Hawaiʻi Early Childhood Educator Stipend Program
Hawaiʻi Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) with the University of Hawaiʻi College of Education
Partial or full tuition each term for students in early childhood education certificate, degree or license programs at a University of Hawaiʻi campus who agree to work two years in a Hawaiʻi early learning setting.
- How much
- Partial or full tuition for eligible early childhood education courses, per term
- Who qualifies
- Current or future early childhood educators and caregivers (children ages 0-5) in Hawaiʻi
- Enrolled in a generalist early childhood education certificate, degree or license program (including Hawaiian-language-medium programs) at a qualifying UH campus, registered for eligible courses. Service commitment: complete the credential and work two years in a qualifying Hawaiʻi early learning setting (HRS 302L-2). A 2023 UH News story also listed keeping a C or better in coursework.
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, trade school students, adults going back to school
- For early childhood education students
- When to apply
- Open now · due December 1, 2026 Every term: summer by April 15, fall by July 15, spring by December 1.
- How to apply
- 1) Get admitted to a qualifying early childhood program at a UH campus and register for eligible courses for the coming term
- 2) Fill out the Hawaiʻi Early Childhood Educator Stipend Program application form (linked from the EOEL page) by the term deadline
- 3) If you're awarded, sign the stipend agreement before funds are released
- Questions: ece@hawaii.edu, (808) 956-2376
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (earlylearning.hawaii.gov), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
Created by the Legislature (Act 210, 2021; HRS 302L-9) and funded by the state ($600,000 approved in 2023) after initial seed money from the Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation. Pays partial or full tuition for generalist early childhood education (ECE) certificates, degrees and licensure programs in the UH system, including Hawaiian-language-medium programs, from entry-level credits up to the doctoral level. Qualifying programs: UH Hilo (Hawaiian and Indigenous language medium), Hawaiʻi CC, UH Maui College, UH Mānoa (early childhood teacher licensure), UH West Oʻahu, Honolulu CC and Kauaʻi CC. Who it's for: people working or planning to work in early learning settings serving children ages 0-5, newcomers who need credit-bearing training (CDA or DHS licensing qualifications), and ECE staff earning associate, bachelor's or licensure credentials. In return, you finish the credential and work two years in a qualifying early learning setting (HRS 302L-2). Awards are announced about a week before the semester starts, and you sign a stipend agreement before money is paid. The stipend counts as outside aid in your financial aid package.
More money from Hawaii
- State of Hawaiʻi B Plus ScholarshipUp to $2,000 (per UH Mānoa); renewable up to four years, depending on funding
- Hawaiʻi Promise ScholarshipCovers unmet direct educational costs (tuition, fees, books and supplies) after other grants; amount depends on funding, need and credits
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
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