Hawaii Promise awards may cover 95% of unmet college costs

The program provides scholarships equal to 95% of qualified students’ unmet direct cost needs. This applies to qualified students enrolled at a University of Hawaii community college campus. Awards depend on available funds and go first to students with the greatest need. Pell grants and other scholarships are subtracted from the award. For certificate students, the University of Hawaii chooses how to measure unmet direct cost needs, and grants and other scholarships are subtracted. The Act took effect July 1, 2026.

Students must meet the listed requirements to be considered for a scholarship. Students must qualify for Hawaii resident tuition, enroll in a degree or certificate program for at least six credits per semester, and have unmet direct cost needs. Scholarship consideration is limited to eight semesters. Students must complete the federal student aid application each academic year and accept federal and state aid that does not require repayment. The application and aid requirement does not apply to certificate students. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to keep a scholarship. The Act took effect July 1, 2026.

The program may coordinate with federal aid and must administer conflicting rules to preserve federal aid eligibility while providing the most state assistance allowed. These rules apply to the Hawaii community college promise program and its administration of student aid. The program must preserve students’ eligibility for federal aid if a state provision conflicts with federal aid rules or law. The coordination provision took effect July 1, 2026.