Financial Aid FAQs

To complete the FAFSA you may use the IRS Data Retrieval. This process will link your application to the IRS and you may transfer your IRS information directly to your FAFSA.

If you are unable able to participate in the IRS Data Retrieval you may call the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 1-800-829-1040 or complete and mail Form 4506. For more information, see “IRS Copies & Transcripts”.

Applications are available October 1st for the upcoming academic year. Current year applications are available on an ongoing basis. Apply online at the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website. If you do not have access to a computer or are unable to file online, please visit the Kekaulike Center for Admissions, Records, Graduation & Financial Aid (Kekaulike Center) for assistance in applying online or to download a paper application.

Our priority deadline is March 1st for the upcoming academic year. We highly recommend that you complete and submit all documents by the designated deadline to insure that funds are available on the first day of instruction. Our office should have received the results from FAFSA by the deadline, therefore, remember to allow time for the processing of the application. However, the office continues to process applications until funds are depleted or the academic year has ended.

Parent information is used because the U.S. Congress has said that families have the primary responsibility of funding a college education. Parent information is not necessary if you are independent. By federal definition, you are considered independent if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• You are 24 years or older by December 31st of the award year
• You are married by the date you filed your FAFSA
• You are working on a masters or doctorate degree
• You have legal dependents that fit the following definition:
  • Children who receive more than half of their support from you or other people living with you who receive more than half of their support from you and will continue to receive that support during the academic year you are applying for (do not include your children or your spouse)
• You are a ward of the court at any time since you turned age 13 or both parents are deceased. If you were a ward of the court at any time since you turned age of 13, please submit documentation showing your release from court custody upon reaching age 18
• You are an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence
• You are/were in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence
• You are an unaccompanied youth and homeless as determined by your high school or school district; director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; or director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program.
• You are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training
• You are veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. You are considered a veteran if you:
  • have engaged in active service in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard and were released under a condition other than dishonorable
• You are NOT a veteran if you:
  • never engaged in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces
  • were only a ROTC student
  • were only a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies
  • were only a National Guard or Reserves enlistee activated only for training purposes
  • are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, and will continue to serve through June 30 prior to academic the year you are applying

You are not automatically independent for financial aid purposes simply because your parents stop claiming you as a tax exemption or refuse to give you support for your college education. Unwillingness, inability, or reluctance of parents to help pay for your educational costs or becoming emancipated, or demonstrating self-sufficiency do not make you independent by federal law.

The Financial Aid Office may make allowances for students to be independent if you can demonstrate extenuating family circumstances on a case by case basis. You must make an appointment with one of our Financial Aid Specialists to discuss your circumstances.

You have the responsibility to follow up on your financial aid application. You should receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the federal processor via email when they have completed processing your FAFSA. This usually takes between 24 – 72 hours. When you receive your copy of the SAR, we will receive it electronically provided that you listed our school code on your application. Read carefully and make any corrections and resubmit, if needed.

After reviewing your electronic SAR, we may send you (via email) a request for additional information or forms to complete. You should submit all completed forms to our office as soon as possible.

You can check your status at MyUH. When we have completed the review process with all the requested documents on file, you will be emailed a notification informing whether or not you are eligible for financial aid.

When you apply for financial aid, you do not have to apply for a particular type or amount of aid. Aid applicants are automatically considered for all available aid programs administered by our office. One or more types of aid are usually awarded in combination to make up a student’s financial aid package. Student’s who receive scholarships from outside agencies or through their departments must inform our office and these scholarships will be included as a part of their financial aid package.

Verification is a process whereby the information reported on the FAFSA is confirmed with tax returns and other documents. Since the FAFSA may be filed prior to tax filing, it is crucial that our office ensure that the information is accurate and that the funds are awarded only to eligible students.

If you are selected, you are required to submit the documents required. Those are reviewed and when discrepancies are found, corrections are sent to the federal processor to recalculate the eligibility. It may result in a decrease in total aid, loss of the Pell Grant and other grant aid, or an increase in total aid and loans.

After Kapiʻolani Community College (Kapi‘olani CC) receives your valid SAR, which is the results of your FAFSA, and all required documentation, your file will be reviewed within approximately 3 weeks.

The FAFSA is required for all need-based financial aid, including loans. It evaluates the family’s ability to contribute toward college costs. The information is used to determine eligibility for Grants, Loans, and Work-Study. It is a federal requirement that the family’s eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant, a Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan and other federal aid programs be considered. Often parents may think they are not eligible for some programs when in fact they may be. Filing the FAFSA ensures that the family is considered fully for all programs.

If you are interested in a borrowing a student loan, please review and follow the steps at the Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program Information page.

• Step 1) File the FAFSA
• Step 2) Complete the Federal Direct Stafford Loan Entrance Counseling
• Step 3) Complete the Federal Direct Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note

If you are unable to complete this process online, please contact the Kekaulike Center to schedule an appointment to meet with a Financial Aid Specialist.