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Hawaii vs South Dakota: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Hawaii offers a higher average award size and more opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking significant financial aid. South Dakota, while having fewer opportunities and lower average awards, may appeal to those who qualify for specific local scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Hawaii

State B

South Dakota

Quick comparison

MetricHawaiiSouth Dakota
Active scholarships in catalog3819
Avg. award (where known)$3,184$2,133
Max indexed award$20,000$5,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Hawaii presents a robust scholarship climate with a total of 44 grants available, averaging $3,568 per award, and a maximum award size of $20,000. The top universities in Hawaii include AFCEA Hawaii and Wai'anae Hawaiian Civic Club, which provide a significant number of scholarships. Conversely, South Dakota offers a more limited scholarship landscape with 19 grants, an average award size of $2,133, and a maximum of $5,000. Key scholarship providers in South Dakota include the South Dakota High School Rodeo Association.

Top Scholarship Providers in Hawaii

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in South Dakota

Ranked by number of active scholarships

View all scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Hawaii

Hawaii has a vibrant scholarship climate with numerous opportunities and higher average awards, making it attractive for applicants seeking substantial financial aid.

South Dakota

South Dakota's scholarship climate is more restricted, with fewer opportunities and lower average awards, which may suit applicants looking for specific local 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.

South Dakota

Median household income

$71,969

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$979

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.55/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$47,080

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 33.95 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

middle indicator band

SVI counties

66

ADI counties

66

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 66 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 66 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 $3,568.
How many scholarships are available in South Dakota?
There are 19 scholarships available in South Dakota.
Which state has the highest maximum scholarship award?
Hawaii has the highest maximum scholarship award at $20,000.
What are the top scholarship providers in Hawaii?
Top scholarship providers in Hawaii include AFCEA Hawaii and Wai'anae Hawaiian Civic Club.
Is there a significant difference in scholarship opportunities between the two states?
Yes, Hawaii offers significantly more scholarship opportunities and higher average awards compared to South Dakota.

Sources and official pages

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

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