State of Hawaii Financial Aid Programs

/Home/Student Loan Information by State/Hawaii Student Loans

II. State of Hawaii Programs
A. Hawaii State Need-Based Opportunity Grant

Recipients must be bona fide residents of Hawaii. The awards are for students with financial need who are enrolled at least half-time. The award amount can be up to the cost of tuition.

B. Hawaii State Merit-Based Achievement Scholarships

These scholarships are available to resident and non-resident students who merit assistance because of their achievement and/or service to UH Hilo. The award may cover up to the cost of tuition.

C. Hawaii Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (LEAP)

This program provides tuition grants to bona fide Hawaii residents with financial need. Recipients must also be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant.

D. State Higher Education Loan (SHEL)

Loan funds are available to qualified bona fide Hawaii residents who demonstrate financial need. Students may borrow up to $4,000 annually, up to $8,000 aggregate for the first two years of undergraduate work and up to $20,000 aggregate for a bachelor's degree. The interest rate is a fixed 5% with repayment beginning 9 months after a student ceases to attend at least half-time. Loans are repaid in monthly installments over a ten-year period. Recipients must complete a promissory note which will be mailed after the loan has been accepted on the Financial Aid Award Letter. Note: First-time borrowers must complete an entrance counseling session before loan funds can be released. See the Loan Counseling section for additional information.

E. Hawaii B Plus Scholarship Program

Grant funds are available to 2006 - 2009 graduates of public Hawaii high schools who have a 3.00 or higher high school grade point average and have completed three years of high school math.

F. Second Century Scholars Program

Grant funds are available to Undergraduate, Graduate or Professional students with Native Hawaiian Ancestry, priority to residents of Hawaii. The awards are for students with financial need who are enrolled at least half-time.

III. Institutional Programs
A. Scholarships

The University of Hawaii at Hilo awards a number of academic merit scholarships. The purpose of the scholarship program is to recognize students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance and to encourage those students who show academic potential and a willingness to participate in community activities. The scholarship awards imply the expectation of continued exceptional performance and leadership by the recipients in the years ahead. These awards are competitive. Normally, recipients must be enrolled full-time and demonstrate financial need. You may apply for scholarships at https://uhhhawaii.scholarships.ngwebsolutions.com

B. Athletic Scholarships

The various team coaches in the Athletic Department determine these awards.

C. Pacific Islander Scholarship

Effective with the Fall 2007 semester, UH Hilo has established a Pacific Islander Scholarship. To be eligible for this scholarship, students must:

be accepted by the UH Hilo Admissions Office with a residency status of Pacific Islander Non-Resident Exempt. The residency status is reflected on the acceptance letter issued by the Admissions Office.
demonstrate financial need. Financial need is demonstrated by applying for financial aid, using the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). And
be a new student entering UH Hilo in Fall 2007 or later, or returning to UH Hilo in Fall 2007 or later after taking a break from enrollment at UH Hilo.
enroll as a classified student in either an undergraduate, graduate or post-baccalaureate program.
enroll at least half-time (6 or more credits per semester).
The maximum amount of the scholarship for the 2009- 2010 academic year is $2,292. (This amount is the difference between 150% of the resident tuition rate and the resident tuiton rate for a full-time student.) Students do not need to submit an application form; eligible students will be automatically considered for this scholarship.

D. Western Undergraduate Exchange Program

The University of Hawaii at Hilo participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), a program of the Western Inter-state Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) and other western states. Through WUE, students in western states may enroll at UH Hilo at a reduced tuition of 150 percent of the institution's regular resident tuition. Log onto the WUE site at www.uhh.hawaii.edu/pdf/wueapp.pdf for more information.

E. The University of Hawaii at Hilo Regular Student Employment Program

UHH provides additional employment opportunities for students to meet their college expenses. This program is for those students who do not have a demonstrated financial need but who have an interest in working on-campus. The Student Employment Office maintains a list of job openings.

IV. Other Financial Aid
A. Veterans Assistance

All programs available to veterans/children of veterans are administered through the Records Office. If you are eligible for assistance through these programs, please contact the Records Office. Questions concerning eligibility may be directed to the Veterans Administration by calling 1-888-GIBILL1.

B. Outside Scholarships

If you are receiving an outside scholarship, you are required to notify the Financial Aid Office. Scholarships will first be used to reduce any unmet need and/or any need-based work/loans in the financial aid award. If necessary grant awards may also be adjusted.