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HEPA Offering Three College Scholarships Totaling $9,000 for Graduating High School Seniors in Hilo, Honokaa and Kau

(Hilo, May 15, 2025) The Hawaii Emergency Physicians Associated, Inc. (HEPA), the physicians who staff the emergency room at Hilo Benioff Medical Center and Honokaa Hospital, and Kau Hospital, is offering two (2) $3,000 college scholarships to students in Hilo and one (1) $3,000 college scholarship to students in Honoka`a and Ka`u, respectively. The three awardees will receive $1,500 per semester. The aim of these scholarships is to assist graduating high school students from the East Hawaii region, who without financial assistance, would have no opportunity to attend college.  The most important considerations in the HEPA selection criteria are financial and familial hardship.

Please see scholarship packet below:

For more information, email Elena Cabatu at ecabatu@hhsc.org. Completed application form and all required documents must be received by Saturday, May 31, 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Must show compelling financial need.
  2. Must be from East Hawaii.
  3. Must be a full-time classified student during scholarship year.
  4. Must be a graduating high school student.

Application Procedure

  1. Submit the following documents by the Friday, May 31 deadline.
  2. Application form (click to download)
  3. Photo copy of most recent report card or transcripts
  4. Photocopy of SAR report or Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for applicable school year
  5. Send 2 letters of reference from teachers, counselors employers or other individuals who are familiar with your character and potential. Include relationship to you.
  6. Email all required documents to the following:

Hilo Area Students to:                               

Elena Cabatu, Director of Marketing, ecabatu@hhsc.org

Honoka`a Area Students to:

Jennifer Shinde, jshinde@hhsc.org

Ka`u Area Students to:

Erika Polido, epolido@hhsc.org

QUESTIONS? CONTACT: Elena Cabatu, Director of Marketing | Work: 808.932.3160 | Cell: 808.333.7223 | ecabatu@hhsc.org