Hawaii Financial Aid

State grants, eligibility, deadlines, and strategies for Hawaii students

FAFSA deadline: March 1 (UH priority deadline)

Hawaii's state financial aid programs are administered through the University of Hawaii system. The B Plus Scholarship rewards students with strong GPAs, and the Hawaii State Incentive Grant provides need-based aid. The state's aid programs are relatively modest, reflecting the smaller scale of the state's higher education system.

Hawaii grant programs

Hawaii B Plus Scholarship

Merit-based

Covers tuition at any University of Hawaii campus

Eligibility

  • Hawaii resident
  • Graduate from a Hawaii public high school with a 3.0+ GPA
  • Enroll at a University of Hawaii campus
  • Maintain a 3.0+ GPA in college to renew

Deadline: No separate application required — awarded through UH admissions

Official info →

Tips for maximising Hawaii aid

1

The B Plus Scholarship is a strong incentive to attend a UH campus — maintaining a 3.0 GPA in high school can effectively make UH tuition-free.

2

Hawaii's cost of living is among the highest in the nation — factor in housing and food costs even if tuition is covered by scholarships.

3

The University of Hawaii system has campuses across the islands — consider starting at a community college campus for even lower costs before transferring to UH Manoa.

Educational guide only. State aid programs, amounts, and deadlines change annually. Always verify current information directly with University of Hawaii System and your college's financial aid office before making decisions.

Put this into action

Find colleges in Hawaii that fit your budget, or learn more about the FAFSA process.

KidToCollege is free to use and editorially independent. Data sourced from public records including IPEDS, Common Data Sets, College Board and FAFSA.gov. Always verify deadlines and requirements directly with institutions. Not a guarantee of admission or financial aid.