HFS Credit Union Awards $60,000 in Scholarships to Big Island Students

HFS Federal Credit Union announced Jan. 9 that its 2026 scholarship program will award a total of $60,000 to 20 recipients across the Big Island. Ten scholarships of $3,000 each are designated for graduating Big Island high school seniors, and ten $3,000 scholarships are intended for college students. The funds are intended to support students enrolled full time for the 2026–27 academic year at accredited two- or four-year vocational-technical schools, colleges, or universities.

Completed applications and all supporting documents must be submitted online by Feb. 28, 2026. Applicants can find application forms and information about local branch locations on HFS Federal Credit Union’s website or by visiting any HFS branch on the Big Island. Prior scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply this year.

Selection will be based on academic performance, achievements, and community service. By including vocational-technical programs alongside traditional college tracks, the program broadens pathways for students entering trades, health professions, and technical fields that are critical to local infrastructure and services. The credit union’s approach aims to spread education dollars across diverse postsecondary pathways rather than concentrating support in a single sector.

For Big Island families already juggling tuition, housing, and living costs, these awards can provide meaningful relief. Even modest scholarships can reduce the need for additional loans, shorten time to degree completion, and lower financial stress that affects students’ mental and physical health. Supporting students who plan to enter local training programs or colleges can also help build a more resilient local workforce in health care, education, construction, and other sectors that directly affect community well-being.

The restriction excluding previous recipients seeks to increase equity by widening the pool of beneficiaries. Still, the program highlights the persistent gap between student need and available aid. Local leaders and health and social service advocates say expanding scholarship opportunities and aligning education support with workforce development remain important for long-term community health and economic stability.

Students planning to enroll full time in 2026–27 should prepare applications and supporting documents and submit them by the Feb. 28, 2026 deadline via HFS Federal Credit Union’s online portal or by contacting their nearest HFS branch for assistance.