KHS Financial Aid Website
Aloha Kaua‘i High School Students and Families,
This page provides essential information on financial aid options to help support your child's education journey. We encourage you to explore these resources and reach out with any questions.
Mahalo,
Kaua‘i High School Counselors
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
What is the FAFSA, and Who Should Apply?
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a form that determines a student’s eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study, and federal student loans.
Who should apply?
All high school seniors planning to attend a 4-year college or university, 2-year community college, or trade/technical school should complete the FAFSA. Even students unsure about attending college should apply, as they may qualify for aid they didn’t expect.
Why apply early?
Many forms of financial aid—especially grants and work-study funds—are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and some states and schools have limited funding. To maximize aid opportunities, students should submit the FAFSA as soon as it opens (typically in October, but starting in 2024, it may be later).
Prepare To Fill Out the 2025–26 FAFSA® Form
Before you start your FAFSA form, here are some ways you can get ready:
Create a StudentAid.gov account (if you don’t already have one).
Learn about the documents you may need to fill out the FAFSA form.
Determine your dependency status and whether your parent(s) or spouse will be required to contribute information on your FAFSA form.
If you’re a dependent student, use the Who’s My FAFSA Parent? wizard to identify which parent(s) will be a required contributor on your form.
Contact your counselor or the Financial Aid Office at Kauai Community College (808) 245-8360
Need Help completing the FAFSA?
Reach out to our friends over at Kauai Community College. They have a team of financial aid experts available to help any Kaua'i Senior with the FAFSA no matter where they plan to go. Click the image on the left or call (808) 245-8360
Virtual Statewide Financial Aid Workshops for students and families are back! Check out the website for a list of current workshops.
Hawaii_P20_FASFA_Email_Message_Flyer_05.21.24.pdfScholarships
Your counselor can help with local, state, and national opportunities. Colleges offer scholarships—check their financial aid office. Start early, as applications often require essays and recommendations. Meet with your counselor regularly and review the list below.
Kauai High School Scholarship Listing - Bookmark and check often!
A COMMON APP. FOR LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Application closes: Friday, February 28, 2025, at 4pm HST
Letters of Recommendation Deadline: Friday, March 14, 2024, at 4 pm HST
See your counselor if you have questions
Below is information on the UH Common Scholarship Application. Use this guide as a checklist to ensure you are ready to complete the application. https://www.hawaii.edu/tuition/scholarships/how-to-apply/
2526 Scholarship presentation.pptxScholarships_2526 - Flyer.pdfStudent Scholarships Newsletter
LIST AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH. CLICK TO VIEW AND APPLY
Going Merry
MULTIPLE SCHOLARSHIPS ONE APPLICATION
To find and apply for scholarships, sign up for Going Merry -- it’s free! Going Merry has thousands of national, regional, and local scholarships. There are also opportunities for every grade level, from freshmen to seniors.
To sign up, click here: Sign up for Going Merry!
Monthly list of Upcoming Scholarships:
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange) offers reduced tuition at designated four-year schools for students in participating states. Tuition for WUE students is typically in-state tuition plus 50%, significantly lower than non-resident rates. No financial need is required for WUE status. Eligibility varies by institution, but applying early and maintaining a high GPA is crucial for KHS students.
Popular WUE schools include Oregon State University, University of Northern CO, UNLV, Washington State, Northern Arizona University, California State Chico, Weber State, etc. Explore each college's application process and policies on the WUE site [insert hyperlink].
For detailed information, check the WUE Handout PDF as well as the WUE website
Student Loans
After you complete the FAFSA, college financial aid offices will likely offer you a variety of different student loans as part of your Student Aid Report.
All loans are NOT created equal! You will need to talk to a counselor and/or read online to determine which loans you may want to accept and which ones you should reject. In general, subsidized loans are better because the interest doesn't accrue while you are still in college.
Parents may also choose to get a private loan through their bank. Look around for the best deals so you can minimize student loan debt
Federal Work-Study Program
Federal work-study jobs provide part-time work for students while they are enrolled in school. If this is included in a financial package, work-study allows your child to work on-campus jobs around a flexible schedule. Unlike a part-time job, your child is not required to report their work-study earnings on the FAFSA, and therefore will not impact the following year’s financial aid.
