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Hawaii vs Iowa: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Hawaii offers a higher average award size and more opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking larger scholarships. Iowa, while having fewer opportunities, may appeal to those looking for smaller, more targeted awards.

State vs State

State A

Hawaii

State B

Iowa

Quick comparison

MetricHawaiiIowa
Active scholarships in catalog3839
Avg. award (where known)$3,184$2,305
Max indexed award$20,000$11,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Hawaii presents a robust scholarship climate with an average award size of $3,568 and a total of 44 grants available. The top universities in Hawaii include AFCEA Hawaii and Wai'anae Hawaiian Civic Club, which provide significant opportunities for students. Conversely, Iowa has a slightly lower average award size of $2,305 and 39 grants available, with notable organizations like the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines offering scholarships. Both states provide unique opportunities, but Hawaii stands out with a higher average award and more options for applicants.

Top Scholarship Providers in Hawaii

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Iowa

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Hawaii

Hawaii's scholarship climate is vibrant, with a higher average award size and a variety of funding sources, making it appealing for applicants seeking substantial financial support.

Iowa

Iowa's scholarship climate is more modest, offering fewer opportunities and lower average awards, which may suit applicants looking for specific, smaller scholarships.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

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.

Iowa

Median household income

$74,077

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$967

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.97/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$48,540

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 23.88 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

lower indicator band

ADI band

higher indicator band

SVI counties

99

ADI counties

99

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 99 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 99 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 Hawaii?
The average scholarship amount in Hawaii is $3,568.
How many scholarships are available in Iowa?
Iowa has a total of 39 scholarships available.
Which state has more scholarship opportunities?
Hawaii has more scholarship opportunities with 44 grants compared to Iowa's 39.
What are the top universities providing scholarships in Hawaii?
Top universities in Hawaii include AFCEA Hawaii and Wai'anae Hawaiian Civic Club.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in Iowa?
The maximum scholarship amount in Iowa is $11,000.

Sources and official pages

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

Internal reading paths around scholarship search, application strategy, and essay preparation for students comparing Hawaii and Iowa.