HomeExchange Information for University of Hawaii at Hilo
Fall 2023-Spring 2024
UNIVERSITY AND AREA
Name of University

University of Hawaii at HiloLocation

Hilo on the Island of Hawai`i (Big Island)
Hilo is located on the southernmost island of the Hawaiian Island chain. Hilo is a city of
about 40,000 people and located on Hilo Bay under the picturesque background of thesnow-covered Maunakea – the largest mountain in the Pacific. Hilo is surrounded by atropical rainforest on the warm, wet side of the Big Island. The temperature isconsistent year-round staying between 17- 29 degrees Celsius. Hilo can be reached bya 45 minute airplane flight from Honolulu.
For more information about Hilo and the Big Island

Total number ofstudents
Websites

About 3,250. About 7 percent are international students from 40 countries.
University Website
Center for Global Education and Exchange
English Language InstituteInternational Student Services

ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Academic Year

Fall 2023 Semester:
Orientation: August 15 - August 19 (tentative dates)
Classes: August 21 – December 15
Spring 2024 Semester:
Orientation: January 3 - 6 (tentative dates)
Classes: January 8 – May 10

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Application
DeadlinesAcademic
Requirements

Application
Procedures

Fall 2023 Semester: April 1, 2023
Spring 2024 Semester: October 1, 2023●
●B average and one year of college completed.
Students with a 61 iBT TOEFL, an IELTS score of 5.5, Duolingo 90, or Eiken
2A score will not be required to take ESL classes. Students with lower scores
or no scores will be admitted into the English Language Institute and required totake the ESL classes that they place into. All ESL classes receive academic
credit and appear on the academic transcript.

Applications should be emailed to the Center for Global Education and Exchangeto shumway@hawaii.edu. Originals do not need to be mailed unless by request.
1. Letter of Nomination (link on Global Exchange webpage)
2. Application DO NOT SEND APPLICATION ON-LINE (link on Global Exchangewebpage)
3. Supplementary Information Form for International Students (link on Global Exchangewebpage)
4. Bank Statement
Students need to provide a bank statement indicating that a sponsor has funds
to cover the cost of living expenses and books while the students are in theUnited States.
Two Semesters: $ 18,000
One Semester: $ 9,000
5. Passport copy
6. Academic transcript in English
7. English Language Test Score (Students with lower scores on no English test scores
may be accepted into the English Language Institute)1) TOEFL score (iBT or paper)
2) IELTS score3) Duolingo score4) Eiken score
These are the documents that we need to receive have a completed application
package:
1) Letter of Nomination
2) A copy of the student application
3) Supplementary Information Form for International Students
4) Bank statement
5) Copy of passport
6) Copy of transcript
7) English test score

Mailing address forApplications

University of Hawaii at Hilo
Center for Global Education and Exchange
200 W. Kawili St.
Hilo, HI 96720
USAFax number for
Application
Course Catalogue

1-808-932-7487

Full-time Academic
LoadMinimum: 12 credits per semester
Maximum: 18 credits per semester

General Catalog
Online Course ListingTranscripts

One transcript for each student will be sent to the home university. If students oruniversities want additional transcripts, they can be ordered from the UH Hilo Transcript
Webpage.

ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation
Options

Exchange students can apply for on-campus dormitory housing or arrange off-campus
accommodations.
The University of Hawaii at Hilo cannot guarantee housing. However, we will assist
students in securing on-campus housing or off-campus housing near campus. Students
can apply online for on-campus housing through the University of Hawai’i at Hilo
Housing Office website. The application must be completed AFTER students havereceived their acceptance and a UH student ID number.

Housing OfficeWebsite

Housing Office

Housing E-mailuhhhouse@hawaii.edu

Application

Must apply on-line after receiving acceptance letter and UH ID number
Housing Application Form ($10 application fee)

Housing Application
Priority Deadlines

Fall 2023 Semester: March 1, 2023
Spring 2024 Semester: October 1, 2023
(Housing will continue to accept applications until the start of classes)

COSTS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TuitionRequired StudentFees

Medical Insurance

Living Costs

Other Expenses

Students on direct exchange pay tuition at their home university.
Activity Fee: $247 per semester (Student Life Center, Student Medical Center,student publications and activities)
Orientation: $50 (includes gift bag, informational sessions and special activities - not required but recommended)
All international exchange students are required to purchase the University of Hawai’i atHilo medical insurance plan while they are studying at UH Hilo. Visit the International
Student Service website to see the requirements. The University of Hawai’i at Hiloinsurance plan costs $707.50 per semester based on 2022-23 rates. Costs for 2023-24
could vary. Information about the plan can be viewed at the Relation Insurance
website. A copy of your health insurance needs to be filed with the International
Student Services upon arrival. a copy of your health insurance needs to be filed with theInternational Student Services upon arrival.
On campus (Estimated based on 2022-23 rates)
Housing: $1,772 - $3,150 per semester. (depending on type of room)
Food service: $2470 - $2863 per semester. (depending on meal plan)
Off campus (Estimated)
Housing: $550 to $800 per month.
Personal expenses (food, supplies, transport): $3,125 per semester
Transportation: The city bus is free for everyone at this time.. Some students choose tobuy bicycles which range from $150 to $1,000 but you can also rent bicycles fromschool. Occasionally students buy used cars which can cost from $3,500 and up.
Students with cars are legally required to have automobile insurance and a valid Hawaiistate driver’s license or a current international driver’s license.

Visa Information

All exchange students must have a valid passport and an F-1 student visa. The
university will provide an I-20 to be used to get the visa from a U.S. Embassy orConsulate. Students must bring the I-20 and passport when entering the United States.

Pre-Arrival
Information

Accepted students will be contacted directly by the Center for Global Education andExchange as well as the Director of International Student Services with information
about arrival and orientation. Students should be sure to read all emails very carefully.
Airport pickup is available on designated days prior to orientation. Those dates will beannounced by email after students have been accepted. Students who arrive outside ofthe designated pickup dates can take a taxi or a ride share service (Uber or Lyft) to thecampus from the airport. The campus is about 10 minutes from the airport and the taxi
ride costs $15-$20. Please visit the International Student Services website for more
information.

Useful Websites

New Student Information
Online Orientation
Frequently Asked Questions

VIDEO

See videos about UH Hilo at:
International Student VideoInspired by You Video
Study at UH Hilo!
YouTube Channel

CONTACT INFORMATION
Student Exchange
Coordinator

Center for Global Education and Exchange
E-mail Address:
uhhglobe@hawaii.edu

Todd Shumway
Director of Global Exchange
Center for Global Education andExchange
Website:
200 W. Kawili St.
https://hilo.hawaii.edu/exchange/international/ Hilo, HI 96720
USA1-808-932-7489
shumway@hawaii.edu