The University of Hawaiʻi has been selected as one of 10 recipients of a national grant from Lumina Foundation’s to expand its Direct2����Vlog�ٷ� program. The $400,000 grant is part of the foundation’s $3.5 million investment to simplify the college admissions process and expand student access across the country.

Building on the success of Direct2����Vlog�ٷ�—the direct admissions initiative launched in October 2025, offering free entry to public high school seniors based on their GPA—the grant will fund a unified admissions system with enhanced outreach and guidance. This creates a more equitable pathway for Hawaiʻi students to apply, access financial aid and enroll across nine campuses, with ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� expected to join the program later this year.

“This investment allows us to build a simpler, more connected pathway to college for Hawaiʻi‘s students—one that ensures every learner, regardless of background or geography, has clear and supported opportunities, making it easier for more students to move from aspiration to enrollment and ultimately to success,” said Farrah-Marie Gomes, ����Vlog�ٷ� associate vice president for student affairs. “This work matters locally because it directly addresses the barriers our students face and strengthens our responsibility as a statewide system to serve every community.”

Lumina’s Great Admissions Redesign initiative supports states, systems and institutions in integrating admissions, financial aid, advising and enrollment systems. The goal is to remove unnecessary barriers and help more students successfully enroll in and complete college.

“Across the country, we’re seeing real momentum to rethink how students access college,” said Melanie Heath, Lumina strategy director. “This cohort reflects a clear shift from fragmented fixes to coordinated, student-centered systems.”

Commitment to college access

At full scale, Direct2����Vlog�ٷ� will reach students at all public and charter high schools across the state, with implementation in partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education and Hawaiʻi P–20. By aligning systems and expanding support, it will increase college access and enrollment statewide, particularly for rural and underserved communities.

Lumina’s Great Admissions Redesign initiative is part of a broader national effort to increase post-high school attainment and advance Lumina’s Goal 2040, which aims for 75 percent of working-age adults to hold a credential of value.

For many nursing students, the cost of tuition and living expenses can create a heavy financial burden while balancing coursework and clinical training. The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� has partnered with Social Finance to offer zero-interest student loans through the , a program designed to help students cover educational costs without the burden of high-interest debt.

Eligible ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� undergraduate nursing students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program who are within two years of graduation can to cover the cost of attendance after grants and scholarships. Applicants must be permanent Hawaiʻi residents and qualify as low-income. Loan amounts range from $2,000 to $15,000 per academic year.

The loan program continues to support students in the College of Engineering, where it was launched to help students with demonstrated financial need complete their degrees. The ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� School of Nursing & Dental Hygiene is the latest ����Vlog�ٷ� program to join the initiative, expanding access to more students across the university.

“We’re excited to join this new program, building on its success with other ����Vlog�ٷ� students,” said Clementina Ceria-Ulep, dean of the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� School of Nursing & Dental Hygiene. “This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting nursing students as they complete their degrees and prepare for careers in the local healthcare workforce.”

The school is holding an informational session with Social Finance on Monday, February 9, 2026 from 11:30 – 12:30 p.m.

How the program works

The Hawaiʻi Renewable Learning Fund provides eligible students with loans that carry zero interest and no origination fees, helping cover remaining costs of tuition, living expenses and other educational needs not met by grants and scholarships.

After graduation, students repay their loans through fixed monthly payments over up to five years, with options to defer monthly payments when income falls below a minimum threshold. Repayments are recycled into the fund to support future students, creating a sustainable resource.

By offering financial flexibility while in school, the program allows students to focus on their studies and clinical training, helping them complete their degrees with less stress and prepare for careers in Hawaiʻi’s healthcare community.

����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Nursing prepares bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral nurses to serve diverse populations across Hawaiʻi and the Asia-Pacific region. Its online master’s program is nationally ranked. Graduates consistently achieve high licensure pass rates, reflecting the program’s academic standards and workforce preparation.

For more information about the zero-interest loan, visit the . ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Nursing students who have questions should contact their Office of Student Services advisor.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo has received a $1 million gift to establish the Kruschel Endowment to Reduce Insecurity (KERI), a new fund dedicated to support students facing financial or personal challenges that threaten to disrupt their education.

Rooted in compassion and opportunity, the endowment will provide direct assistance to ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo students facing financial hardship, focusing on such basic needs as housing, food, transportation, communication, technology and access to essential resources. All encompassing, the fund targets the everyday challenges that too often force students to choose between survival and success.

Pathway to opportunity

Created by a gay married couple with kids who relocated to Hawaiʻi Island from San Francisco, the endowment reflects their shared belief that education is a pathway to opportunity and stability. The donors, Gary and John, were moved by their own family histories and a deep commitment to helping others.

“Education changes everything,” Gary said. “My mother was born into abject poverty in a New York City tenement and used education to build a better life for herself through full-ride scholarships. We want to give ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo students the same chance—to focus on their education instead of worrying about their basic needs.”

The KERI fund addresses rising concerns about the number of ����Vlog�ٷ� students facing housing, food and financial instability. The new endowment will bolster ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo’s capacity to respond quickly and caringly when students face emergencies.

“We’ve seen how quickly poverty and uncertainty—when you can’t count on where your next meal or rent will come from—can turn everyday challenges into overwhelming barriers,” John said. “It’s hard to focus on school or work under those conditions, so we wanted to make sure ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo students facing financial hardship wouldn’t have to give up their education just to take care of their basic needs or their families.”

Mission in action

The gift represents the very heart of ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo’s mission to support students through every stage of their journey.

“We are a campus that meets students where they are, both academically and personally,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin. “The Kruschel Endowment gives us the ability to respond when life’s challenges threaten to derail a student’s dreams. It’s a powerful expression of aloha and belief in the transformative potential of education.”

The fund’s impact complements ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo’s strategic goal of expanding opportunities and aligns with the campus’s basic needs programs, helping fill the gaps between financial aid, scholarships and daily living expenses.

Gary and John view their endowment as both a call to action and an investment in Hawaiʻi’s future. “Both our families really impressed upon us the value of an education and how much that can help,” they said. “If we can help ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo students stay in school and build a better life, then this gift has done its job.”

Awards launching 2026

The Kruschel Endowment to Reduce Insecurity will begin providing awards to ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo students in fall 2026.

For more information about supporting students at ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo, visit ’s website.

Fall 2024 enrollment at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� surpassed 20,000 students for the first time since 2013. The final enrollment numbers will not be official until the first week of October, but as of September 17, there are 20,012 students enrolled at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�, a 4% increase over 2023.

“This milestone is the work of so many who over these past years have built a superb enrollment management program that recruits great students from Hawaiʻi and beyond,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� President David Lassner. “And it’s not just about recruiting students, it’s about retaining them. Credit for that goes to our amazing faculty, our advisors, our support staff, and all of the people who make Hawaiʻi’s own global research university such a special place to study.”

Record high first-time freshmen

����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� is also welcoming a record high 3,123 first-time freshmen in fall 2024. This is the 3rd straight year, the university has reached 3,000 or more freshmen after surpassing the mark for the first time in the university’s 117-year history in 2022.

“These enrollment numbers should not come as a surprise as ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� is one of the top universities in the world, delivering a world-class education at a cost that our students and their families can afford,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno. “This type of success does not happen overnight and is the result of years of hard work and data driven improvements. Another difference maker is that we are doing a better job of consistently telling our stories, an effort that started over a decade ago.”

Record freshmen recruitment

The record number of first time freshmen also included record highs in other categories (as of September 17):

• 1,849 of the freshmen are Hawaiʻi residents, up from 1,581 in fall 2023 and 1,577 in fall 2022
• 489 identify as Native Hawaiian, up from 382 in fall 2023 and 395 in fall 2022
• 406 identify as Filipino, up from 355 in fall 2023 and 353 in fall 2022

“I am so proud to see the increases in our Native Hawaiian and Filipino students,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Nikki Chun. “I would attribute the growth in the freshmen class to the changes we made to the merit scholarship program, which is now more focused on enrolling Hawaiʻi resident students.”

Enrollment at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� has been steadily rising over the last five years with one exception in 2022 when there 24 fewer students than in 2021, when enrollment had spiked by 6% increase.

Success despite FAFSA

The 4% increase in 2024 is even more impressive considering that it happened when the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process was mired with issues. The federal government’s update to the FAFSA form last year was released months behind schedule and experienced multiple technical difficulties that created uncertainty for students and their families as colleges scrambled to issue financial aid packages in spite of the challenges.

“I’m really proud that we were prepared for the FAFSA delays, and I am grateful for the proactive work done by the Financial Aid staff,” said Chun. “Despite the delays, we were able to disburse more money to both undergraduate and graduate students.”

����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� awarded merit based scholarships to 96% of all incoming, first year freshmen and 99% to all Hawaii residents that are first-year, first time freshmen. The ����ԴDz� Academic Merit Scholarships were awarded based on grade point average and residency:

• Hawai’i residents with a high school cumulative GPA of 3.0-3.59 will be considered for a $3,000 scholarship per year. Total $12,000 over 4 years.
• Hawai’i residents with a high school cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher will be considered for a $4,000 scholarship per year. Total $16,000 over 4 years.
• U.S. citizens, Hawai’i non-residents (including WUE-eligible students) with a high school cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher will be considered for a $2,000 scholarship per year. Total $8,000 over 4 years.

Chun said ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� disbursed $81.6 million to more than 11,400 students this year compared to $74.6 million to more than 9,900 students in 2023.

The final enrollment numbers for ����Vlog�ٷ�’s 10 campuses will be announced in October. As of September 17 (will update numbers tomorrow), headcount enrollment was up at eight of the ten ����Vlog�ٷ� campuses, with a 2.8% increase across the entire ����Vlog�ٷ� system. This follows fall 2023, when enrollment was up 1.8% systemwide.

Fall 2024 ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� student body profile

• 62% (12,439) local students (5% increase from 2023)
• 31% (6,232) out-of-state U.S. students (2% increase from 2023)
• 6% (1,245) international students (5% increase from 2023)

Beginning in August, (Hawaiʻi P–20) and GEAR UP Hawaiʻi will launch free workshops statewide to assist with high school students’ postsecondary education planning. All events are free of charge and available to all families regardless of where the student plans to attend college. Workshops will be held both virtually and in person.

Online Financial Aid Workshops will begin August 21, and will be held on Wednesdays, 6–7:30 p.m., through October 2. Attendees will learn how to access more than $150 billion in grants, loans, and other government funding in addition to how to access more than $70 million in scholarships awarded specifically to Hawaiʻi students annually.

“Whether a student plans to attend a 2-year or 4-year college, or a trade or vocational school, all are encouraged to attend our Online Financial Aid Workshops to learn about how affordable college can be, and what kind of aid is available to reduce the costs even further,” said Frank Green, financial aid and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) outreach specialist for Hawaiʻi P–20.

Federal Student Aid has announced that the opening of the FAFSA for the 2025–26 award year has been moved from October 1 to December 1. During this time, families should create their personalized FSA ID, which is the required login and the first step to complete the FAFSA, in addition to preparing any additional documentation and financial information necessary to ensure they can complete and submit the FAFSA as early as possible when it becomes available. Families should also monitor deadlines for applications, scholarships and tuition payments for any potential changes.

Hawaiʻi P–20 welcomes families to send questions about the college planning process, financial aid, or the FAFSA by emailing FAFSA@hawaii.edu, or call and leave a message with the FAFSA Hawaiʻi Hotline at (808) 842-2540.

“Education is an investment in your future and local help is available all year to guide families to make the transition after high school as smooth as possible,” Green said.

For a complete listing of upcoming college planning webinars to include virtual scholarship workshops, visit the .

March 22, 2024 update: Hawaiʻi P–20 and GEAR UP Hawaiʻi are extending the duration of the FAFSA Hawaiʻi Hotline. Beginning March 25, the hotline will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through May 31. By dialing (808) 842-2540 callers will be able to speak directly with counselors and financial aid specialists to assist with any FAFSA questions they may have.

Original story:

In response to the delayed release of the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application, and GEAR UP Hawaiʻi are expanding current outreach efforts to further assist families across the state.

A FAFSA Hawaii Hotline will be available March 18–22, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Callers will be able to speak directly with counselors and financial aid specialists to assist with any questions regarding the FAFSA process at (808) 842-2540.

Additionally, virtual FAFSA submission summary (FSS) review workshops have been scheduled for the evenings of Thursday, March 28, and Thursday, April 4. The FSS review workshops will offer families details on what they can expect in the months following their FAFSA submission, including how to review their FSS and student aid report. .

“With so many uncertainties surrounding the current FAFSA, we want people to know that we are here to help with the process,” said Gus Cobb-Adams, Hawaiʻi P–20 college application and transition specialist. “Completing the FAFSA is necessary whether you plan to attend a two-year or a four-year college, and it must be completed each year.”

It is anticipated that the FSS will be available by Federal Student Aid (FSA) and sent directly to students in March. Scholarship providers understand there is a delay in processing the FAFSA form and awarding financial aid funding. Families should confirm with scholarship providers regarding any deadlines for applications in addition to verifying any college tuition deadlines.

Hawaiʻi P–20 will continue its virtual FAFSA completion workshops on Wednesday evenings through April to allow families to ask financial aid questions, get individual assistance with creating their FSA ID or work directly with an expert to submit their FAFSA. During these sessions, attendees are placed with a representative to receive individualized feedback. Families may also email FAFSA@hawaii.edu to contact University of Hawaiʻi System financial aid officers and FAFSA experts year round.

Additional efforts to reach families statewide include Hawaiʻi P–20’s recent collaboration with the Native Hawaiian Education Association (NHEA) for the Native Hawaiian Scholarship ʻAha Series. Nearly 1,000 local families gathered to attend these in-person events across six of the neighboring Hawaiian Islands, which included our state’s most vulnerable and geographically isolated communities. The purpose of the series is to provide students an opportunity to discover scholarships that are available to Native Hawaiians in one place. During each event multiple $500 scholarships were awarded by event co-sponsors and matched by the ����Vlog�ٷ� System, in addition to FAFSA and financial aid representatives available on site to ask questions or complete their FSA ID.

For information about upcoming events for high school juniors and seniors, or to register for free upcoming FAFSA workshops or Junior JumpStart financial aid planning webinars starting in April, .

The is extending the enrollment deadline in 2024 from May 1 to June 1 as the federal government has delayed the release of financial information to colleges and universities around the country. The application deadline for new on-campus housing has also been extended to June 1.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), is used by tens of millions of college students each year to apply for federal financial aid. The information is also used by schools to award scholarships and provide assistance through other aid programs. This year, the FAFSA process is experiencing delays after a system upgrade including a new streamlined form.

����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� joins a growing number of colleges and universities around the country that are responding to the system delay by extending the enrollment deadline.

“We understand that many families are waiting to understand the full picture of what level of financial aid they will receive before making a decision on which campus they should attend,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Nikki Chun. “We are grateful that students and their ʻohana consider ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� for their education as we have such a wide range of programs and faculty who are among the top in their fields.”

The flagship campus of the 10-campus ����Vlog�ٷ� system, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� offers more than 99 different and consistently ranks among the top universities in research and academic success. A bachelor’s degree from ����Vlog�ٷ� earns a graduate an average of $2.8 million more over their lifetime compared to those without a degree, according to a 2024 report from the ����Vlog�ٷ� Economic Resource Organization (����Vlog�ٷ�ERO).

“All of the data show that higher education is a worthwhile investment, and you don’t have to leave Hawaiʻi to receive a quality education that’s also affordable,” ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno. “I hope students who are thinking about college and want to make a difference here in Hawaiʻi strongly consider ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�. We will provide the education and tools you need for a successful career and fulfilling life, as we all work to make our state a better place for generations to come.”

For more information, please visit the .

, ’s college access program, will offer free statewide virtual FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) completion workshops on Wednesday evenings through April 24. .

“This is a challenging year because the FAFSA application window opened much later than usual on December 31, rather than October 1. We have focused our efforts to ensure families in all communities have as many resources available as possible to successfully complete the FAFSA,” said Angela Jackson, GEAR UP Hawaiʻi project director. “We encourage all high school seniors to complete the FAFSA and explore what kind of scholarships and financial aid is available to help you pay for college.”

GEAR UP Hawaiʻi strives to provide all students with developmentally appropriate support to help them complete high school and pursue college.

In addition to the FAFSA workshops, GEAR UP Hawaiʻi also hosts , including financial aid and scholarship sessions, and advising for counselors.

����Vlog�ٷ� degrees affordable, significant return on investment

A college education from any of ����Vlog�ٷ�’s 10 campuses offers a significant return on investment, no matter the degree type, according to a January 2024 ����Vlog�ٷ� Economic Research Organization (����Vlog�ٷ�ERO) report. ����Vlog�ٷ�ERO researchers found that lifetime earnings are $2.8 million for bachelor’s degree holders, 27% higher compared to those who left the program without a degree, and $2.7 million for Associate of Science (AS) and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree holders, 22% higher than compared to those who left without a degree.

����Vlog�ٷ�ERO also found that while college tuition has significantly increased nationally over the last 20 years, even after adjusting for inflation, tuition within the ����Vlog�ٷ� system has become more affordable over the last decade. In addition, college completion significantly boosts economic mobility for individuals from lower socioeconomic households.

See this ����Vlog�ٷ� News story for more on the ����Vlog�ٷ�ERO report.

The state’s new (HELP) is alleviating the educational debt of 492 medical and healthcare professionals, who were notified of their acceptance into the program in late December.

Related ����Vlog�ٷ� News story: Loan repayment plan addresses Hawaiʻi’s healthcare industry shortage

HELP was developed by the Governor’s Office, the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� (JABSOM), the Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi, the State Department of Health and others to ease the shortages of physicians and other health care professionals by retaining those who already practice in Hawaiʻi and recruiting those who are in medical residency training programs on the U.S. continent.

“It is so rewarding to see this program come to fruition, as it was this type of assistance that first brought me to Hawaiʻi so many years ago,” said Gov. Josh Green. “HELP will prove to be a great start toward decreasing our longstanding and challenging shortage of healthcare professionals across the state.”

First HELP cohort

The first HELP cohort includes close to 300 primary care and behavioral health providers across the state, 90 other specialties or professions practicing in rural areas, and about 40 medical residents in training. Retaining these professionals ensures Hawaiʻi will not lose them to other states.

The average indebtedness of physician applicants is about $185,000, with 20% having more than $300,000 left to pay off.

“The COVID-19 pandemic took its toll on many, especially those in private practice,” said JABSOM Interim Dean Lee Buenconsejo-Lum. “Most have not fully recovered and face difficult decisions about staying in Hawaiʻi. This program helps us keep local doctors and other providers here despite our very high cost of living and myriad other challenges.”

In exchange for two years of full-time service in Hawaiʻi, high-demand healthcare professionals will qualify for loan repayments up to a maximum of $50,000 per year. The eligible amount varies depending on the profession, location of practice and educational indebtedness. All must provide care to, or work for organizations that have at least 30% of their patients receiving public insurance.

Building on existing foundations

HELP builds on the decade-old, federally funded Hawaiʻi State Loan Repayment Program. The HELP program reaches more healthcare professionals in one year than the prior program reached in the past 10 years. The 2023 Hawaiʻi State Legislature provided an unprecedented $30 million over two years in educational loan repayment for health professionals licensed or otherwise certified to practice in and provide care to patients in Hawaiʻi.

Marc and Lynne Benioff are providing major philanthropic support for HELP with an additional $5 million over two years, to help retain health professionals on Hawaiʻi Island. Out of the first 400 recipients, 77 from Hawaiʻi Island will receive loan repayment from the state funds. An additional 65 Hawaiʻi Island providers will receive funding from Marc and Lynne Benioff in this first round.

.

“I’ve been retired now for a couple of years, but have nothing but great memories. It was a wonderful, wonderful career,” said Grace Crittenden, an alumna of the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� (JABSOM).

After graduating from JABSOM in 1976, Crittenden traveled to Houston, Texas to complete her internal medicine residency at Baylor College of Medicine. While she had hoped to return to Hawaiʻi to practice medicine, her career took her to California instead, where she would eventually retire from medicine.

Crittenden’s path to medicine started in the early 1970s when she was in graduate school at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� studying physiology. Terence Rogers, former JABSOM dean, encouraged Crittenden to pursue a career in medicine.

“He was very encouraging, and he made that a goal,” Crittenden said of Rogers recruiting her to apply for JABSOM. “I think when he started as the dean, [the goal shifted] to provide more opportunities for women to go into medicine.”

Looking back, Crittenden felt grateful for her time at JABSOM, not only because more women were making their way into medicine. She was also grateful that she was able to pay for her medical school education.

“I loved medical school. It was a wonderful adventure. The medical school was relatively young at that point, and we were fortunate that we just paid graduate student fees,” Crittenden reflected. “It might have been out of my reach to go to medical school now.”

Contributing to alumni scholarship fund

She acknowledged that having little debt after graduating from JABSOM allowed her to focus on her work instead of on repaying loans. And although she never got a chance to practice medicine in Hawaiʻi, Crittenden does hope that current JABSOM students will get the chance—and without much debt.

One way Crittenden helps to make that possible is through contributions to the JABSOM MD Alumni Scholarship. The scholarship was created as a way for JABSOM alumni to give back to current JABSOM medical students. Criteria for applying for the MD Alumni Scholarship includes candidates who show financial need and have an intention to practice medicine in Hawaiʻi after completing their training.

The scholarship has been awarded to JABSOM students since 2009 with a total of between $10,000 –$20,000 typically awarded each year. In 2021–22, increased alumni support allowed for two students to be awarded $40,000 full-tuition scholarships. Another round of $40,000 scholarships was awarded to two more students in 2022–23, as well as smaller awards to other students.

The donations for the MD Alumni Scholarship still continue to grow, due in large part to the generosity of alumni, such as Crittenden, who encourages other alumni, young and old, to pay it forward.

“I just want to share that experience so they don’t get so burdened with so much debt,” she said. “It’s hard enough being a new doc, and having to worry about debt on top of that is just unimaginable to me. So I just think it’d be so much better if people could get out of medical school and become doctors and not have those financial worries or responsibilities.”

JABSOM’s class of 2023 reported graduating with a median medical school debt of $173,787.

.

Hawaiʻi is 50th overall in the nation when it comes to the highest student debt, according to a study of all 50 states and the District Columbia by the . The study compared 12 key metrics in student debt. Utah edged Hawaiʻi for 51st place while Pennsylvania followed by Delaware and Mississippi are the states with the highest student debt in the country.

Hawaiʻi came in 50th with student debt as percentage of income, 49th in proportion of students with debt and 43rd with average student debt.

“One of the reasons Hawaiʻi’s student debt rate is so low is that the 10 campuses of the University of Hawaiʻi provide superb affordable options for local residents,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� President David Lassner. “Our resident tuition is low, we offer need-based financial aid, and our campuses provide a fantastic range of excellent educational opportunities at every level.”

The total outstanding U.S. college-loan balances came in at nearly , at the end of the first quarter of 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Education. That’s an average of $37,000 for each of the 42.9 million borrowers.

Students who plan to attend during the fall 2023 semester may be eligible for tuition assistance through the college’s . These scholarships do not need repayment and do not require an application.

Since the inception of the Access Scholarship in fall 2021, more than $330,000 has been awarded to incoming high school students. This year, high school seniors graduating in 2023 from the list of eligible schools (below) can get up to $1,000 through the Access Scholarship, if they apply to Leeward CC by April 1, and register for at least six credits by May 1.

• ʻAiea High School
• Campbell High School
• Hawaiʻi Technology Academy–PCS
• Kamaile Academy–PCS
• Kapolei Charter School PCS
• Kapolei High School
• Leilehua High School
• Mililani High School
• Nānākuli High and Intermediate School
• Radford High School
• Pearl City High School
• Waialua High and Intermediate School
• Waiʻanae High School
• Waipahu High School

Beginning in fall 2022, an additional $27,000 has been awarded to adults returning to school. Students who were enrolled at Leeward CC from fall 2015–fall 2022 but stopped out and did not earn an undergraduate degree from any University of Hawaiʻi campus are eligible to receive up to $1000 through the Returning Adults Scholarship if they apply to Leeward CC by April 1 and register for at least 6 credits by May 1.

If a prospective student misses the initial deadline, financial aid is still available for those who register later. These awards apply to both the Access and Returning Adults Scholarships:

• $750 if registered between May 2–June 1
• $500 if registered between June 2–July 1
• $250 if registered between July 2–August 1

The award amount will be calculated during registration and paid out on the first day of instruction.

For more details about these scholarships, visit or contact the Outreach and Recruitment Office:

• Access Scholarship—(808) 455-0533 or lrecruit@hawaii.edu
• Returning Adults Scholarship—(808) 455-0376 or return@hawaii.edu

In an effort to assist low-income and first-generation students in obtaining accessible and affordable college experiences, the has provided a total of $1.8 million to support the University of Hawaiʻi, particularly students attending one of the seven ����Vlog�ٷ� Community Colleges.

The gifts will cover costs over five academic years through spring 2027, and will be used to fund a diverse set of initiatives to help students navigate the financial aid process, as well as connect to basic services and resources such as housing and food. The Stupski Foundation was among the supporters who together gave more than $1 million in early 2020 to help ����Vlog�ٷ� students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Related ����Vlog�ٷ� News story: $1M donated to critical ����Vlog�ٷ� Urgent Student Relief Fund, April 15, 2020

“We believe that college education should be affordable and accessible to all low-income and first-generation students, especially for those who struggle with basic needs such as food and housing,” said Cheri Souza of the Stupski Foundation. “We recognize this support is critical to their persistence to stay in school and graduate, and their overall health and well-being.”

“The Stupski Foundation really understands how difficult it can be for college students to have access to food and financial aid so they can stay in school and graduate,” added Tim Dolan, ����Vlog�ٷ� vice president of advancement and ����Vlog�ٷ� Foundation CEO. “We’re grateful they have made basic needs for ����Vlog�ٷ� students a priority.”

A survey conducted during the 2020–21 academic year found that two out of five ����Vlog�ٷ� students had experienced hunger in the prior 30 days. A recent study also found that more than one in three students don’t have enough to eat, a problem only made worse by recent high inflation. In addition, college students who were able to buy food with the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) under pandemic boosts will .

Two years ago, the ����Vlog�ٷ� Basic Student Needs Committee launched the Student Basic Needs website to assist students in finding the help they need, not only with buying food but also childcare, transportation, mental health services and financial aid to pay for school.

“Our students should not have to choose between food and learning,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� President David Lassner. “Satisfying students’ basic needs is essential for them to be able to complete their education and thrive.”

Stupski Foundation supported initiatives

The Stupski Foundation gifts will support the following initiatives:

• Launching the Kahuaola Basic Needs Center, ‘s one-stop center that offers a comprehensive approach to providing cross-campus support and services opened on February 13 at the Manono campus in Hilo. In addition to helping more students apply for financial aid, the program serves as a hub for the Hoʻola Ike program, which helps students to access SNAP benefits and supplemental funds for childcare, transportation and housing expenses that are often hurdles to staying in or completing college.
• The creation of the first ever systemwide to connect ����Vlog�ٷ� students to all basic needs services and resources. The initiative includes piloting a test of financial literacy programs within the Virtual Basic Needs Café, which launched at and and will roll out to the other eight campuses in 2023.
• The revision of current policies and creation of a strategic, financial aid system to remove financial barriers for ����Vlog�ٷ� Community College students. The goal is to help students complete financial aid applications, and to establish a new strategy for awarding financial aid at the seven community college campuses.
• The CARE Package Program at aims to educate and empower our students with the information and supportive services needed to increase college affordability and individual resiliency. Kauaʻi CC’s vision for system’s change is a model which integrates financial aid practices into the work of the human needs program and looks to address the true cost of college attendance on Kauaʻi while building trust in the financial aid application process for families unfamiliar with the process.

New, prospective and international students at the have updated online resources from the and the to guide them on their educational journeys.

The highlights the benefits of choosing ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�, including excellence in academics, research, athletics and cultural opportunities—both in Hawaiʻi and internationally. Freshmen and transfer students can use the viewbook to keep on track their first year with a checklist of requirements and important dates, and the viewbook features alumni and faculty voices to welcome them to an educational experience like no other.

The focuses on support and opportunities available specifically for international students, as well as requirements. Similarly to the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Viewbook, the guide features students sharing experiences to encourage international students to make the most of their ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� journey.

provides a breakdown of tuition for resident, non-resident and Western Undergraduate Exchange students, as well as financial aid, scholarship, grant and student employment information.

“These publications are designed to introduce prospective students to the distinctive educational experience that ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� offers,” said Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Nikki Chun. “I hope students and their family members use these pieces as jumping off points to learn more about everything that is available to them here at ����ԴDz�.”

The priority application deadline for the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� fall 2023 semester is January 5, and the final deadline is March 1. The priority deadline for financial aid is February 1. More information is available on the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� website and the website.

The welcomed its largest-ever freshmen class in its 115-year history in the fall 2022 semester. Overall, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� enrollment dipped by just 0.1% in the fall, compared to a 1.1% decrease nationally, according to . There are 19,074 students enrolled at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� (just 24 fewer compared to fall 2021), including a record 3,106 first-time freshmen, a 5.7% increase from the record high set last year. The average high school GPA for the freshman class is 3.69, also up from 2021.

“Our fall enrollment numbers, particularly the first-time freshmen and the quality of those students, is further proof that the people of Hawaiʻi and beyond are seeing ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� for what it truly is—one of the best universities in the country that is also incredibly affordable,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno. “The credit goes to our enrollment management team, and our outstanding faculty and staff, and the fact that we are doing a much better job of sharing our story with the world.”

There were also enrollment increases among Native Hawaiian and part-Hawaiian students (12.8% of total enrollment vs.12.2% in 2021), Filipino students (11.5% vs. 11.0% in 2021) and a 1.3% increase in the number of students from Hawaiʻi.

Record high graduation rates

For the 12th straight year, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� set a record in on-time graduation rates, with 44.1% of
first-time, full-time freshmen earning their degrees in four years. That is a 4.3% increase from 2021. The four-year graduation rate has steadily increased from 17% to 44.1% over the past 12 years. The six-year graduation rate is also at a record high of 62.3%, reflecting a 3.4% increase from last year.

“The credit really goes to so many people as these efforts to improve our graduation rates started in earnest more than 15 years ago, and we continue to build on our success each year,” said Bruno. “Our work is far from over as we ensure that our students not only graduate in a timely manner but are ready to make a difference and contribute to our state and society.”

Bruno cited a number of initiatives responsible for the improving graduation rates, including the STAR GPS system and its advising tools and graduation pathways that keep students on track, the funding of summer scholarships that help students catch up and/or complete their prerequisite courses, strengthened growth and development activities that better support students and the timely disbursement of financial aid as financial hardships are one of the main reasons students leave school before graduation.

Related: ����Vlog�ٷ� enrollment dips as graduation rates, first-time students rise, October 2022

More than $57.9 million in financial aid was disbursed to 8,857 students when the fall semester started, $3.4 million (and 156 students) more than in 2021.

“Financial aid is a significant factor in making a ����Vlog�ٷ� degree affordable for more than 46% of our students, and ensuring this aid is disbursed in a timely manner to all our students is a tremendous kuleana,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Nikki Chun. “The Financial Aid staff are among the campus’ unsung heroes, and I admire their dedication to serving our students with care.”

The largest grant program offered by the U.S. Department of Education for undergraduate students celebrates its golden anniversary on June 23. , which do not have to be repaid, have been critical in expanding access to higher education and economic opportunities for more than 97,000 University of Hawaiʻi undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s or graduate degree.

Students who demonstrate significant financial need based on the information provided on their (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) FAFSA are eligible to receive a Pell grant. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 33.6% of undergraduate students nationwide received Pell funding in 2019–20.

“Pell grants were a brilliant social program that enabled decades of students with financial need to attend public colleges and universities,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� President David Lassner. “It can continue to do the same today if our public policy makers are willing to boldly increase that investment in the future for those who most need the opportunities that higher education offers them to join a thriving and sustainable middle class. #doublepell”

Throughout the same 16 year period, Pell has been awarded to approximately 97,429 unique ����Vlog�ٷ� students. The average award per recipient has almost doubled since the 2005–06 academic year to $4,096 in the 2020–21 academic year. Last year, more than 11,880 ����Vlog�ٷ� students received $48,669,203 in Pell grants.

Transforming lives

Khanh Nguyen, a ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� computer engineering student, moved to Hawaiʻi when he was two years old. While Nguyen was born in Michigan, his family is originally from Vietnam.

“Receiving the Pell grant has made my life easier because it was able to provide financial assistance to a big chunk of my tuition, which takes a weight off my mind,” said Nguyen.

His goal is to work in Hawaiʻi’s renewable energy industry to help accomplish 100% renewable energy by 2045.

Taufa Setefano graduated from ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� in spring 2022 with a dual degree in Pacific Islands studies and English.

“As a first-generation college student, navigating higher education was a challenge. Financial aid such as the Pell grant allowed me to explore my academic goals with more financial security,” said Setefano. “I was able to commit more time to my studies due to being a recipient of the Pell grant, which is something I’m truly grateful for.”

Setefano’s academic journey continues as she pursues her graduate degree in the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� in the hopes of one day teaching Pacific Islands studies with an emphasis in Pacific Islands literature to youth.

Born in Vietnam, Amy Giang moved to Hawaiʻi when she was four years old and graduated from Moanalua High School. Now a biology major at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�, Giang is the first in her immediate family to graduate high school and attend college.

“Since I am from a low-income household, receiving the Pell grant has really eased my family’s financial worries. Though I do have some scholarships to cover most of my tuition, there were left-over fees and expenses that would not have been covered without the additional assistance. I am fortunate that I do not have to worry about student debt thus far,” said Giang.

Her career goal is to be an optometrist to encourage healthier eye habits and help others maintain their eyesight for as long as possible.

#DoublePell

There is currently a calling on Congress to restore the purchasing power of Pell grants by doubling the amount of the maximum award to $13,000. Doubling the maximum Pell grant will bolster support for students and families recovering from the economic impacts of COVID-19, making college more affordable and accessible.

For more, follow .

Free tuition for the first year and opportunities for on- and off-campus jobs are available this fall for Windward Oʻahu high school graduating seniors enrolling at .

The provides full-tuition for the first year—fall and spring semesters—at Windward CC for 2022 graduates of public and charter schools in Windward Oʻahu. The award offers tuition savings of up to $3,144, and, for many, a chance to attend college.

On- and off-campus jobs will allow students to work, earn money and gain valuable experience while pursuing their degrees. Windward CC offers jobs on campus with flexible schedules to support students during class time and exam periods, and partners with Windward area businesses that provide college-friendly workplaces.

“Hoʻolei allows our students to pursue college and the rewarding, often higher-paying careers it opens doors to, growing the students and providing for our families and communities. Our seniors are our next community leaders! Hoʻolei, through the generosity of Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, provides the possibility for college and a pathway to leadership!” said Windward CC Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg.

Graduating seniors in Hawaiʻi’s class of 2022 can apply now for the upcoming summer and fall 2022 semesters at .

Helping students persist during COVID-19

Windward CC has made a significant commitment to serving the needs of students during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing food to hungry students through the Meals with a Mission program.

Now, $400,000 of tuition support is available to high school graduates attending Windward CC over the next two years. The Hoʻolei Tuition Award was created with a grant from Harold K.L. Castle Foundation. To learn more about Windward CC’s Hoʻolei Tuition Award program, email hoolei@hawaii.edu or visit the .

Windward CC also features the Hānaiaulu Childcare Center, the only Hawaiian language-based childcare center in the ����Vlog�ٷ� system, which provides students with access to quality infant and toddler childcare.

Innovative program offerings

With stunning facilities such as Palikū Theatre, a 65,000-square-foot library, Gallery ‘Iolani, Hōkūlani Imaginarium, and some of the best art studios and science labs in the state, Windward CC is not only a great place to learn, it is a place to discover what is possible.

“They care so much about my future. From connecting me to auditions with theatre companies to helping me get scholarships. I’m just so thankful for all of these opportunities that I’ve been offered,” said Windward CC theatre student Alysia-Leila Kepaa.

Some of the unique range of programs offered at Windward CC include:

• Hawaiʻiloa, first online Hawaiian studies degree in the world, which is offered to the Hawaiʻi diaspora in a series of 8-week classes taken two at a time.
• Business Core, 8-week online classes taken two at a time fulfills Windward CC’s academic subject certificate in business and prerequisites needed to transfer into ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s Shidler College of Business.
• Liberal Arts AA online degree with entrepreneurship focus, earn an associate’s degree in a series of 8-week online courses designed to support starting your own business.
• Veterinary Technology AS degree, the first and only degree of its kind in Hawaiʻi, and Veterinary Assisting certificate, leading to jobs in the veterinary medicine field, now offered in a hybrid format.
• Agripharmatech certificate, an entrepreneurial emphasis on plant-based bioproduct research, design and manufacturing prepares students for work or higher education.
• Hawaiʻi Conservatory of Performing Arts, professional preparation in dance, acting and stage combat; students demonstrate skills in award-winning performances at Palikū Theatre and beyond.
• Kaʻohekane, one-year online certificate in Hawaiian music focuses on performance.
• Gallery ʻIolani where design, ceramics and painting students exhibit their works.
• Unique noncredit programs such as ocean recreation safety, certified nurse’s aide and leadership training, focusing on workforce development.

“We cherish all the young people in Windward Oʻahu and hope this tuition award makes it a little easier to pursue their most ambitious dreams. And we hope many will launch those dreams at Windward Community College, a dynamic learning institution in our own backyard,” said Alex Harris, vice president of programs at Harold K.L. Castle Foundation.

For information about Windward CC programs, visit .

Carpentry student Rayvan Kebekol is building towards his future at Honolulu Community College with the help of a . Hawaiʻi Promise provides free in-state tuition for qualified students with financial needs. For eligible students, Hawaiʻi Promise provides the “last dollar” to cover direct education costs—such as tuition, fees and books—that are not met by other forms of financial aid.

“The Hawaiʻi Promise Scholarship has been of great help to me over the years,” said Kebekol, who is on track to earn an associate’s degree in May. “Because of the scholarship I was able to afford books and supplies for my classes, as well as a bus pass for transportation before COVID. It has allowed me to pay for my essentials for school and thus helped me progress towards my career.”

Kebekol was one of 1,800 students from seven ����Vlog�ٷ� Community Colleges statewide who benefitted from almost $3 million in Hawaiʻi Promise scholarships disbursed for the 2020–21 academic year. The average award was $1,629, as detailed in a report to the 2022 Hawaiʻi Legislature (PDF).

More than half (59%) of the Hawaiʻi Promise scholarships were awarded to students who identified as underrepresented, including Native Hawaiians, Filipinos, Pacific Islanders, American Indian or Alaskan Native, African American or Black, and Hispanic. These underrepresented groups comprised 52% of overall ����Vlog�ٷ� Community College enrollment in 2020–21.

Less debt, more progress toward degrees

The Hawaiʻi Promise Scholarship had a measurable impact on the lives of hundreds of recipients.

• Less student loan debt: Hawaiʻi Promise awardees took out student loans for non-direct educational costs (such as rent, food and living expenses) at a lower rate than non-awardees (11% vs. 13%).
• More credits earned: In 2020–21, Hawaiʻi Promise recipients attempted and earned more credits than non-Hawaiʻi Promise awardees. More credits earned has academic and financial benefits, including reducing time to degree.
• Higher persistence and completion rates for full-time students: Among students who received scholarships as new students in fall 2018, 56% who initially enrolled full-time have graduated or continue to be enrolled, compared with 48% of those who did not receive financial assistance.
• Higher persistence and completion rates for part-time students: For part-time students, Hawaiʻi Promise scholarship recipients returned at higher rates than their peers: 60% vs. 48%. Part-time Hawaiʻi Promise scholarship recipients graduate or continue to be enrolled at higher rates than their peers, by more than 10 percentage points.

Legislative support

In 2017, the legislature appropriated $1.8 million for the creation of the Hawaiʻi Promise Program for qualified students attending a community college. Each year from 2018 to 2021, the legislature appropriated one-time increases annually for Hawaiʻi Promise. In 2018, Gov. David Ige signed Act 14, which provided $700,000 for fiscal year 2019 to provide additional financial assistance for unmet direct educational costs to qualified students enrolled at any ����Vlog�ٷ� community college campus. In 2019, Act 61 appropriated an additional $700,000 for fiscal years 2020 and 2021.

In the most recent report to the legislature, students expressed how much their Hawaiʻi Promise scholarships helped them.

“When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, classes were moved to all remote access. My utility and internet bills became much higher because we were all mandated to stay home and quarantine,” said Taira Teves-Balaan, a Kauaʻi CC student. “With the extra money the Hawaiʻi Promise Scholarship provided me, I was able to pay my bills in order to keep attending my classes via Zoom.”

Leeward CC student Relene Kaaa said, “I am a grateful recipient of the Hawaiʻi Promise Scholarship. The scholarship funds allowed me to pay for my tuition and purchase books for school. We have two children, one under the age of two, and have relied upon a single income throughout the pandemic. This scholarship directly impacted my ability to continue my education. I am interested in becoming an early childhood educator in my community of Waiʻanae. Mahalo Nui Loa!”

Read more about the Hawaiʻi Promise Scholarship on ����Vlog�ٷ� News.

A wide array of scholarships at the University of Hawaiʻi are available to help students with financial need, an issue particularly pressing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications opened on October 1, 2021, and will close on March 1, 2022, for the 2022–23 school year. Students from all 10 ����Vlog�ٷ� campuses can fill out one common application to qualify for many scholarships.

By completing the Common Scholarship Application, students can be considered for numerous scholarships, in a variety of disciplines as well as those not based on merit or financial need.

“I want to encourage every student to submit the Common Scholarship application,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� Scholarship Manager Amy Akana. “There are hundreds of scholarships available for students of all majors, campuses and grade levels, and with your one application, you will be considered for any scholarship for which you meet requirements.”

Scholarships are available for every stage of a students’ academic journey. Students are encouraged to complete their 2022–23 (FAFSA) by March 1, 2022, to be considered for the maximum number of scholarships.

Many scholarships are available on each campus, so student’s should contact their financial aid specialist for more information.

There is no official deadline to file the FAFSA, however filing by the ����Vlog�ٷ� scholarship application deadline of March 1, 2022, maximizes eligibility.

Questions? Email scholars@hawaii.edu or call (808) 956-6203.

The offers several prominent scholarship opportunities, totaling more than $1.3 million each year to incoming and transfer students to help finance their education. Administered through the , these highly sought after scholarships provide significant financial support to high-achieving freshmen and transfer students for their exemplary academic, extracurricular and community contributions.

With the new student in mind, the New Warrior Scholarships (NWS) are comprised of:

• Regents
• Provost Achievement (formerly Chancellor’s)
• ����ԴDz� Excellence
• ����ԴDz� International Excellence
• Presidential

The Office of Admissions hosted its annual Scholar-to-Scholar recognition event on April 10, 2021, welcoming nearly 100 newly awarded NWS recipients for the incoming class of 2021. Scholars were celebrated for their academic/community achievements and connected with other incoming scholars from Hawaiʻi, the continental U.S. and various countries around the world. Current scholars were also in attendance to offer knowledge, experience, guidance, encouragement and the support of one another.

“The Scholar-to-Scholar event successfully allows students to interact and build connections, set a platform for fellowship, and gain an in-depth understanding of the student lifestyle on campus,” commented Justin Lau, scholarship coordinator and ����ԴDz� Scholars Club (MSC) advisor. “We look forward to connecting with these scholars and welcoming them to the ����ԴDz� campus in the fall.”

Lilian Marie Shibata, Provost Achievement Scholar said, “I received the news that I was a scholarship recipient a little while after a family member was diagnosed with cancer. Not only did receiving this scholarship help with the financial aspect of college, but it was a bright and proud moment for my whole family to celebrate. Through this scholarship and the ����ԴDz� Scholars Club I have been given the opportunity to make the most of my college experience. I have made new friends, connections and memories that will stay with me through college and beyond.”

Helping new students succeed

MSC, a Registered Independent Organization, was founded and initiated by the Office of Admissions for recipients of the New Warrior Scholarships. “During the height of the global pandemic, our scholarship students found a way to create a community amongst one another and created the ����ԴDz� Scholars Club,” said Lau.

MSC has become a student organization for members to meet regularly to perform charitable works for the university and local community. Students collaborate as a club to plan, participate, and serve in workshops and social events to give back to the community. MSC has successfully partnered and executed many community service projects.

The New Warrior Scholarships are more than just a financial benefit for students. These scholarships provide opportunities for students to make positive impacts in society, focus on personal growth and discovery, as well as encourage students to carve their own paths towards their educational and career goals beyond their time at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�.

“Despite the absence of test scores this year as it was not a requirement, our pool of scholarships recipients demonstrated a high level of scholastic aptitude and performance. Awardees of these scholarships have extensive opportunities to become integral members of the university by serving as inspiring club leaders, successful undergraduate researchers and lifelong learners,” said Ryan Yamaguchi, interim assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management and director of admissions.

This work is an example of ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s goal of (PDF) and (PDF), two of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.