Scholarships
Ronald K. Toma Scholarship for Professional Learning
Scholarship Requirements and Procedures
A total of $6,000 is allocated for this purpose. Each application will be rated on its merits and ranked. Awarded amounts up to $1,000 each will be deducted by priority applications until the $6,000 threshold is attained. Therefore, there will be multiple awards depending on the priority of activities (conferences, workshops, seminars) and the amounts requested. This scholarship supports those pursuing enrichment opportunities, other than an advanced degree and/or formal post-secondary courses in higher education and professional learning for tenured Hawaii State Department of Education pre-K – 12 teachers and school administrators in good standing who are HEA members.
Employees, officers, and directors of HEA, and their immediate family members and individuals living in the same household (whether related or not) of such employee, officer, or director are not eligible to apply.
Selection will be based on the following information:
- Completed HEA Scholarship Application Form, including the Nature of Study or Training Planned section
- Personal statement
- A letter of reference from a person who is familiar with the applicant’s professional work and goals
- The letter should be relevant to the applicant’s plan of study and goals for professional improvement. This reference letter is confidential and should be sent by the writer via email, submitted through the website or mailed directly to the address listed below.
The following table of points will be applied in scoring:
1-15 points Professional learning related to Academic Plan;
1-10 Points Expected outcomes;
1-10 Points Benefits of professional learning to self and Hawaii DOE;
1-10 points Educational activities and contributions in the:
(5 points) School;
(3 points) Hawaii Education Association (HEA); and
(2 points) Community; and
1-5 points Letter of reference
The HEA Scholarship Committee will review all applications and select the scholarship winners. The Committee’s decision will be final.
If mailing or emailing applications, forms and reference letters, please address them and any questions to:
HEA Scholarship Committee (Ronald K. Toma)
1953 South Beretania Street, Suite 5C
Honolulu, HI 96826
Phone: 949-6657
or hea.office@hawaiieducationassociation.org
Applications, forms and reference letters must be received by 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 via mail, email or submitted through the website.
TO APPLY ONLINE (Click form below):
SY 2026-2027 Ronald K. Toma Professional Learning Application Form
TO OBTAIN PDF FILLABLE (Click form below):
SY 2026-2027 Ronald K. Toma Professional Learning Application Form