Big Island Students Earn Free Textbooks

Two Big Island students are the recipients of free textbooks as part of the University of Hawai’i’s “15 to Finish” promotion, in partnership with UH Bookstores.

About $10,000 was awarded to 18 students from across the UH system, including Micah Carter and Mieko Yajima from UH-Hilo and Hawai’i Community College, respectively.

The partnership provided freshmen students the chance to win free textbooks for the following fall semester if they completed 30 or more credits in their first year at a UH system school.

In addition to reducing the costs that are associated with obtaining a post-secondary degree, the program also helped to make students aware of the fact that taking 15 credits each semester helps stay on track to graduate in time.

The students will receive the free textbooks during the Fall 2015 semester.

“Our goal is to continue to build awareness of the fact that a student must take at least 15 credits a semester or 30 credits in a year to complete their degree on time,” said Risa Dickson, UH System vice president for academic affairs. “In the past, taking 12 credits per semester was most common, but we want students to change that mindset.  Research has also shown that students taking 15 credits or more do better academically. Completing a degree on time is the best way to reduce educational costs and start earning an income.”

Eighteen students were randomly selected by UH Bookstores from more than 1,400 eligible students.

“We’re happy to support the UH System with its 15 to Finish campaign by rewarding students with free textbooks,” UH Bookstores Director Tricia Ejima said. “We take pride in providing our students with everything they need for college, and this was just one more way for us to give back.”

It is in the plans for the UH system and the UH Bookstores to offer the promotion again to incoming freshmen. First time freshmen who enter a UH campus in the fall and earn a minimum of 30 credits by the end of May 2016 will be eligible for the promotion.

The promotion is part of the Hawai’i Graduation Initiative.