines. They must also show academic merit, as determined by the selection committee. In addition, they must meet these criteria.
UHM-COE Enrollment
Students must be enrolled either part- or full-time as an undergraduate or graduate student in the UHM College of Education at the time of scholarship application and disbursement.
Commitment to Filipinos
Students must demonstrate a commitment to serving the Filipino community.
CC Transfers & Hawai’i HS Graduates
Preference will be given to students who have graduated from high school in Hawai’i and/or who have transferred from a UH community college.
2025-2026 Application
Please Donate
Donations to the Dr. Niki Libarios #BeKindToAStudent Scholarship are also welcome. Please join us in honoring Dr. Libarios’ legacy and supporting Tinalak’s mission to inspire a new generation of educators through your generosity. We hope that the impacts of this support will be felt in Hawaiʻi’s Filipino communities and beyond.
*Donor site: http://bit.ly/bekindtoastudentdonate
*If you encounter technical difficulties, try an alternate browser such as Firefox or upload the page in incognito mode.
