Award Details

Basic Provisions

The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship provides the following funding:
▪ Full-time graduate tuition and fees for general graduate programs* toward master’s or doctoral studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa;
▪ Housing in an East-West Center residence hall, based on single occupancy;
▪ A stipend of $500 to partially cover food and incidental expenses (Refer to the Tax Information page for additional information.);
▪ A one-time settling in allowance
▪ An allowance for books, materials and supplies; and
▪ Subsidy toward health insurance coverage.

All provisions are subject to change.

*The Graduate Degree Fellowship does not cover the full tuition or professional fees for professional programs, such as Architecture, DNP, JD, LLM, MAcc, MBA, MD, and MSN. Candidates will be responsible for covering the difference in cost. See the Office of the Registrar for tuition rates.

Housing

Recipients of the GDF who are single or married with no accompanying dependents below 18 years of age are required to reside in Center dormitories. Individuals with minor dependent children cannot be accommodated in on-campus facilities and must reside off-campus. (See Spouse and Dependents under the Funding Provisions page.)

Recipients of the GDF who are married and/or have dependents may request approval to have their spouse and/or dependents join them in Hawaii after one semester in the GDF program. 

Pets are not allowed in EWC dormitories.

Further information about the EWC residence halls may be found at their website.

Visa

Degree fellows who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States are required to come to the East-West Center on the Exchange Visitor (J-1) visa and are subject to all provisions of the U.S. Department of State Exchange Visitor Program.

The intent of the Exchange Visitor Program is to have participants return to their home countries upon program completion to share and apply the knowledge and experience gained during their program. Exchange visitors on East-West Center sponsorship are required to return to their home country for an aggregate period of two years after completing their exchange visitor program. Graduate Degree Fellows are eligible to apply for post-completion Academic Training upon completion of their degree program. 

For further information contact Ms. Mathura Small in the East-West Center Visa Office.

Funding for a Second Degree

East-West Center degree fellows who have completed either an undergraduate or graduate degree under a different EWC scholarship program may apply for another fellowship administered by the Center for which they meet the eligibility requirements. But please note: an individual can receive the Graduate Degree Fellowship for no more than a total of 24 months. In other words, a student who received the Graduate Degree Fellowship for 24-months for a masters degree is not eligible for the Fellowship to pursue a PhD. Students who receive a one-year GDF award are eligible to apply for another one-year GDF award. They will however have a lower priority during the selection consideration having already been supported by the Center for one degree.

Eligibility

Eligibility to apply is determined by an individual’s ability to meet the following conditions:

Bachelor's Degree and Grade Point Average
Before the start of the award, applicants for graduate programs must have obtained a 4-year bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited U.S. college or university or from a recognized institution of higher learning abroad. Equivalency is determined by the University of Hawai‘i Admissions Office. Generally, an applicant must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or the equivalent, in the last four semesters or six quarters of the undergraduate record and in all post-baccalaureate work.

Citizenship or Permanent Residence
The East-West Center’s original mandate by the United States Congress established its geographical area of interest as Asia, the Pacific, and the United States. Individuals who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States or from the list of residencies eligible to apply for EWC fellowships.

For applicants with dual citizenship, if the United States is one of the countries in which the applicant has dual citizenship, the application will be processed as a U.S. applicant. For applicants with dual citizenship, please also note that only citizens from countries on the list below are eligible for this fellowship and for the J-1 visa, if awarded the fellowship. For example, if an applicant has dual citizenship in the United Kingdom and Pakistan, the application will be processed as an applicant from Pakistan. If awarded the fellowship, the applicant must use his/her Pakistani passport to be eligible for the J-1 visa and fellowship.

List of Residencies Eligible to Apply for EWC Fellowships

Southeast Asia

East Asia

South Asia

United States

Pacific Region

Deferral

The Graduate Degree Fellowship may not be deferred to another semester or year. Students are encouraged to reapply if they are unable to participate in residence at the EWC starting from the first day of the Community Building Institute (in early August) of the year their fellowship is to begin.

Length of Award

EWC Graduate Degree Fellowships are granted on an annual basis for a maximum of 24-months (2 years). Fellowships are made initially for 12 months but may be renewed for an additional year, subject to funding availability, and timely and satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree and fulfillment of East-West Center requirements. The total award length may be less than 24 months, depending on the academic status of the student at the time the award is given and the time necessary to complete degree requirements.

Residency Starting in August

The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship begins in early- to mid-August with the Community Building Institute (CBI) that includes time for advising and registration at the University of Hawai‘i. All students on new awards are required to participate in this initial program, including those who are currently residing in Hawai‘i.