Hawaii Education Association Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Hawaii Education Association

Mission and purpose
The Hawaii Education Association Scholarship Fund exists to help Hawaii educators, HEA members, and their dependents pursue educational opportunities that enable them to reach their full potential.

Overview
HEA provides multiple scholarships aimed at supporting current and future public school educators — including teachers, administrators, educational assistants, student teachers, college students, and graduating high school seniors. These awards are intended to assist with professional growth and degree attainment. To date, HEA has distributed several hundred thousand dollars to hundreds of recipients. Our aim is to support you in becoming the best educator you can be.

General eligibility and exclusions
- For member-based awards, eligibility is limited to HEA members, children of HEA members, or grandchildren (including legally adopted grandchildren) of HEA members. Member applicants must be in good standing and must have maintained membership for at least one year.
- Employees, officers, and directors of HEA — as well as their immediate family members and anyone living in the same household (related or not) — are not eligible to apply.

Scholarship opportunities

1) Graduating High School Seniors
- Award: Two scholarships of $2,000 each.
- Eligibility: Graduating seniors who plan to enroll for the 2025–2026 academic year at any accredited two- or four-year college or university. Preference will be given to applicants planning to pursue preK–12 teaching. Open only to HEA members, children of HEA members, or grandchildren/legally adopted grandchildren of HEA members (see membership requirements above).

2) In-Service Public School Educators
- Award: $2,000.
- Eligibility: Tenured and/or permanent Hawaii State Department of Education pre-K–12 teachers, school administrators, or educational assistants seeking support for coursework, training, or other study.

3) Ronald K. Toma Professional Development Scholarship
- Award: Amount varies.
- Eligibility: Tenured Hawaii State Department of Education pre-K–12 teachers and school administrators pursuing professional learning or enrichment opportunities.

4) Student Teacher Scholarship (Helen McKay family)
- Award: $2,000.
- Eligibility: Student teachers who intend to teach in the Hawaii State Department of Education. This scholarship, established by HEA and the family of Helen McKay, is designed to reduce the need for paid employment during the student teaching semester.

5) Hiroshi & Barbara Kim Yamashita Undergraduate Scholarship
- Award: $2,000.
- Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students majoring in education who plan to teach in a Hawaii public school.

6) Continuing College Students
- Award: $1,000.
- Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a career in education.

If you need further details about application deadlines, required documentation, or how to apply, I can help locate or draft that information.