Hukilau Work-Study Program

Students on the Hukilau Program are expected to maintain good academic standing and to complete at least 12 credits in the Fall and Winter semesters, 8 credits in the Spring term.
Education is a high priority at BYU–Hawaii. Resources, such as the Center for Academic Success and peer mentoring, are available to students to utilize them in order to develop good study habits and be successful as a student. We encourage all students to take advantage of these academic support services to receive assistance when necessary.

Individuals on approved internship opportunities may be subject to a different financial aid package based on the circumstances of the internship. See a financial aid counselor for details.

As a part of the program, students are expected to work at BYU–Hawaii or the Polynesian Cultural Center to receive their needs-based award from the university. The compensation and payback of the Hukilau award are more than just financial. It is about working together for the mutual investment and contribution of the university and individual students.

All students must work 19 hours per week at their given place of employment while classes are in session and up to 40 hours per week during school breaks. A portion of the student’s paycheck will be contributed each pay period to help pay for the student’s educational costs. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure their student contribution is paid each semester. Students can elect to have the funds withdrawn directly from their paychecks if they desire.

All outstanding balances must be cleared prior to the start of any new semester to continue on the Hukilau program.

Employment Deadlines

All students in the Hukilau program must secure a job with BYU–Hawaii (BYUH) or the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) by the third Wednesday after classes begin.

Any students in the Hukilau program still not employed by BYUH or the PCC by the second Wednesday after classes begin are required to meet with a financial aid or student employment counselor within 48 hours. Counselors will help students to find a job. When students meet with a counselor, they should come prepared to explain what they have done to find a job and the problems they have encountered.

Those who fail to meet with a counselor and secure a job by the third Wednesday after classes begin will no longer be eligible for Hukilau funding.

As a work-study participant, Hukilau students must remain in their current employment until they secure a new job.

A "student contribution" is a financial commitment that the student must contribute toward the cost of their education annually. Students are required to apply for Pell Grants and other external scholarships using the BYU–Hawaii Scholarship Universe platform. Other external scholarships such as Native Hawaiian, tribal scholarships, and/or grants received towards the cost of their education are all considered part of student contributions.

Continuous employment is expected of all students in the program. Individuals will work their allotted hours weekly as part of their contribution to their education. Students must meet their payback obligations each semester/term. Any outstanding charges on the student’s account that are not qualifying charges will be the responsibility of the student to pay and must be paid prior to the tuition deadline.

Because one of the program's goals is to gain a quality education and remain debt-free, students are not allowed to use student loans while on the program.

Beginning the first pay period in January 2024, the Hukilau student financial payback will increase as follows:

• Those with a $150 deduction will have it increased to $200 per pay period (TVA).
• Those with a $200 deduction will have it increased to $250 per pay period (apartment style).
• Those with a $270 deduction will have it increased to $320 per pay period (dormitory style).

The work-study program is built on the principle of self-reliance, which means students cover a portion of their costs, and the university covers the rest. Naturally, as the participants' capacity to pay more increases, so does the expectation for the participants to pay more towards their education. Please plan and budget accordingly for this required update.

Each year, students on the Hukilau Program will need to obtain an endorsement from their university bishop. Students must promise to obey the University Honor Code on and off-campus. Students who do not observe the Honor Code may be suspended or permanently expelled from BYU–Hawaii. Please note that the Honor Code includes academic honesty, dress, and grooming standards, residential living standards, living a chaste and virtuous life, obeying the law and campus policies, and living the word of wisdom. This also includes being honest with any academic and financial information the student provides to BYU–Hawaii. Students are encouraged to continue to observe the Honor Code and attend church so that they will qualify for a continuing bishop’s endorsement.

Students must be physically healthy before they apply and when participating in the Hukilau Program. Students must be able to work in any position assigned to them. Students should refrain from participating in any activities that could cause them to become physically unable to perform the essential duties of their employment.

The program requires students to work 19 hours when school is in session, and 40 hours during breaks/summers.

Accommodations based on disability are given. Documentation of disability is required to find the best fit for students.

The Hukilau Program requires students to be in on-campus housing each semester. They are required to abide by the housing rules. Housing contracts are determined by the housing department. Please visit the Housing website to review housing eligibility and criteria.

Whenever a sponsored student leaves the Hawaiian Islands or takes time off from work, we consider this travel/vacation. We understand that students might need to travel for personal reasons (e.g., visit family/friends, wedding, etc.). However, travel must not interfere with their scheduled classes. In order to make sure that students are fulfilling their responsibilities both at school and work, the following process must take place in order for a sponsored student to travel.

Process

All travel must first be approved by a counselor BEFORE tickets are purchased. Travel information and reasons for travel should be explained using the appropriate travel request form. A flight itinerary must be submitted to confirm the dates of travel after approval has been received. Students are responsible for their own travel cost. (NO Buddy passes allowed)

In order for students to travel they will need to meet five criteria:

1. Must get approval signature from their employment supervisor/manager.
2. Must be current with their BYU–Hawaii financial student account.
3. Must be in good academic standing.
4. Travel must not interfere with scheduled classes. After approval has been received from the program committee, students are responsible for their own travel costs.

Travel requests should not be longer than two weeks. Traveling for more than two weeks is highly discouraged for several reasons.

• Employers of students may have travel policies that do not allow for students to takemore than two weeks off.
• Students have committed to assist with the cost of their education throughcontinuous employment.
• The university is paying for facilities and resources (e.g. housing and a meal plan) that are not being used while the student is traveling.

All travel requests for more than two weeks will need to be reviewed and approved by an exceptions committee. Any exceptions to the policy will also need to be reviewed and approved by the same committee.

A room and board daily rate will apply.

Instructions

Travel Request Process and Checklist

1. Complete the travel request form.

2. Meet with your work supervisor or manager to discuss the vacation dates.

   1. Presenting the form to your supervisor does not mean approval from the exceptions committee.
   2. If your supervisor does not authorize you to travel, your travel request may not be approved.
3. If your travel is approved, you must bring a copy of your flight itinerary prior to travel to confirm dates and destinations approved by the scholarship coordinator.
4. Must resolve any outstanding medical co-pays and/or have a payment plan in place.

Participation in the Hukilau Program allows students to fulfill BYU–Hawaii’s mission and prophetic vision and provides a foundation for a lifetime of learning. The program assists young men and young women in developing character and integrity so they can provide leadership in all aspects of their lives. It provides an opportunity to foster the growth of faithful and committed individuals who will assist in building the Kingdom of God.

Hukilau program graduates will commit to contribute towards the mission of this program in helping to provide mentoring and leadership in the church, civic and social affiliations, and their families.

This is considered paying it forward.

Students will go through a checklist process each semester to ensure their understanding of the terms and conditions of the program. This checklist process will be performed online.

Students in the Hukilau program integrate spiritual and secular learning to provide a foundation for a lifetime of learning. The Hukilau program assists young men and young women in developing character and integrity so they can provide leadership in all aspects of their lives. It also provides a significant group of faithful and committed church leaders who will assist in building the kingdom of God.

Sanctions

Students should understand that adherence to all the Terms and Conditions of the program is required to maintain eligibility for the program. Violation of any of the Terms and Conditions may result in the following progressive discipline:

• First Offense: Warning letter placed in the student's file
• Second Offense: Doubling of the required Family Contribution (FC)
• Third Offense: Removal from the Hukilau program

However, the scholarship committee has the discretion to determine the severity of the sanction. Once removed from the Hukilau program eligibility, the student

1. Must apply for a change of status to a "self-funded" category,
2. Will no longer be eligible to re-apply for Hukilau.