To qualify for most Federal aid programs you must meet the following requirements:
- be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen (permanent resident).
- be enrolled at least half-time in a degree granting program (classified student) (Pell excluded).
- be making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree.
- not be in default on a loan or owe a refund on a federal grant.
- demonstrate financial need.
- have obtained a high school diploma, GED, or completed a secondary education home schooling credential.
Federal Financial Aid Programs include:
FEDERAL PELL GRANTS: These are need-based federal grants available to undergraduate students attending college as a CLASSIFIED student seeking a degree or certificate who have not previously earned a Bachelor’s degree.
FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS (SEOG): These grants are available to undergraduate students with high financial need who are enrolled in college at least half-time as a CLASSIFIED student seeking a degree or certificate who have not previously earned a Bachelor’s degree.
FEDERAL WORK STUDY PROGRAM (FWS): This program provides funds for part-time employment. Students are limited to a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic terms. An individual student’s award is based upon his/her individual need and the availability of funds.
SUBSIDIZED FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN: Subsidized loans are available to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. Annual loan limits vary depending on a student's academic level and existing federal direct loan balance. Interest is paid (subsidized) by the federal government while the student is enrolled in school at least half time or more, for the first six months after a student leaves school (grace period) and during a period of deferment.
UNSUBSIDIZED FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN: Unsubsidized loans are available to undergraduate students. There is no requirement to demonstrate financial need. Annual loan limits vary depending on a student's academic level and existing federal direct loan balance.The student is responsible for paying the interest on an unsubsidized loan during all periods.
State, Institutional, Private, and Other Financial Assistance:
B PLUS SCHOLARSHIP: Recipients are selected based on the following eligibility criteria:
- Graduated from a public high school in the State of Hawai‘i;
- Earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher based on high school transcript;
- Completed a rigorous high school curriculum or earned a Board of Education (BOE) Recognition Diploma;
- Demonstrated financial need according to the Federal financial aid guidelines for students via completion and submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form;
- Hawai‘i resident for tuition purposes;
- Be admitted and attend as a freshmen in the fall semester immediately following graduation from high school; and
- Enrolled as a full-time classified undergraduate.
Kaua'i CC OPPORTUNITY GRANT: Tuition grants and scholarships to resident or non-resident undergraduate and graduate/professional students who demonstrate financial need, merit, or service.
Hawai‘i Promise Scholarship
Hawai‘i’s Promise: The Hawai‘i Promise Scholarship is a need-based award intended to be applied toward the unmet need of qualified students enrolled at any community college campus of the University of Hawai‘i.
Awards are contingent upon funding and amounts are determined by the individual students’ FAFSA information. Recipients are selected based on the following criteria combined with the use of a selecting algorithm.
Student eligibility:
- Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (https://fafsa.gov/).
- Must be a State of Hawai‘i resident or qualify for exempt status that pays in-state tuition.
- Must be enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester within the UH System and at least 1 credit at home institution.
- Must be degree-seeking in a financial aid eligible program.
- Must not possess a bachelor's degree.
- Must be meeting Kaua‘i CC's Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.
Hawaiʻi Promise provides aid for any financial needs not met by other forms of financial aid, such as federal grants and benefits and scholarships from UH (University of Hawai‘i) or other sources. Its goal is to provide free in-state tuition for qualified UH (University of Hawai‘i) Community College students and covers tuition, fees, books, supplies and transportation.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON APPLICATIONS, ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS, AND OTHER FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS CONTACT THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE AT 245-8360.
See the entry on Scholarship Programs for more information.