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. Amounts vary by year and are based on a student’s EFC (Expected Family Contribution), enrollment status and are determined by the U.S. Department of Education.
B. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Normally, the grant is awarded to students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and have the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Depending on the availability of funds and a student’s demonstrated need, the maximum award amout 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 to participate. Students are paid at least the minimum wage and are paid twice a month. The Financial Aid Office will determine the earnings limit for each student.
Employment opportunities exist in most campus departments. In addition, work opportunities are available at off-campus community service sites. A listing of all job openings is available online at Student Employment & Cooperative Education . For more information visit the Student Employment Office located on the first floor of the Student Services Center (SSC).
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 State Need-Based Opportunity Grant
Recipients must be bona fide residents of the State of Hawaiʻi. Students with financial need who are enrolled at least half-time will be considered.
B. State Higher Education Loan (SHEL)
The State Higher Education Loan is available to qualified bona fide Hawaiʻi residents who demonstrate financial need. Annual loan limits may vary and the interest is a fixed 5% with repayment beginning nine months after a student graduates, leaves school or drops below half-time enrollment. Loans are repaid monthly over a 10-year period. Recipients must complete a SHEL Master Promissory Note (PDF), Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification Form (PDF) and SHEL Entrance Counseling.
C. 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
These 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. Pacific Islander Scholarship
In the Fall of 2007, UH Hilo established a Pacific Islander scholarship. Students do not need to submit an application; eligible students will be automatically considered for this scholarship. The amount of the scholarship will depend on your enrollment. In order to be eligible for this scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:
- Be accepted by the UH Hilo Admissions Office with a residency status of “Pacific Islander Non-Resident Exempt”. The student's residency status is reflected on the acceptance letter issued by the Admissions Office.
- Demonstrate financial need. Financial need is demonstrated by applying for financial aid using a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
- Be a new student entering UH Hilo in Fall 2007 or later, or returning to UH Hilo in Fall 2007 or later after taking a break from enrollment at UH Hilo.
- Be a classified student enrolled in either an undergraduate, graduate or professional degree program.
- Be enrolled at least half-time.
C. Athletic Scholarships
The various team coaches in the Athletic Department determine eligibility for these funds.
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.
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 Shana Kaneshiro in the UH Hilo Financial Aid Office. Students interested in applying should complete the University of Hawaiʻi System Common Scholarship Application .
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.