BYU-Hawaii, BYU Idaho, BYU in Provo, Utah and the Polynesian Cultural Center provided 37 Kahuku High graduates, who held their commencement ceremony in the Cannon Activities Center on June 3, with over $200,000 worth of scholarships this year.
"Because the economy has bounced back, this is the first year we've been able to give out so much," said Brenda Tuivuya, scholarship coordinator for the University. She explained the majority of the awards that went to Kahuku High graduates were BYU-Hawaii Ho'omana'o awards worth $5,320 each.
"These scholarships only go to students who have been accepted. In other words, we have to be their first choice," she said. "This is a major recruiting tool for us. The students have to maintain a 2.5 GPA to qualify."
Tuivuya pointed out BYU-Hawaii provides many other types of scholarships, which are divided into three broad categories: institutional scholarships, such as the Ho'omana'o Awards (which replaced Seminary scholarships as of 2002) and stake president's awards from the 12 Latter-day Saint community stakes in Hawaii; scholarships directly administered by each BYU-Hawaii department; and those awards funded by private donations.
"Both new and incoming students can try for the $500 departmental awards," Tuivuya said, adding the students have to work directly with their respective departments (and double-majors can only qualify for one award). She also explained BYU-Hawaii used to offer academic scholarships, but has since found the departmental awards better motivate students to graduate.
"Continuing students can apply for private donor scholarships," she continued. "As of March 1, we had 77 of these, but they actually include 258 individual awards, which collectively amount to about $300,000. Then we have departmental donor scholarships that target programs such as Hawaiian Studies and the School of Computing."
"In fact, we have an excellent range of scholarships available," Tuivuya said, noting these do not include outside scholarships, Pell grants for U.S. citizens, and the approximately 500 International Work Experience Scholarships (IWES) in which BYU-Hawaii students agree to work at the Polynesian Cultural Center and return home debt-free after graduation. The PCC and the University jointly administer these awards. Participating families must also commit to providing a portion of their students' support.
Tuivuya, who processes about 1,000 applications each semester, encourages anyone who thinks they may qualify to investigate the University's various scholarship options. "For example, we just did the private donor scholarships," she said, "some of which we didn't have any applicants for."
"I think it's just great we have so many scholarships here," she said. "Hopefully, our graduates can contribute their own donor funds some day."