» Applicants from Hawai'i

Financing your education

We understand the importance of making education accessible. This is why we offer financial resources that make attending college more affordable, so cost should not prevent you from applying.

• Every student who applies to Chapman is considered for a merit scholarship, which can be as high as $40,000 per year.
• Chapman offers need-based aid and other awards determined by your FAFSA form and your family's circumstances. 
• Talent/departmental awards can be combined with other awards and are determined on an individual basis by academic and university departments.

In addition to merit scholarships, need-based aid, and talent/departmental awards, we also offer mission-driven awards that provide educational opportunities to students underrepresented in higher education.

Outside scholarships

In most cases, these scholarships can be combined with awards you receive from Chapman or other institutions.

Details of each scholarship are subject to change, so make sure to check the scholarship's website for the most up-to-date details.

• Ida M. Pope Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to female students of Hawaiian ancestry who are academically successful and demonstrate financial need. Special consideration is given to students who plan to study health, science, mathematics, or education (including counseling & social work).
  • Application deadline: February 15
• Rosemary and Nellie Ebrie Scholarship: Awarded to Native Hawaiian students pursuing higher education that were born and reside on the island of Hawai‘i.
  • Application deadline: February 15
• Ka’ehu Scholarship Fund: Awarded to students who live in Hawai’i and identify as female, LGBT, or are part of a high school athletic program.
• Hawaiian Financial Federal Credit Union Scholarship Program: Awarded to applicants who are either a member or a legal dependent of a member whose HIFICU account is in good standing.
  • Application deadline: October 15
• Duke Award Scholarship: Awarded to Hawai’i high school seniors who exemplify the character and personality traits of Duke Kahanamoku.
  • Application deadline: February 1
• Hawai’i Community Foundation Scholarship: Awarded to students who are residents of Hawai'i.
  • Application deadline: February 15

Chapman’s clubs and organizations

Chapman offers many clubs and activities for students from Hawai’i to create a sense of community. These include:

Chapman’s Hawaiian Club (Pua’ikeana)

• Pua’ikeana: Chapman’s Hawaiian club shares the Hawaiian culture with the Chapman community, and through service, perpetuates the "Aloha Spirit." The club supports students from Hawai’i through weekly meetings and by acting as an extended family that fosters a home-away-from-home.

Related clubs and opportunities

• Mission Environment: Chapman’s environmental club that educates and encourages more sustainable practices within the lives of students at the university. During club meetings, topics discussed range from waste to ocean plastic to climate change. Outside of club meetings, members organize beach cleanups, hikes, and other environmentally related activities.
• Team Shaka: Chapman’s student hip-hop group that performs at events such as Orientation, Spring Sizzle, Airbands, Midnight Breakfast and more. The club aims to entertain the Chapman campus though dance and create a creative outlet for Chapman students to come together, collaborate visions, and share love for the hip-hop culture.

Local beach activities

Chapman is close to several beaches like Newport, Huntington, and Laguna. Some beach activities that students can take-part in include:

• Chapman Surf Club: A club that unites students of all skill levels who are passionate about surfing. Through beach days, surf classes, and bonding activities, Surf Club fosters friendships both in and out of the water.
• Beach clean-ups: Chapman Pua’ikeana organizes regular beach clean-up events for students to come together and enhance the nearby beaches around Chapman, including Laguna and Newport.

Admitted students can also learn about and join clubs in-person at the Student Involvement Fair, which takes place once every semester.

Chapman’s Hawaiian Alumni Association

The Hawaiian Alumni Association serves as a lifelong link for Chapman graduates who come from Hawai’i, extending connections both among fellow alumni, current students from Hawai’i, and with Chapman as a whole.

Admission resources

Pua’ikeana

Pua’ikeana reaches out to new/incoming students from Hawai'i over the summer to be a resource and welcome you to the Panther Ohana. You can also use Pua’ikeana to get a better understanding of what to bring with you to campus.

You will also have a chance to connect with other students from Hawai'i for ride-share opportunities to reduce transportation costs to and from airports. 

Admission counselors for Hawai’i

Chapman has two admission counselors assisting assisting applicants and families from Hawai’i. They answer your questions about Chapman and assist you throughout the admission process.

• Marcela Mejia-Martinez (assists students and families from Hawai’i, Maui, Kaua’i and Lana’i islands)
• Armen Sarkisian (assists students and families from Oahu)

Chapman’s Hawai’i visits

• Every year, Chapman representatives travel to dozens of high schools in Hawai’i. To get a notification if we are visiting your school, fill out our Request for Information form.
• In the spring, we hold an admitted student reception on Oahu. This is a great chance to learn more about Chapman and meet other admitted and incoming students from Hawai’i.

Chapman resources

Orientation opportunities

• Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Orientation Welcome Reception: At Orientation, you can attend a welcome reception where you will meet staff and faculty who provide resources and support for students of diverse backgrounds and identities. 
• Orientation Affinity Socials: During orientation, you will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with other students and staff who are part of the Hawaiian Affinity group. Students may also attend and meet with as many affinity groups as they identify with.

Current student opportunities

• Cross-Cultural Center: Provides students with a safe space, and offers programs and services intended to affirm the value of and support students from underrepresented identities.
• Annual Lu'au: Every May, Chapman Pua’ikeana hosts a Hawaiian feast in honor of May Day that includes hula dancing, traditional Hawaiian food, drinks, and games. 
• Evening of Aloha: Every November, Chapman Pua’ikeana hosts a mini lu'au where students can participate in games, eat Hawaiian food, and enjoy hula performances.

Local transportation for students from Hawai’i

Most students from Hawai’i arrive without a car, and that’s fine! There are many shopping, dining and employment opportunities within walking distance of campus. 

Whether you want to explore the historic charm of Old Towne or soak up the sun at the beach, you will have access to the following modes of transportation:

• Walk to Old Towne: Just two blocks from campus, Old Towne has dozens of local shops, restaurants, and cultural events.
• Take the train to Los Angeles, San Diego, or the beach: The Metrolink train network has a stop right on campus. Metrolink connects major cities in Southern California and makes several at the beach. Chapman students also get a Metrolink discount!

Traveling to Chapman

If you are planning a visit to Chapman and taking Hawaiian Airlines, we recommend their direct flight from Honolulu to Long Beach Airport (which is about 20 miles from campus).

In addition, you could fly into:

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which has options for direct flights from Hawai’i, but is around 40 miles from campus and often has severe traffic. 
• Santa Ana/John Wayne Airport (SNA), which is only 10 miles from campus but has limited and often cost-prohibitive flight options from Hawai’i.

Academic opportunities

At Chapman, we support academic endeavors both at home and abroad.

Study abroad opportunities

Chapman encourages the incorporation of studying abroad as a significant element of the complete college experience. Oftentimes, it's more affordable than anticipated and will still enable you to graduate on time!

• You can choose to pursue a semester-long program, an interterm travel course, or a summer travel course that is much shorter in duration. 
• Through Chapman’s Center for Global Education, you can find additional scholarships for studying abroad by identity and location, as well as guidance in finding a program that best suits your wants and needs.
• Chapman’s study abroad programs in Australia and New Zealand are especially popular with students from Hawai’i.

Language requirements

At Chapman, you are required to take language classes to earn your degree.

But if you can speak, read and write in a language besides English proficiently, you can test out of some or all of your language classes with a language exam. 

You can learn more about this process on our Language exams page.