Financial aid helps students and their families pay for college. This financial assistance covers educational expenses including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. There are several types of financial aid, including grants and scholarships, work study, and loans. Financial aid awards may include a combination of the various types of aid.
The Financial Aid Offices at each campus have professional staff members to administer the aid programs and advise students and their families regarding the financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to them.
A grant is a form of financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund). For information about grants, please visit the Federal Student Aid website.
Under the Federal Work-Study Program, you can work part-time to earn money for your education. Federal Work-Study (FWS) job openings can be viewed at www.hawaii.edu/sece.
The FWS Program provides part-time employment while you are enrolled in school, helps pay your educational expenses, is available to undergraduate, graduate, full-time, and part-time students, is administered by schools participating in the FWS Program, and encourages community service work and work related to your course of study, whenever possible.
Scholarships are gift aid that is awarded based on a variety of factors, such as academic achievement, leadership, field of study, and/or financial need. Scholarships do not need to be repaid. The UH System Common Scholarship Application is one application for numerous scholarships and for students at any of the ten UH campuses.
Hawaiʻi Promise Program: UH Community Colleges are committed to meeting direct costs for qualified students from Hawaiʻi. Hawaiʻi Promise, funded by the State of Hawaiʻi, provides financial assistance to qualified students pursuing a degree at one of the UH Community Colleges. Students' direct cost need is met through a combination of federal grants (if applicable) and other aid, including Hawaiʻi Promise. Award amounts are contingent upon funding, financial need, and number of credits enrolled.
Additional terms and conditions:
Click here for additional information about Hawaiʻi Promise.
UH Opportunity Grants: Grants available to students who are enrolled in at least six credits, show demonstrated financial need, and meet satisfactory progress requirements. Eligibility is based upon financial need as determined through the FAFSA.
Charles R. Hemenway Scholarship: A scholarship for bonafide Hawai’i residents pursuing their first degree. Students must be enrolled for at least six credits and demonstrate financial need based on the FAFSA. Requires a personal statement and a letter of recommendation.
Hawai’i Veterans Memorial Scholarship: A scholarship for bonafide Hawai’i residents pursuing their first degree. Students must be enrolled for at least 12 credits and demonstrate financial need based on the FAFSA. Requires personal statement and letter of recommendation.
Ruth E. Black Scholarship: A scholarship for Hawai’i residents whose parents are/were a part of the construction industry. Students must be pursuing their first degree and demonstrate financial need based on the information provided on the FAFSA. Requires a minimum enrollment of at least six credits.
Second Century Scholarship: A scholarship for Native Hawaiian students pursuing their first degree. Students must be Hawai’i residents and demonstrate financial need based on the FAFSA. Requires a minimum enrollment of at least 6 credits.
Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver: A waiver for Native Hawaiian students pursuing their first degree. Students must be Hawai’i residents and demonstrate financial need based on the information provided on the FAFSA. Requires a minimum enrollment of at least 6 credits.