← Back to State vs State

Hawaii vs Washington: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Washington offers a more robust scholarship climate with higher average awards and a greater number of opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial support. Hawaii, while having fewer opportunities, may appeal to those looking for smaller, community-focused scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Hawaii

State B

Washington

Quick comparison

MetricHawaiiWashington
Active scholarships in catalog38191
Avg. award (where known)$3,184$3,652
Max indexed award$20,000$25,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, the scholarship landscape in Hawaii and Washington presents distinct opportunities for applicants. Hawaii offers a total of 33 scholarships with an average award size of approximately $2,894, while Washington boasts a significantly larger pool of 124 scholarships, with an average award size of around $3,739. The maximum award in Washington can reach up to $25,000, compared to Hawaii's maximum of $5,000.

Top universities in Hawaii include AFCEA Hawaii, which provides 9 scholarships, and Wai'anae Hawaiian Civic Club with 5 scholarships. In Washington, prominent institutions include Wenatchee Valley College Foundation, offering 27 scholarships, and the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, which provides 25 scholarships.

Top Scholarship Providers in Hawaii

Ranked by number of active scholarships

View all scholarships

Top Scholarship Providers in Washington

Ranked by number of active scholarships

View all scholarships

Match workspace

Get matched with scholarships in 2 minutes

Find My Scholarships

Scholarship climate by state

Hawaii

Hawaii's scholarship climate is characterized by a smaller number of opportunities and lower average award sizes, appealing to applicants seeking community-based support.

Washington

Washington's scholarship climate is vibrant, with a high volume of opportunities and larger average awards, making it ideal for applicants looking for significant financial assistance.

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.

Washington

Median household income

$97,733

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,418

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

23.29/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$62,990

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 27.40 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

39

ADI counties

39

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 39 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 39 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 Washington?
Washington offers a total of 124 scholarships.
What is the maximum scholarship award in Washington?
The maximum scholarship award in Washington can reach up to $25,000.

Sources and official pages

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

More guides around this State vs State comparison

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

Related scholarship articles

Related essay guides