Resources

Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Awards

Purpose: The purpose of this competitive award is to recruit high quality graduate students. When available, the exemption is effective for two years for each eligible student and can be awarded to master’s or doctoral students in urban and regional planning.

Selection Process: The recipient of this award is selected by a committee appointed by the chair of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning and must be a full-time student at UHM-DURP to receive the award.

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SSFM Alumni Award

Purpose: The purpose of this fund is to provide a fellowship of $10,000 to a student pursuing a master’s degree in the field of urban planning at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Funds may be used to cover tuition and fees during the academic year. The award also includes a paid internship at SSFM International offices in Iwilei for twenty hours per week for nine months.

Criteria and Requirements: The recipient must be enrolled in the MURP program. Preference is to be given to students from Hawai‘i or the Pacific Islands who demonstrate an interest in environmental, land use, or infrastructure problems facing Pacific Islanders. Interest may be shown through related course work, work experience, and an essay. Applicants should submit a resume and an essay of 500 words demonstrating interest by the deadline posted.

Selection Process: The recipient shall be selected by a committee appointed by the chair of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning and must be a full-time student at UHM-DURP to receive the award.

SSFM International was established in 1959 to provide engineering and other services to clients throughout Hawai‘i and the Pacific. Currently, SSFM offers consulting services in planning, project management, construction management, and engineering. SSFM’s core principles are Progressive, Integrity, Client Focus, and Nurturing. The purpose of this scholarship is to develop leadership in planning throughout Hawai‘i and the Pacific based on these core values.

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RM Towill Award

Purpose: The purpose of this fund is to provide a part-time fellowship totaling $7,000 (1 award of $3500 per semester for a full academic year), and may be used to cover tuition and fees.

Criteria and Requirements: The applicant must be a full-time MURP student at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, earning a minimum GPA of 3.5, and must be a legal resident of Hawai‘i. Preference is to be given to applicants who demonstrate an interest in environmental, land use, or infrastructure problems facing Hawaiʻi. Interest may be shown through related coursework, work experience, and an essay. Applicants should submit a resume and an essay of 500 words demonstrating interest by the deadline posted.

R.M. Towill Corporation is the oldest and largest locally-owned engineering consulting firm in Hawaii. They offer a diverse suite of professional services, including civil engineering, surveying, planning, and construction management. The staff of nearly 100 employees consists of leaders in their respective fields who have completed over 20,000 projects throughout Hawai‘i and the Pacific Rim for private and public sector clients. Half of the organization holds a license or certification in the fields of civil engineering, surveying, planning, construction quality assurance, and inspection. RMTC’s main office is located in Honolulu, Oahu. They also maintain a branch office in Kailua-Kona on the Island of Hawai‘i.

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APA Hawaii Chapter Award

Each year, the American Planning Association Hawaii (APAHI) recognizes students of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning for their achievement of high grades and superior performance in specific projects and assignments. A faculty committee selects students for this award on the basis of their scholarly achievements and service to the larger planning community. Award numbers vary according to APAHI funding but typically two students are awarded each year.

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DURP Student Tuition Waiver

Current full-time DURP students with a standing GPA of at least 3.5 are considered for achievement scholarships.

• To apply, visit the UH Manoa Star Scholarship Database

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External Funding

A number of financial aid opportunities are available to UH Manoa DURP students:

• East West Center’s Graduate Fellowship
• International Student Scholarships
• Study Abroad Scholarships
• Asian Studies Scholarships
• CSAS Scholarships
• SPAS (South Pacific Asia Studies) Scholarships
• Other scholarships/fellowships
• FLAS (Federal Language and Area Studies) Scholarship– (Apply through the Center for South Asian Studies, with a separate application for South East Asian Studies)

College of Social Science Scholarships

• CSS Funding Opportunities
• Pivot Scholarship Search Database
• CSS Grants

Other Scholarships

• Scholar’s App – Scholar’s App is an online platform that connects students with scholarships (local and national, as well as need, merit, and educational based) through one common application. We have local and national scholarships as well as need, merit, and educational based scholarships. With this free system, students only have to provide the supplemental information.

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WICHE Program

UHM participates in the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP), a Student Access Program administered by the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE). The program enables legal residents of WICHE member states to enroll in selected out-of-state graduate programs at a reduced tuition of the institution’s regular resident tuition. Find more information on WICHE.

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Residency for Tuition Purposes

There is a significant difference between Hawaiʻi resident and nonresident tuition rates. Visit the Office of Admissions Hawaiʻi Residency Requirements for information on the process of acquiring resident status.

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Additional Options

Some students qualify for the university’s work-
study program; others apply for student loans and several secure part-time employment in the planning field, which provides work experience and financial assistance. Visit UH Financial Aid for information and application forms for student loans, work-study employment, and grants.