Hawai‘i Pacific University Esports Scholarship 2026 – HPU Competitive Gaming

Scholarship Description

Hawai‘i Pacific University (HPU) is proud to be the first collegiate Esports Arena in the state of Hawaii and a leader in the growing world of collegiate Esports. HPU offers competitive esports scholarships for students who are passionate about gaming and want to compete at the highest level while earning a valuable college education.

HPU Esports athletes come from varying academic disciplines and are all HPU Shark athletes upholding the values of Pono (righteousness), Kuleana (responsibility), and Aloha. The program is dedicated to providing a world-class facility and resources to support and foster the growth of Esports careers, events, and education at HPU and in the community.

The HPU Esports Arena features state-of-the-art gaming equipment including 30 gaming PCs, Alienware Aurora R16 with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080s, Alienware R12 PCs with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080s, PS5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, VR and more.

Scholarship Location

The scholarship is tenable at Hawai‘i Pacific University, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. HPU is located in the heart of Honolulu, offering a vibrant campus experience with access to world-class facilities and the unique cultural environment of Hawaii.

Scholarship Deadline

HPU Esports scholarships are offered on a rolling basis, aligned with the university's admission cycles. Prospective students should apply for admission to HPU and indicate their interest in esports.

Host Institution

Hawai‘i Pacific University (HPU) – a private university in Honolulu, Hawaii, offering a diverse and inclusive learning environment. HPU is home to the first collegiate Esports Arena in Hawaii and offers competitive esports scholarships to talented student-athletes.

Level and Fields of Study

Level: Undergraduate students (all academic disciplines welcome).

Fields: HPU Esports athletes come from varying academic disciplines, including but not limited to: Business, Computer Science, Communications, Marketing, Information Technology, Game Design, and other majors.

Esports titles (subject to change): HPU competes in Open and Invitational Tournaments, Collegiate Valorant, CVAL (Collegiate Valorant), NACE (National Association of Collegiate Esports), and local tournaments.

Target Group

HPU Esports scholarships target competitive gamers who are passionate about esports and want to pursue a college degree while competing at a high level. The program is open to students from all backgrounds and skill levels who are committed to upholding the values of Pono, Kuleana, and Aloha.

Scholarship Amount & Duration

Scholarship Amount: Competitive esports scholarships are offered to qualified students. Award amounts vary based on factors including skill level, academic achievement, and program needs.

Scholarship benefits may include:

• Tuition assistance
• Access to state-of-the-art esports facilities
• Competition at the collegiate level
• Travel support for tournaments
• Equipment and gear
• Coaching and team support

Duration: Scholarships are typically awarded for the duration of the undergraduate program, subject to maintaining academic and team eligibility.

Scholarship Eligibility

Essential criteria:

• Admission to HPU: Must be accepted or enrolled as an undergraduate student at Hawai‘i Pacific University.
• Esports skill: Demonstrated competitive gaming skill in one or more of HPU's esports titles.
• Academic standing: Must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by HPU.
• Team commitment: Must be willing to participate in team practices, competitions, and community events.
• Values: Must uphold the values of Pono, Kuleana, and Aloha.
• Communication: Good communication skills and ability to work in a team environment.

Desirable attributes:

• Previous competitive gaming experience (tournaments, leagues, etc.)
• High school GPA of 3.0 or above
• Leadership qualities
• Interest in esports-related careers

Application Procedure

1. Apply for admission to HPU – Submit an application for undergraduate admission to Hawai‘i Pacific University through the HPU admissions portal.
2. Express interest in esports – Indicate your interest in esports on your application or contact the HPU Esports program directly.
3. Showcase your skills – Provide information about your competitive gaming experience, including ranks, tournament results, and gameplay highlights.
4. Contact the esports program – Reach out to the HPU Esports team to express your interest and learn about tryout opportunities.
5. Tryouts – Participate in team tryouts or evaluations to demonstrate your skills and fit with the team.
6. Scholarship award – Selected students receive scholarship offers as part of their financial aid package.

Important notes: HPU Esports scholarships are offered on a rolling basis. Prospective students should apply for admission well in advance of their intended start date. For specific questions about the esports program and scholarships, contact the HPU Esports program directly.

Official Website & Application Links

HPU Esports – Official Page

HPU Admissions: https://www.hpu.edu/admissions/

Contact: For esports scholarship inquiries, contact the HPU Esports program via the official website.

HPU Esports Arena: 30 gaming PCs, Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 4080s, PS5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, VR