Financial Aid Awards

Federal Pell Grant – Awarded only to undergraduates who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree.  Does not have to be repaid and is awarded based on need.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) – Awarded to undergraduates with exceptional financial need and based on availability of funds.  Priority for SEOG is given to Federal Pell Grant recipients.  SEOG Does not have to be repaid.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) - Awarded to undergraduates receiving Federal Pell Grants, are U.S. citizens, and enrolled full-time in their first or second academic year of study.  Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART) - Awarded to undergraduate students receiving Federal Pell Grants, are U.S. citizens, be enrolled full-time in their third or fourth academic year of an eligible degree program majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, engineering, technology, mathematics or a critical-need foreign language, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant -  For Undergraduate and Graduate students who intend to teach full time in high need subject areas for at least four years at schools that serve students from low-income families.   Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25.

Hawaii Student Incentive Grant (HSIG) – Awarded to students who are bonafide residents of Hawai’i and based on exceptional financial need and availability.  It is currently known as the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) Program.

Manoa Opportunity Grants - Awarded to students based on financial need and availability.

Pacific Islander Scholarship - Eligible students will be automatically considered for this scholarship. 

Scholarships – Internal scholarships are awarded through Financial Aid Services and academic departments.  If funds are available and you meet the requirements, you may receive a scholarship.  External scholarships are awarded through private organizations.  Scholarships do not have to be repaid.

Federal Work Study (FWS) – Awarded to undergraduates and graduates with financial need to work and earn money on-campus in various departments, or off-campus in a private non-profit or public agency and based on availability of funds.  Students awarded Federal Work Study will be directed to the Center for Career Development and Student Employment office (http://cdse.hawaii.edu) for FWS information (also refer to FWS Award Information Letter).

Federal Perkins Loan - Awarded to undergraduate and graduate students with financial need.  This loan has a fixed interest rate of 5% and a 9 month grace period.  The grace period begins when the student has either dropped below half-time enrollment, left school, or graduated.  Payments are made to the school that awarded the loan.

Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan – A fixed interest rate loan (6.0% for undergraduates and 6.8% for graduates) beginning July 1, 2008 awarded to students who demonstrate financial need.  This loan is funded by a bank, credit union or any other organization that participates in the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP).  The federal government pays the interest on the loan until repayment begins and/or while you are in deferment.  There may be an origination and/or guarantee fee.  Please check with your lender for more information.  Please see Stafford information and loan process.

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan – A fixed interest rate loan at 6.8% beginning July 1, 2008.  Typically awarded to undergraduates and graduates who do not demonstrate financial need, but may also be used to supplement a Subsidized Stafford loan.  The federal government does not pay for the interest on this loan; you are responsible for the accrued interest from the time of disbursement until repayment in full.  However, you have the option of capitalizing your loan until repayment begins, having it accrue interest while you are in school and having that accrued interest added to the principal loan amount.  The terms for the unsubsidized Stafford loan are the same as those for the subsidized Stafford loan.  There may be an origination and/or guarantee fee.  Please check with your lender for more information.  Please see Stafford information and loan process.

Federal PLUS loan – A federal loan for parents with good credit histories of dependent, undergraduate students enrolled at least half time.  The PLUS loan has a fixed interest rate of 8.5% beginning July 1, 2006.  Parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid.  Repayments usually begin 60 days after the final loan disbursement for the academic year.  There may be an origination and/or guarantee fee.  Please check with your lender for more information.  For more information please see Parent Plus information and lender process.

PLUS Loan for Graduate/Professional Students - A federal loan for graduate and professional students with good credit histories.  Students must complete a FAFSA application, be enrolled at least half time in a graduate or professional program, be making good satisfactory academic progress, and has not exceeded their maximum cost of attendance.  Students may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid.  This loan has a fixed interest rate of 8.5% and can be consolidated with your Federal Perkins and Federal Stafford Loans.  Students must sign a Grad PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note with their lender.   There is no grace period for this loan.  For more information please see Grad Plus information and loan process.