Chaminade University of Honolulu

HOME RUN Initiative Education Award

Chaminade University is a proud participant in the statewide HOME RUN (Hawaiʻi Outreach for Medical Education in Rural Under-resourced Neighborhoods) initiative, a transformative effort designed to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s healthcare workforce in rural and underserved communities.

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HOME RUN Overview
Eligible Programs
How to Apply
FAQs
Resources
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Your Future in Healthcare Starts Here

Now more than ever, Hawai‘i needs compassionate healthcare professionals to serve communities across the islands. The HOME RUN Initiative Education Award provides free tuition and fees for students pursuing health or health IT careers who commit to working for five (5) years in rural Hawai‘i communities after graduation. Through this initiative, Chaminade University is helping prepare the next generation of healthcare leaders dedicated to caring for Hawai‘i.

HOME RUN Initiative Education Award Eligible Programs

Chaminade received approximately $5 million over five years, beginning in 2026, to support students pursuing degrees in healthcare and behavioral health fields. Below are the programs that qualify for the HOME RUN Initiative.

Bachelor’s Degree Programs

  • B.S. Nursing

Master’s & Doctoral Degree Programs

Certificate Programs

How to Apply

If you’re ready to take the next step in your educational journey, advance your training and career, and join a community of professionals dedicated to building a healthier, stronger Hawai‘i, there are just a few steps to complete to apply to the HOME RUN Initiative Education Award.

Please remember that if you receive the HOME RUN Initiative Education Award to fund for your education, you will need to commit to working for five (5) years in a rural* community in Hawai‘i after graduation.

Rural communities include all neighbor islands and only the following O‘ahu zip codes: 96792 (Wai‘anae), 96786 (Wahiawā), 96795 (Waimānalo), 96717 (Hau‘ula), 96762 (Lā‘ie), 96731 (Kahuku), 96712 (Hale‘iwa), and 96791 (Waialua).

HOME RUN Eligibility Notice

The MSCP School Counseling track is not eligible for HOME RUN funding.

Students who wish to be considered for HOME RUN funding should select the MSCP Mental Health Counseling track when applying to Chaminade University. Eligibility is not based solely on earning an MSCP degree; students must be enrolled in an eligible track and meet all additional HOME RUN requirements, including qualifying employment and service obligations after graduation.

Examples of qualifying mental health counseling positions may include:

  • School-Based Behavioral Health Specialist
  • Mental Health Counselor
  • Behavioral Health Clinician
  • Mental Health Care Coordinator
  • Substance Use Treatment Counselor
  • Behavioral Health Specialist

HOME RUN Frequently Asked Questions

No, Chaminade University does not administer the HOME RUN Education Award. The HOME RUN program is administered through the University of Hawaiʻi.

Chaminade works with the HOME RUN program to verify student enrollment and eligibility information and to apply approved HOME RUN Education Awards to eligible student accounts.

No. Chaminade institutional scholarships cannot be combined or stacked with the HOME RUN award. If you receive a HOME RUN award, applicable Chaminade institutional aid will be removed from your financial aid package.

Eligibility for federal grants is determined separately from eligibility for HOME RUN. A HOME RUN recipient who otherwise meets federal eligibility requirements may be eligible for federal financial aid, including the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), where applicable.

Students must complete the FAFSA and meet all applicable federal eligibility requirements. Federal grants are awarded in accordance with federal regulations, including requirements related to enrollment, financial need, program eligibility, and satisfactory academic progress.

Because HOME RUN funding is also considered educational assistance, Chaminade’s Financial Aid Office will evaluate how HOME RUN and federal aid interact when determining the student’s overall financial aid package.

Yes. Students may receive outside scholarships or other educational assistance in addition to HOME RUN, subject to applicable financial aid and HOME RUN requirements.

Students are required to report outside scholarships, grants, tuition assistance, employer assistance, or other educational resources to Chaminade’s Financial Aid Office.

Chaminade’s Financial Aid Office will consider all applicable financial resources when determining the student’s overall financial aid eligibility. Federal financial aid regulations may limit the total amount of financial assistance a student can receive based on the student’s cost of attendance and other applicable aid limits.

If your total financial aid exceeds your applicable cost of attendance (COA) or another applicable aid limit, Chaminade’s Financial Aid Office will review your financial aid package. One or more sources of aid may need to be reduced or adjusted in accordance with applicable federal, institutional, and HOME RUN requirements.

HOME RUN Education Awards are intended to cover eligible tuition and required educational fees associated with an approved program. Eligible expenses generally must be charges posted directly to the student’s Chaminade account.

No. HOME RUN Education Awards are intended to cover eligible tuition and required course or educational fees charged to the student’s account.

Students should not assume that all educational or personal expenses are covered. Books, equipment, supplies, uniforms, technology, licensing costs, transportation, and other expenses may not be eligible for HOME RUN funding.

No. HOME RUN is intended to cover eligible tuition and required educational fees. Housing, meals, transportation, books, supplies, and other personal or living expenses are not covered unless specifically identified as eligible under the student’s HOME RUN award.

Students must meet the enrollment requirements established for their HOME RUN program and Education Award.

Because HOME RUN supports specific education and workforce-development pathways, enrollment requirements may vary by program. Students whose enrollment changes should contact the HOME RUN program and Chaminade’s Financial Aid Office as soon as possible, as a change in enrollment may affect HOME RUN eligibility.

Summer eligibility depends on the student’s approved program of study and the terms of the student’s HOME RUN Education Award.

If summer enrollment is included in the student’s approved program, HOME RUN funding may be available, subject to HOME RUN requirements.

Students should confirm summer eligibility with the HOME RUN program before registering for summer coursework.

HOME RUN recipients must continue to satisfy the requirements outlined in their HOME RUN Education Award agreement.

Renewal requirements may include:

  • Remaining enrolled in an eligible program;
  • Maintaining satisfactory academic progress;
  • Making appropriate progress toward program completion;
  • Meeting applicable institutional and financial aid requirements;
  • Maintaining eligibility for the approved HOME RUN pathway;
  • Completing required HOME RUN program activities; and
  • Continuing to meet the requirements associated with the rural Hawaiʻi service commitment.

HOME RUN recipients are expected to complete their approved educational program and fulfill the post-graduation service commitment outlined in their award agreement.

Specific renewal and continued-eligibility requirements are governed by the student’s HOME RUN Education Award agreement.

Students who lose eligibility because of an enrollment change, academic performance, leave of absence, or another circumstance should contact the HOME RUN program and Chaminade’s Financial Aid Office as soon as possible.

Whether an award can be reinstated will depend on HOME RUN program requirements and the circumstances that resulted in the loss of eligibility.

Withdrawing from a course may affect your HOME RUN eligibility, enrollment status, satisfactory academic progress, program completion timeline, and financial aid.

If a withdrawal causes you to fall below the enrollment requirements for HOME RUN, your award may need to be reviewed or adjusted.

Students should contact Chaminade’s Financial Aid Office and the HOME RUN program before withdrawing whenever possible so they understand the potential financial and programmatic consequences.

A withdrawal may also result in the recalculation or return of federal financial aid in accordance with applicable federal requirements.

Students should follow the renewal or continued-eligibility requirements communicated by the HOME RUN program and outlined in their HOME RUN Education Award agreement.

HOME RUN awards are based on eligible educational costs and the terms of the student’s award agreement.

If tuition or required fees change, the student’s HOME RUN award may be reviewed to determine whether an adjustment is necessary or permitted under HOME RUN guidelines.

Chaminade will apply the HOME RUN Education Award to your student account after receiving the necessary award information and confirming that applicable enrollment, eligibility, and institutional requirements have been satisfied.

Before the award can be applied, students may be required to:

  • Be enrolled in the approved HOME RUN-eligible program;
  • Meet applicable enrollment requirements;
  • Complete required financial aid documentation;
  • Satisfy applicable HOME RUN eligibility requirements; and
  • Resolve any outstanding requirements that prevent the award from being applied to the student account.

Because HOME RUN is administered outside of Chaminade University, the timing of the award appearing on a student’s account may depend on when Chaminade receives confirmation and funding information from the HOME RUN program.

Resources

Chaminade University

HOME RUN Initiative

Questions

If you have any questions, we’re happy to help you. Please contact Dr. Chrystie Naeole at [email protected].