Scholarships & Grants

Federal Pell Grant (PELL)

A federal grant for students who have not received a bachelor’s degree or a professional degree. As of July 1, 2012, there is a 600% lifetime limit on the Federal Pell Grant. A student will be restricted to the equivalent of 6-full-time years of obtaining a Federal Pell Grant for any degree. Be aware of this restriction and have an academic plan to ensure you meet your program requirements before this time. Remember, the highest degree Kapiʻolani CC offers is an Associate degree. If you plan to transfer to obtain your bachelor’s degree you want to ensure you do it within this timeframe. You may monitor your lifetime limit at the Federal Student Aid website.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

A federal grant does not have to be repaid. Awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial needs. Pell Grant recipients with the lowest expected family contributions (EFCs) will be considered first for an SEOG. Students must be enrolled for at least 6 credits.

State of Hawaiʻi B Plus Scholarship

Established by the State of Hawaiʻi to support increased access to education and recognize public Hawaiʻi high school graduates with a high school GPA of at least 3.0 demonstrating financial need. Eligibility includes: graduation from a Hawaiʻi public high school after 2005, high school GPA at least 3.00, bona fide resident of Hawai`i, and demonstrated financial need. For students who graduated high school in 2016 and after, eligibility also includes the following: 4 cr English; 3 cr Math – Algebra 1, Geometry & newly developed CS proficiency-based equivalents, including Algebra II or higher; 3 cr Sciences including Biology & newly developed CCSS proficiency-based equivalents, including Chemistry/Physics; 3 cr College Preparatory Courses ex: Foreign/World Language/Fine Arts/Social Sciences. Applicants must apply for financial aid and submit a copy of their high school transcripts,

Kapiʻolani Opportunity Grant

Need-based institutional grant that does not have to be repaid. This grant covers a portion of tuition costs for credit courses. Grant does not cover student fees. Students must be enrolled for at least 6 credits.

Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver

Native Hawaiian Tuition Waivers were established to support the increased number of Hawaiian and part-Hawaiian students seeking a degree. This program waives a portion of tuition costs for credit courses but does not cover student fees. Students must be enrolled for at least 6 credits.

Kapiʻolani Pacific Islander Scholarship

The UH Pacific Islander Scholarship was established to provide relevant education and training to those who will assume positions of leadership, responsibility, and service in the Pacific region. Students designated with an exemption status for tuition purposes (pays 150% of resident tuition), residents of a U.S. affiliated Pacific Island, and applying for financial assistance using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may be considered for this award. The award assists in paying 150% of the resident tuition differential. The scholarship does not cover student fees or pre-college classes (PCC or PCM classes).

Hawai‘i Promise Scholarship

Hawai‘i Promise, funded by the State of Hawai‘i provides scholarships to qualified new, continuing, and transfer students pursuing a degree at one of the UH Community Colleges. 100% of students’ unmet tuition need is met through a combination of federal grants (if applicable), other scholarships, and Hawai‘i Promise.

Additional terms and conditions:

• Hawai‘i Promise is available for Hawai‘i residents who enroll in six or more credits at a UH Community College during the Fall or Spring terms.
• Unmet tuition need is based on the cost of tuition, information from a student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and other aid received. Hawai‘i Promise supports tuition costs that are not fully covered by other grants and scholarships.
• To qualify, students must submit their FAFSA and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (e.g., 2.0 grade point average).