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Hawaii vs Kentucky: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Hawaii offers a higher average award size, making it suitable for applicants seeking larger scholarships, while Kentucky has a greater number of opportunities, appealing to those who prioritize quantity over size.

State vs State

State A

Hawaii

State B

Kentucky

Quick comparison

MetricHawaiiKentucky
Active scholarships in catalog3852
Avg. award (where known)$3,184$2,551
Max indexed award$20,000$10,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Hawaii presents a scholarship climate characterized by an average award size of approximately $2,894, with a maximum award of $5,000 across 33 grants. The top universities in Hawaii include AFCEA Hawaii, Wai'anae Hawaiian Civic Club, and Hawai'i Lodging and Tourism Association, which collectively offer numerous opportunities for students.

In contrast, Kentucky offers a slightly lower average award size of about $2,131, with a maximum award of $5,300, but boasts a larger number of grants totaling 39. Key institutions in Kentucky include the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, and The Race for Education, which provide a variety of funding options for applicants.

Top Scholarship Providers in Hawaii

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Kentucky

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Hawaii

Hawaii's scholarship climate is competitive, with fewer grants but higher average award amounts, making it attractive for students seeking substantial financial support.

Kentucky

Kentucky's scholarship landscape offers a wider array of opportunities, making it suitable for applicants looking for multiple funding sources, albeit with lower average awards.

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.

Kentucky

Median household income

$63,680

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$927

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

19.60/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$46,920

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 20.29 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

higher indicator band

SVI counties

120

ADI counties

120

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 120 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 120 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 approximately $2,894.
How many scholarships are available in Kentucky?
Kentucky offers a total of 39 scholarships.
Which state has higher maximum scholarship amounts?
Hawaii has a maximum scholarship amount of $5,000, while Kentucky's maximum is $5,300.
What are some top universities offering scholarships in Hawaii?
Top universities in Hawaii include AFCEA Hawaii and Wai'anae Hawaiian Civic Club.

Sources and official pages

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

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