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Graduate Student Handbook

Appendix IV: Financial Information

Graduate students apply for financial aid in the same way undergraduate students do, by filing the FAFSA . The UH Hilo financial aid code is 001611. Graduate students may be eligible for a number of types of financial aid, including tuition waivers, grants and loans. The priority deadline for submission of financial aid forms is February 1, 2022 for the 2022 academic year. Students must have been accepted before financial aid will be awarded; a completed financial aid application must be on file with the Financial Aid office for awards to be made. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Financial Aid Eligibility

To maintain financial aid eligibility, students must fulfill satisfactory academic progress requirements. View Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. In general, satisfactory academic progress is defined as:

  1. Maintaining a 3.0 GPA at the end of the academic year.
  2. Attaining a 75% completion rate towards the educational objective for hours attempted at UH Hilo. The completion rate is calculated by dividing hours earned by hours attempted.
  3. Courses with grades of F, W, I, NC and repeated courses count as hours attempted.
  4. Hours declared in academic bankruptcy count as hours attempted.
  5. Please check with the Financial Aid Office to know the maximum number of credits you may take in your program and be eligible for financial aid.

Satisfactory Progress Appeal Process

A student who is placed on Financial Aid Suspension may appeal the denial of financial aid. The appeal must be made by submitting a signed written letter to the Director of Financial Aid no later than 10 days after receipt of the notice of Financial Aid Suspension. The appeal will be directed to the Appeals Committee whose decision will be final. The decision will be based on demonstration of one of the following situations:

  1. Error of fact;
  2. Mitigating circumstances. Circumstances considered may include illness or injury, family difficulties, interpersonal and college adjustment problems.

If the appeal is granted, financial aid will be continued for a probationary period. The student will be advised in writing of the action of the appeal.

Graduate Assistantships and Employment

A limited number of Graduate Assistantship positions may be available in some graduate programs. Interested students are instructed to submit all application documents by the priority deadline, and follow instructions to apply for the GA position. Please consult the Program Director of your program for more information.

Students applying for Graduate Assistantship positions do not need to file the FAFSA unless they want to apply for additional federal financial aid support.