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Three people in green shirts work in an electronics lab. One is using a microscope, while the other two observe. Equipment and tools are scattered on the workbench.
Our Work

Hawai‘i Renewable Learning Fund

Impact Investments, , Workforce & Economic Mobility

Highlights

$2.5MRevolving loan fund to upskill residents, address key labor needs, and drive economic development for Hawaiʻi

Social Finance is partnering with philanthropic funders, The College of Engineering at the University of Hawaiʻi, and Hawaiian engineering firms to help Hawaiʻi residents earn engineering degrees and meet the talent needs of local firms.  

$58-89K

Expected starting salary for engineers in Hawaiʻi

The Hawaiʻi Renewable Learning Fund provides zero-interest, no-fee loans to low-income college students to cover their remaining costs of attendance after grants and scholarships. After graduation, if a student earns above $50,000, they pay back their loan through fixed monthly repayments for up to five years. If they earn less than this minimum salary, they may apply for an income-based deferment and have a $0 monthly repayment obligation. All loans repayments are recycled back into the fund to support future students.  

The Fund is partnering with local employers to offer loan repayment assistance to graduates who accept and remain in positions with their companies.

For Interested Students

How It Works

Five people stand close together and smile in front of a large red sculpture and a building on a grassy area.

About the College of Engineering at the University of Hawaiʻi

The College of Engineering at the University of Hawaiʻi offers B.S. degrees in Civil and Environmental, Computer, Construction, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering, as well as Engineering Science (Aerospace and Biomedical focuses). A leading education and research institution, the College of Engineering awards 250 bachelor's degrees each year. Graduates experience strong job placement outcomes, thanks in part to the College's relationships with local employers.

By recycling every dollar repaid back into the Fund, we’re able to continuously support more students than we could using traditional loan or scholarship models. With this Fund, we are supporting public education while investing in the sustainable economic development of Hawaiʻi.

Alex Harris

Vice President of Programs at the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation
SSFM International is thrilled to see the Hawaiʻi Renewable Learning Fund come to fruition. This forward-thinking project not only aligns with our ongoing commitment to nurture local talent and foster sustainable economic growth in Hawaiʻi but also marks a significant step toward creating a resilient and skilled workforce for Hawaii’s future.

Michael P. Matsumoto

President/CEO of SSFM International, Inc.
At Bowers + Kubota, we believe our people are our greatest asset. That's why we are excited to be a part of this new approach to investing in and supporting our college students.

Brian Bowers

President of Bowers + Kubota Consulting

Partners and Supporters

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All photos courtesy of UH Manoa. 

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