Hawaii college grants from the state come mainly through the Hawaiʻi Promise Program, a state-funded, last-dollar award that covers direct educational costs for eligible Hawaiʻi residents at the seven University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges. You qualify by filing the FAFSA, ideally by the March 1 priority deadline, and enrolling in at least six credits. Because Promise is a community college program, students starting at a four-year campus lean mostly on the Federal Pell Grant and the campus’s own aid.
What Hawaiʻi Promise covers
The UH Community Colleges say the program “makes higher education accessible for Hawaiʻi residents by covering direct educational costs at any University of Hawaiʻi Community College” (University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges, Hawaiʻi Promise Program). If you qualify, it “bridges the financial gap” to cover:
- Tuition and fees
- Books
It is a grant, not a loan. UHCC says it is “money you never have to pay back.”
Hawaiʻi Promise is last-dollar: it pays what remains of those direct costs after other aid, such as the Federal Pell Grant, is applied. That is why there is no fixed award. UHCC notes that amounts “are contingent upon funding and amounts are based upon enrollment level, financial need, and other financial resources.”
How much students actually receive
UHCC reports that “in the 2024–25 academic year alone, $5.5 million was awarded to 1,941 students—with an average award of $2,933 per student,” and that more than 11,900 students have been helped since the program launched in 2017. The average is not a promise. A student whose Pell Grant already covers tuition, fees and books may receive little or no Promise money, while a student with need but a smaller Pell award may receive more.
Who is eligible for Hawaiʻi Promise
UHCC lists four conditions:
- You are a Hawaiʻi state resident who qualifies for in-state tuition.
- You are enrolled in a UH Community College degree-seeking program that accepts financial aid, which UHCC says includes almost all programs.
- You take at least six credits per semester.
- You maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.
The six-credit minimum is low on purpose. UHCC says that is “usually just one or two classes,” which makes the program workable for adults returning to school while holding a job.
How to apply for Hawaiʻi Promise
- Complete the FAFSA. UHCC asks students to submit it “by the financial aid priority deadline of March 1 for first consideration.” For fall 2027, that is the 2027-28 FAFSA. Our guide on how to fill out the FAFSA walks through each section.
- Enroll and register at any of the seven UH Community College campuses.
There is no separate Promise application. UHCC’s advice is direct: “Even if you aren’t sure you qualify, you should still apply to find out!” Our FAFSA deadlines guide explains why a priority date like March 1 matters when funds are limited.
Hawaiʻi Promise at a glance
| Question | What UHCC says |
|---|---|
| Where it applies | The seven University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges |
| What it covers | Tuition and fees, and books, after other aid |
| Residency | Hawaiʻi resident qualifying for in-state tuition |
| Enrollment | At least 6 credits per semester in an aid-eligible degree program |
| GPA | At least 2.0 |
| Application | FAFSA; March 1 priority deadline for first consideration |
| 2024-25 results | $5.5 million to 1,941 students; average $2,933 |
Free FAFSA help in Hawaiʻi
UHCC offers free one-on-one help with the FAFSA by email at [email protected]. Each campus financial aid office also helps directly:
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- Hawaiʻi Community College: (808) 934-2712
- Honolulu Community College: (808) 845-9116
- Kapiʻolani Community College: (808) 734-9537
- Kauaʻi Community College: (808) 245-8360
- Leeward Community College: (808) 455-0606
- UH Maui College: (808) 984-3277
- Windward Community College: (808) 235-7449
Paying for a four-year Hawaiʻi college
Hawaiʻi Promise is a community college program. If you are starting at a four-year campus, the aid that matters most is:
- The Federal Pell Grant, from the same FAFSA.
- Your campus’s own scholarships and grants, which often have their own application and earlier dates.
- Local scholarships from Hawaiʻi foundations, employers and community groups. Our free scholarship finder can help you find matches.
Many Hawaiʻi students also start at a community college on Promise and transfer, which can lower the total cost of a bachelor’s degree.
How Promise fits with federal aid
Because Promise is calculated after Pell, your FAFSA drives both. For award years beginning on or after July 1, 2026, a student whose non-federal aid equals or exceeds the cost of attendance is not eligible for Pell, according to a June 4, 2026 Federal Student Aid electronic announcement. Cost of attendance also includes housing, food and transportation, so a last-dollar award covering tuition, fees and books rarely approaches it.
Questions Hawaiʻi families ask
Does Promise cover living costs?
UHCC lists tuition and fees and books as the covered costs. Plan for housing, food and transportation from Pell (where it exceeds tuition), work or other aid.
I’m part time. Can I still get it?
Yes, if you take at least six credits a semester and meet the other rules. Amounts depend on enrollment level, so a part-time student’s award may be smaller.
What if my income changed after the tax year on the FAFSA?
Ask your campus financial aid office about a professional judgment review, with documents showing the change. The office can adjust the data used for your aid but is not required to.
What should I do this month?
File the 2027-28 FAFSA, then choose your campus and register. Email [email protected] if you get stuck; the help is free. If you already attend, check that your GPA stays at 2.0 or higher so you remain eligible next term.
Where to go next
Compare Hawaiʻi with other states in our guide to state grants for college. For first consideration for fall 2027, file the 2027-28 FAFSA by March 1, 2027.