Financial Aid: Grants
Tuition Costs and Expenses
Grants and Scholarships
Federal Pell Grant (PELL):
A federal grant for undergraduate students. To be considered, submit your college application and FAFSA.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG):
A federal grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. Minimum enrollment is six credits. To be considered, submit your college application and FAFSA.
Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG):
A federal grant for students with exceptional financial need, eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, graduated from high school after January 2006, passed certain curriculum requirements in high school, and enrolled full-time (12 credits or more). See www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/about/ac-smart/state-programs06.html for specific requirements. To be considered, submit your college application, FAFSA, and your final high school transcript (must include all four years of high school) to the financial aid office(s) at the college(s) of your choice.
Hawaii Student Incentive Grant (HSIG):
A federal grant that is matched with institutional and state funds for legal residents of Hawai‘i enrolled for at least six credits who are eligible for the Pell Grant. To be considered, submit your college application and FAFSA.
State of Hawai‘i B Plus Scholarship:
For public high school seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students must be a resident of Hawai‘i, enrolled at least half time (6 credits or more), and qualify for the Federal Pell Grant. To be considered, submit your college application, FAFSA, and your high school transcript (at time of application) to the financial aid office(s) at the college(s) of your choice.
Centennial Scholarships:
The new University of Hawai‘i Centennial Scholars Program will award $1,000 toward tuition to all UH-bound high school students (including UH Community Colleges) who graduate from a Hawai‘i high school with a 3.8 grade point average or score an 1800 or better on the 3-part SAT, and enrolled full-time (12 credits or more). To be considered, submit your college application and your high school transcript to the financial aid office(s) at the college(s) of your choice.
UH Opportunity Grant:
Formerly administered as tuition waivers, this grant provides aid for students demonstrating financial need. Students apply for the grants by submitting their FAFSA and applying for admission at the UH campus of their choice.
UH Achievement Scholarship:
This scholarship provides aid for students demonstrating achievement based on criteria established by their campus. Scholarships may be awarded for merit, athletic participation, band participation, etc.
Other scholarships may require additional documents such as an application, a personal or goal statement, letters of recommendation, and transcripts. Here are a few offered at the community colleges:
Charles R. Hemenway Scholarship:
For Hawai‘i residents enrolled for at least six credits. Requires a separate application, personal statement, and a letter of recommendation.*
Ruth E. Black Scholarship:
For a student whose parents are/were a part of the construction industry. Students must be Hawai‘i residents and enrolled for at least six credits. Requires a separate application.*
Hawaii Veterans Memorial Fund:
For Hawai‘i residents enrolled full-time (12 or more credits). Although the fund was established to benefit veterans, it has been broadened to help educate deserving residents who demonstrate financial need. Requires a separate application, personal statement, and a letter of recommendation.* Contact the financial aid office at the college of your choice for more scholarships and grant opportunities.
*Scholarship applications can be obtained from your community college financial aid office.
Additional Financial Aid Resources
There are many other financial aid options available to students and their families, including numerous national and local scholarships offered by private donors and organizations. Students should do research to identify other ways to pay for college.
Here are some helpful places to start:
- Federal Student Aid Information Center:General Information about Federal Aid Programs 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)
- PIN Website: Request a PIN to electronically sign your FAFSA at www.pin.ed.gov
- FAFSA on the Web: Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov
- U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid (FSA): Information about Federal Student Aid at www.studentaid.ed.gov
- National Student Loan Data System: Get information about student loans at www.nslds.ed.gov
- Scholarships for Hawai‘i Students University of Hawai‘i Foundation Scholarship: www.uhf.hawaii.edu/scholarships/studentscholarships.aspx
- University of Hawai‘i Student Equity, Excellent and Diversity Scholarships: www.hawaii.edu/diversity/scholarships/
- Hawaii Community Foundation Scholarship: www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org