HONOLULU – Hawaii State Federal Credit Union, Hawaii’s largest credit union lender with more than 110,000 members on Oahu and Maui, announced that it has boosted its annual scholarship funding to $100,000 – an increase of 20 percent over last year.

Hawaii State FCU will award $5,000 scholarships to 20 deserving Hawaii students planning to attend a fully accredited university, college or trade/vocational school.

The application period for the 2020 Lowell Kalapa Scholarship Program is now open through Jan. 31, 2020.

“This is the second consecutive year that we have made a significant increase to our annual scholarship program. Supporting the education of our youth is the cornerstone of Hawaii State FCU’s community giving efforts,” said Andrew Rosen, president and CEO of Hawaii State FCU.

“As the costs of higher education continue to rise, we’re pleased to offer more money this year to support local students pursuing their academic goals.”

The Lowell Kalapa Scholarship is open to all Hawaii State FCU members and their dependents. Interested students must meet the following eligibility requirements: attend a fully accredited university, college or trade/vocational school in the 2020-21 school year; attend as a full-time student; apply as an undergraduate or graduate degree-seeking student; have a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average; and demonstrate financial need. ?

This year, the Lowell Kalapa Scholarship Program will be administered by the Hawaii Community Foundation.

Interested applicants may apply directly through the Hawaii Community Foundation’s website at www.HawaiiCommunityFoundation.org/Students.

The online application requires personal and award impact statements, most recent school transcript, 2020-21 Student Aid Report from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Form (FAFSA) filing, and a list of achievements and community service activities.

Interested students must complete their application and submit all supporting materials by Friday, Jan. 31, 2020 at 4 p.m. HST. ?

Established in 1996, Hawaii State FCU’s Lowell Kalapa Scholarship Program has awarded more than $700,000 to some of Hawaii’s best and brightest students to support their efforts to pursue a higher education.

The scholarship program was created in honor of the late Lowell Kalapa, former president of the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and former Hawaii State FCU board member.

For more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit www.HawaiiStateFCU.com/scholarship.