What kind of financial aid is available?
Financial aid is available from different sources. You may be eligible to receive financial aid from the Federal Government, the state where you live or the institution you are attending. Below is a summary of information about the different kinds of financial aid that is available.
Please be aware that most Federal, State and Institutional aid require at least half-time enrollment at UH Hilo.
On this page:
Federal Programs
A. Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is usually awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree. The maximum amounts are determined by the U.S. Department of Education.
Federal Pell Grant is awarded based on a student's Student Aid Index (SAI) and Enrollment Intensity. A student's scheduled Pell Grant award is multiplied by the student's enrollment intensity percentage to determine the Annual Pell Grant Award.
B. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. The grant is awarded to students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and display exceptional financial need. Depending on the availability of funds and a student’s demonstrated need, the maximum aid offer is $2,000 per academic year.
C. Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)
The Federal Work-Study Program is used to provide part-time employment to students with financial need. Recipients must be enrolled at least half-time (CPOS eligible) to participate. The Financial Aid Office will determine the earnings limit for each student.
Students who are offered Federal Work-Study (FWS) are not guaranteed a FWS position and must apply and go through the interview and hiring process. Employment opportunities exist in most campus departments and at off-campus community service sites. A listing of all job openings is available online at Student Employment & Cooperative Education . For more information, please visit the Student Employment Office located on the first floor of the Student Services Center (SSC).
Students who are hired into a FWS position will earn these funds in the form of wages (at least the federal minimum wage per hour). Work schedules are determined by the employer and are planned around the student's class schedule. Students are paid twice a month in the form of a paycheck. With that in mind, work-study funds are usually not available to pay for up-front expenses like tuition, fees or on-campus food and housing costs.
D. Federal Loan Programs
Direct Subsidized Loans
Direct Subsidized Loans are available to undergraduate students with financial need. The Financial Aid Office will determine the amount you can borrow, and that amount may not exceed your financial need. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on a Direct Subsidized Loan while you’re in school at least half-time, for the first six months after you leave school (referred to as a grace period) and during periods of deferment (postponement of loan payments). Repayment begins six months after a student graduates, leaves school or drops below half-time enrollment.
Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to undergraduate and graduate or professional students and there is no requirement to demonstrate financial need. The Financial Aid Office will determine the amount you can borrow based on your cost of attendance and other financial aid you receive. You are responsible for paying the interest on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan during all periods. If you choose not to pay the interest while you are in school and during grace periods and deferment or forbearance periods, your interest will accrue (accumulate) and be capitalized (that is, your interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan). Repayment begins six months after a student graduates, leaves school or drops below half-time enrollment.
Direct PLUS Loans
Direct PLUS Loans are federal loans that graduate or professional degree students and parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay any education expenses not covered by other financial aid. Applications for these loans are subject to credit approval. The maximum loan amount is the student’s cost of attendance (determined by the school) minus any other financial aid received.
Interest Rates for Federal Loans
Interest rates for Federal loans may vary from year to year. View current rates.
Annual and Aggregate Limits for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
| Year | Dependent Students (except students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS loans) | Independent Students (and dependent undergraduate students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS loans) |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year Undergraduate Annual Loan Limits | $5,500 – No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans | $9,500 – No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans |
| Second-Year Undergraduate Annual Loan Limits | $6,500 – No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans | $10,500 – No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans |
| Third-Year and Beyond Undergraduate Annual Loan Limits | $7,500 – No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans | $12,500 – No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans |
| Graduate and Professional Degree Students Annual Loan Limits | Not Applicable – All graduate and professional degree students are considered independent | $20,500 (Unsubsidized Loan) |
| Aggregate Loan Limits for Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans | $31,000 – No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. | $57,500 for independent undergraduate students (and dependent students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS loans) – No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. $138,500 for graduate or professional degree students. This limit includes federal loans received for undergraduate study. |
State Programs
A. Hawaiʻi B Plus State Scholarship Program
The Hawaiʻi B Plus State Scholarship is available to graduating seniors from a public Hawaiʻi high school who have at least a 3.0 high school grade point average, have completed a rigorous high school curriculum, demonstrate financial need and are a bona fide Hawaiʻi resident. Students must also be enrolled full-time to be eligible.
Institutional Programs
A. Merit-Based Achievement Scholarships
Merit-Based Achievement Scholarships are available to Resident and Non-Resident students who merit assistance because of their achievement and/or service to UH Hilo. The scholarship may cover up to the cost of UH Hilo tuition.
B. Need-Based Opportunity Grant
Need-Based Opportunity Grants are available to bona fide Hawaii Residents, Non-Residents, and WUE students (special/non-resident exemptions do not qualify). Students must demonstrate financial need and enroll at least half-time to be considered.
C. Pacific Islander Scholarship
Pacific Islander Scholarships are available to students with a residency status of "Pacific Islander Non-Resident Exempt". This scholarship is available to classified students enrolled in either an undergraduate, graduate or professional degree program. Students must demonstrate financial need and enroll at least half-time to be considered.
D. Western Undergraduate Exchange Program
The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), a program of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Through WUE, students who are residents of one of the western states may enroll at a reduced tuition of 150% of the institution’s regular resident tuition. These western states are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming or Washington State. View more information about the WUE program at UH Hilo.
E. Athletic Scholarships
The various team coaches in the Athletic Department determine eligibility for these funds.
Scholarship Opportunities
A. Institutional Scholarships
Students are able to apply for both University of Hawaiʻi System scholarships as well as UH Hilo scholarships on the University of Hawaiʻi System Common Scholarship Application . The application contains questions that are required for all students, regardless of which UH campus you will be attending. To be considered for the greatest number of scholarships, applicants should also complete UH Hilo’s campus specific page.
To view a list of available scholarships or to search by a specific scholarship, view the UH Foundation’s scholarship database.
B. My Journey Scholarship
At UH Hilo where your journey is our focus, we strive to ensure that your experiences are memorable, both in and outside of the classroom. This scholarship gives you the chance to share your journey with us and is open to all new, incoming students. For more information about this scholarship, please visit the My Journey Scholarship page.
C. Chancellor’s Scholarships
The Chancellor’s Scholarship is a prestigious award created for exceptional graduates from Hawaiʻi high schools. The award covers four years of undergraduate tuition. For more information about this scholarship please visit the Chancellor's Scholarship page.
D. Regents and Presidential Scholarships (RAPS)
The UH Board of Regents established the Regents and Presidential Scholarships to support Hawaiʻi students with a record of outstanding academic achievement. For more information about these scholarships, please visit the University of Hawaiʻi Regents and Presidential Scholarships page or contact
E. External Scholarships
Several external organizations have scholarships available to UH Hilo students with a brief description of scholarship and/or basic eligibility requirements. Detailed information and applications are available on the scholarship list.
F. Scholarship Search Engines
G. Additional Resources
Other Financial Assistance
A. Veterans Assistance
All programs available to veterans and/or dependents of veterans are administered through the Office of the Registrar. If you are eligible for assistance through these programs, please contact their office. If you have any additional questions regarding your eligibility, those should be directed to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) or you may refer to the VA Benefits website . Receipt of certain types of VA benefits may affect your financial aid eligibility.
B. Outside Scholarships
If you are receiving an outside scholarship, you are required to notify the Financial Aid Office. Scholarships will first be used to reduce any unmet need and/or any need-based work/loans in the financial aid offer. If necessary, grant aid may also need to be adjusted.
C. Private Student Loans
Private education loans are non-federal loans available from private lenders for students whose cost of attendance has not been met with other financial aid. Before considering and applying for private education loans, students should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and utilize all available grants, scholarships, and federal student loan options. UH Hilo Financial Aid Office will not process a Private/Alternative loan certification request until a FAFSA is completed. If you choose not to complete a FAFSA, you must notify the office that you will not pursue Federal Financial Aid.
We encourage students and families to explore specific loan terms and compare before applying for any loan. Look at interest rates, fees, repayment terms, creditworthiness requirements, satisfactory academic progress requirements, etc. You may use the ELM Select comparison tool to assist in comparing various lender options.
Child Care Funding
A. Child Care Subsidies
The Child Care Subsidy program (formerly known as Child Care Connection Hawaii or CCCH) helps low-income families to sustain their employment, educational efforts and job training by paying a subsidy for their children who are in the care of DHS-approved child care providers. Unless child care is required for protective purposes, families must meet income and activity requirements to qualify for this subsidy program.
For more information, eligibility requirements and how to apply for Child Care Subsidies, visit https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/ccch-subsidies/
B. Preschool Open Doors (POD)
The Preschool Open Doors (POD) program is a separate subsidy program with funds that provides services state-wide to families sending their children to a licensed preschool during the two (2) school years prior to kindergarten entry. The goal of POD is to promote school readiness for children, and the program focuses on meeting the needs of the child. Parents are not required to have an eligible activity, unlike the Child Care Subsidy program, but they must meet income and other eligibility requirements. For POD, there is an initial application period established and published each year with the possibility of additional application periods dependent on the availability of funding.
For more information about POD, call 808.791.2130 on Oahu, or toll free from the neighbor islands at 800.746.5620 or visit https://www.patchhawaii.org/programs/preschool-open-doors/
C. Keiki O K Aina
The Hawai'i Early Learning Partnership (HELP) for Child Care Tuition Assistance Program is focused on serving Native Hawaiian, Native American Indian, and Alaska Native families who are working or attending school or in job training.
For more information, eligibility requirements and how to apply for the Hawai'i Early Learning Partnership (HELP) for Child Care Tuition Assistance Program, visit https://www.koka.org/help-for-childcare/