FAQs

FAQs

Participation in the Hoʻokō Rising Scholars Program is entirely free!

Students commit to two years in the program to ensure their success.

We have an exclusive opportunity for our students to apply for the Peer Apprentice Educator student worker job starting in their second semester. In this position, students will train to become future Peer Educators, Tutors, and/or Orientation Leaders. This can be a wonderful way to stay involved with the HRSP staff and students after the program!

We continue to actively recruit qualified students well into the first few weeks of class. If you received an invitation to the HRSP and would like to join the program after the beginning of the term, please reach out to us at HRSP@hpu.edu.

If you’re experiencing challenges with the program, we encourage you to discuss them with us first. We’ll explore potential solutions to address any issues you may be facing. If the situation remains unresolved, you’re welcome to leave the program at any time.

The program has specific eligibility requirements for incoming students. All eligible students received an email before the beginning of the school year.

While we can provide support during the transfer process, you will no longer be eligible for the HRSP if you are not enrolled as an HPU student.

After you read and sign the agreement form, we will contact you to confirm your course registration. During new student orientation, we will have our own session together to discuss the program, talk about next steps, and get to know each other!

Entrance into the HRSP is restricted to first-year students who are classified as freshmen (less than 30 credit hours). If you are still within the freshman credit hour range when you return, you may still be eligible.

Definitely. We can help you navigate various aspects of your withdrawal from the university and help you get prepared to return the next semester.

Yes! Just provide some information about what the recommendation letter is for, and your coach can decide if they are a great fit to write your letter. They probably are!

Yes! We can help you with almost any questions you may have during the transition to college, including where to go for financial aid questions, how to apply for SNAP benefits, or even where to go for a haircut! If we don’t know the answer to your question, we will find someone who does.

No. We determine eligibility based on financial need and academic history, so we reach out individually to all eligible students.

While our Academic Coaches help students search and apply for scholarships, the program does not directly pay for tuition or provide financial aid.

If you do not meet the program requirements for the semester, you will be scheduled for a required meeting with Dr. Clark to discuss your progress and explore ways we can support you. These meetings are aimed at helping you meet the program requirements next semester. Should you continue to fall short of the program requirements in the subsequent semester, you may lose your eligibility for the Ho‘okō Rising Scholars Program benefits.

Even if you plan to attend HPU for your first year of college, you can still join the program if you are eligible

If you have a concern with one of the staff or student worker members in the HRSP, you can schedule a meeting with Dr. Adam Clark via email at atclark@hpu.edu.

If you are faced with a situation of sex discrimination or sexual harassment, you can contact HPU’s Title IX office from their website. https://www.hpu.edu/titleix/index.html

If you have a general complaint about a code of conduct violation from another student, you can file an incident report here. https://www.hpu.edu/student-services/community-standards.html