Hawaii offers two main programs through the University of Hawaii system: the Hawaii Promise Scholarship, a need-based, last-dollar award that can cover 100% of the cost of attending a UH community college, and the Hawaii B Plus Scholarship, a need-based award for students who finish a rigorous high school curriculum with at least a 3.0 GPA. You apply for both by filing the FAFSA, and the B Plus Scholarship also uses the UH Common Scholarship Application.
If your student attends a University of Hawaii campus, these programs can sharply reduce or eliminate tuition. Here is how they work for 2026-27.
What state financial aid does Hawaii offer?
Hawaii's main programs are the need-based Hawaii Promise Scholarship for UH community colleges and the Hawaii B Plus Scholarship for the University of Hawaii system, both administered through the University of Hawaii. Hawaii Promise focuses on community college affordability, while B Plus rewards a rigorous high school record.
These work alongside federal aid like the Pell Grant. For how the federal pieces fit together, see our complete 2026-27 financial aid guide.
What is the Hawaii Promise Scholarship?
The Hawaii Promise Scholarship is a need-based, last-dollar award that covers the gap between your other aid and the full cost of attending a University of Hawaii community college, so qualified students can have 100% of their cost covered. It is open to Hawaii residents who qualify for in-state tuition and enroll in a degree-seeking program.
To receive it, you must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, take at least 6 credits per semester, and accept all other federal and state grants you are offered. You apply simply by filing the FAFSA and enrolling at a UH community college.
What is the Hawaii B Plus Scholarship?
The Hawaii B Plus Scholarship is a need-based award for Hawaii residents who enroll in the school year directly after graduating from a Hawaii public high school, earned at least a 3.0 high school GPA, completed a rigorous curriculum, and show financial need on the FAFSA. The rigorous curriculum generally includes 4 credits of English, 3 of math (with Algebra I and Geometry), 3 of science (with Biology), and 3 of college-prep coursework.
Because it combines a strong record with financial need, B Plus rewards students who prepare well in high school. You apply using the UH Common Scholarship Application. For how scholarships fit a full plan, see our guide to paying for college.
How do you apply for Hawaii state aid?
You apply by filing the FAFSA, which both programs use to determine eligibility, and by completing the UH Common Scholarship Application for the B Plus Scholarship. Enroll at a University of Hawaii campus and file early, since aid is limited.
Your step-by-step path:
- File the FAFSA for both programs and federal aid.
- For B Plus, complete the UH Common Scholarship Application and the rigorous curriculum.
- Confirm your Hawaii residency and rules at the University of Hawaii.
- Track your college's own aid deadlines.
Your next step
Hawaii Promise can cover community college costs in full, and the B Plus Scholarship helps prepared students with need, so filing the FAFSA and enrolling at a UH campus are the keys. File the FAFSA, complete the UH application for B Plus, and confirm your residency. Read our complete 2026-27 financial aid guide for the federal side, then create your free CollegeLens plan to see your real cost at each Hawaii school.
You're doing the hard, smart work of claiming every program your state offers. That is how Hawaii families make college more affordable.
-- Sravani at CollegeLens