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Alaska vs Hawaii: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Alaska offers a higher average award size and more opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial support. Hawaii, while having fewer opportunities and lower average awards, may appeal to those looking for specific community-focused scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Alaska

State B

Hawaii

Quick comparison

MetricAlaskaHawaii
Active scholarships in catalog7338
Avg. award (where known)$3,706$3,184
Max indexed award$25,000$20,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Alaska presents a robust scholarship climate with a total of 53 grants available, averaging approximately $3,943 per award. The maximum award can reach up to $25,000, making it an attractive option for students seeking significant financial assistance. Key scholarship providers include The CIRI Foundation and the Alaska Government Finance Officers Association.

In contrast, Hawaii offers a total of 33 grants, with an average award size of around $2,894 and a maximum of $5,000. While the opportunities are fewer, Hawaii's scholarships often cater to specific community needs, with organizations like AFCEA Hawaii leading the way.

Top Scholarship Providers in Alaska

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Hawaii

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Alaska

Alaska's scholarship climate is characterized by a high volume of opportunities and larger average awards, appealing to a wide range of applicants.

Hawaii

Hawaii's scholarship landscape offers fewer options with smaller average awards, focusing on community-oriented scholarships.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

State-level affordability context to complement scholarship climate above - not ScholarshipTop grant totals.

Visual comparison

Alaska

Median household income

$89,683

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,467

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

25.25/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$61,000

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 61.68 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

ADI band

middle indicator band

ADI counties

30

County health data

30

  • ADI block-group data is available across 30 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.
  • County health public data is available for 30 counties; use it alongside cost, school, and scholarship details.

Hawaii

Median household income

$98,864

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$2,433

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

31.43/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$56,320

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 22.35 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

middle indicator band

ADI band

lower indicator band

SVI counties

5

ADI counties

4

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 5 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 4 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Sources: Census ACS, HUD FMR, MIT Living Wage, BLS OEWS, and public reference datasets where available. Rent figures may reflect metro or state averages.

Public safety context uses aggregate public data and is included only as planning context.

Reference only - not ScholarshipTop eligibility rules or guarantees.

Data availability varies by school, city, state, and source year.

FAQ

What is the average scholarship amount in Alaska?
The average scholarship amount in Alaska is approximately $3,943.
How many scholarships are available in Hawaii?
Hawaii has a total of 33 scholarships available.
What is the maximum scholarship award in Alaska?
The maximum scholarship award in Alaska can reach up to $25,000.
Which organization offers the most scholarships in Hawaii?
AFCEA Hawaii offers the most scholarships in Hawaii, with 9 grants.

Sources and official pages

Official and high-authority pages used to support this State vs State comparison.

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