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 Academy Counselors
FAFSA - The Free Application for Federal Student Aid
FAFSA: What It Is & Why You Should Apply
FAFSA: What It Is & Why You Should Apply
The FAFSA determines eligibility for financial aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study, and federal loans.
Who should apply?
All high school seniors planning to attend a 4-year college, community college, or trade/technical school—even those unsure about college—should apply, as unexpected aid may be available.
Why apply early?
Many grants and work-study funds are first-come, first-served, and some schools have limited funding. To maximize aid, submit the FAFSA as soon as it opens (typically October).
FAFSA for the 2026-27 school year is expected to be available October 1, 2025.
FAFSA UPDATES:
Real-time identity verification
As of August 4, 2025, all users who create a StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID) with a Social Security number (SSN) will have their accounts verified immediately, instead of the current one-to-three-day waiting period. This will allow for the immediate transfer of tax information from the IRS.
This feature will only be available to users (Students and Parents) who have a Social Security number.
Prepare To Fill Out the FAFSA® Form
Prepare To Fill Out the 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
Hawaii-P20-Financial-Aid-Flyer_05.22.25-1.pdfHawaii-P20-Scholarship-Wrkshp-Flyer-05.07.25.pdfClass-of-2025-FAFSA-Completion-Webinar-Flyer-05.03.25.pdf
Need Help completing the FAFSA?
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
Scholarships
Scholarships
Your counselor can help with local, state, and national scholarships. Check college financial aid offices and start early—applications may require essays and recommendations. Meet with your counselor regularly and review the list below.
Kauai High School Scholarship Listing - Bookmark and check often!
When applying for scholarships, follow all instructions carefully and submit them as directed. See your counselor for questions or assistance.
The application opens December 8, Letters of Recommendation Due March 13, & Application Closes February 26th
The application opens December 8, Letters of Recommendation Due March 13, & Application Closes February 26th
To qualify, students must be residents of Hawaii, Demonstrate Financial Need, complete the FAFSA, and have a minimum GPA of 2.0
Get a head start. Make your account & prepare your statements.
What inspired you to select your field of study and academic plan? (300 words)
Coming soon.
CGI-019-25-2026-2027-Scholarship-Flyer_FINAL.pdfBelow is information on the UH Common Scholarship Application.
Opens October 1, 2025 & Closes March 2, 2026. Announcement will be made when the application opens
https://www.hawaii.edu/tuition/scholarships/how-to-apply/
Wait to submit until your 7th Semester transcript is available in January. There is no advantage to submitting early. They review all applications after the deadline.
Prepare to submit your application by answering their 3 questions:
Coming soon
The Hawai‘i Promise Scholarship is Hawai‘iʻs community college scholarship program. It covers tuition, books and other education costs to help Hawai‘i residents pay for college and start fulfilling careers.
The Hawai‘i Promise Scholarship covers the gap between other financial aid you receive and the amount you still need to pay for community college. The result: qualified students will have 100% of your cost to attend covered. You do not need to repay the scholarship and it helps you avoid taking out student loans.
The Hawai'i Promise scholarship helps any Hawai‘i resident who wants to go to community college afford it. This makes college accessible to more people who want to start meaningful careers in Hawai‘i.
Student Scholarships Newsletter
Student Scholarships Newsletter
LIST AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH. CLICK TO VIEW AND APPLY
LIST AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH. CLICK TO VIEW AND APPLY
Going Merry
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 Scholarships
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
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
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 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.
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