How Hawaiʻi college aid works
If you live in Hawaiʻi, the state runs its own college aid on top of federal aid. The one to know is the Hawaiʻi Promise, run by the University of Hawaiʻi System. Here is what it is, who qualifies, when to apply, and how it fits with the FAFSA.
Hawaiʻi's state aid program
Hawaiʻi's flagship state aid is the Hawaiʻi Promise, administered by the University of Hawaiʻi System.
How and when to apply
FAFSA. Covers unmet need at UH community colleges.
The FAFSA is the master form. Filing it early puts a student in line for federal Pell grants and work-study, and it starts most state and college aid too. Some state funds are first come, first served, so it is safer to file the week the FAFSA opens than to wait.
Lowering out-of-state tuition
As a Hawaiʻi resident, you may also qualify for the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): Western residents pay at most ~150% of in-state tuition at participating public colleges in other WUE states. Participation varies by campus and major, so check the official program list.
See the money you qualify for, free
The guide shows a student every grant, scholarship, and state program that fits them, with each deadline in one place. No account, no ads, and nothing you enter ever leaves your device.
Start a free planCommon questions about Hawaiʻi college aid
What is Hawaiʻi's main state financial aid program?
Hawaiʻi's flagship state aid is the Hawaiʻi Promise, administered by the University of Hawaiʻi System.
When do you apply for Hawaiʻi college aid?
FAFSA. Covers unmet need at UH community colleges. Exact dates shift every year, so confirm the current cycle on the University of Hawaiʻi System site before you file.
Do you need the FAFSA for Hawaiʻi state aid?
Yes. Filing the FAFSA (or your state's alternative application) is what starts your Hawaiʻi state grant, and it also unlocks federal Pell grants and work-study. File it as early as you can.
State aid details verified as of July 5, 2026. Dates shift each cycle, so always confirm the current deadline on the official University of Hawaiʻi System site.