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Free statewide college planning workshops offered by Hawaiʻi P–20

Hawaiʻi P–20 Partnerships for Education (Hawaiʻi P–20) is offering free workshops to assist Hawaiʻi students and their families with the planning process to further their education after high school. Upcoming workshop topics focus on how to earn scholarships to attend a two- or four-year college, as well as trade and vocational schools, and help with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for the 2026–27 school year.

Statewide Native Hawaiian Scholarship ʻAha Series

Starting October 14, Hawaiʻi P–20, Native Hawaiian Education Association and Pacific Financial Aid Association will host the first of the Statewide Native Hawaiian Scholarship ʻAha Series events. In-person events will be held on Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi and Oʻahu, and two dates will be held online. Events are open for everyone to explore scholarship opportunities from various organizations across the state.

Dinner will be provided during each in-person event and a $500 scholarship will be awarded. FAFSA and financial aid representatives will also be available to ask questions and help students and families. For a complete listing of all Statewide Native Hawaiian Scholarship ʻAha Series events or to register for a specific date near you, visit CollegeIsWithinReachHawaii.com.

Virtual Scholarship Workshops

At Hawaiʻi P–20’s Virtual Scholarship Workshops, attendees will hear from representatives from Sallie Mae, Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and the University of Hawaiʻi System about how Hawaiʻi students can access more than $70 million to help pay for college, regardless of their family income, as well as how to use scholarship search engines to apply for scholarships. Virtual Scholarship Workshops are scheduled for Thursday evenings on November 6 and November 20, from 6–7:30 p.m., and registration is available now at CollegeIsWithinReachHawaii.com.

Virtual FAFSA Completion Workshops

The FAFSA for the 2026–27 award year is now open for all students to complete to become eligible for scholarships, grants and work-study funds, in addition to loans from the federal government. Attend a Virtual FAFSA Completion Workshop to see a line-by-line overview of the online application, learn about the allowable college expenses that financial aid can help to pay for including transportation, meals, books, tuition and various fees and speak directly with local financial aid specialists. Virtual FAFSACompletion Workshops begin on November 5, and are held on Wednesday evenings from 6–7:30 p.m. until March 11. Registration is available now at CollegeIsWithinReachHawaii.com.

With questions regarding any of these events or for college planning assistance, families may contact FAFSA@hawaii.edu year round.

Free College Planning Events Available to All Students, Families Statewide

Beginning Wednesday, August 20, Hawaiʻi P-20 Partnerships for Education (Hawaiʻi P-20) will launch the first in a series of its Virtual Financial Aid Workshops to assist with Hawaiʻi high school students’ postsecondary education planning. All events are free of charge and are available to all families regardless of where the student plans to attend college.

Virtual Financial Aid Workshops will be held via Zoom on Wednesdays from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. from August 20 through October 1. Attendees will learn how to access more than $150 billion in grants, loans, and other government funding in addition to more than $70 million in scholarships awarded specifically to Hawaiʻi students annually. Registration is open now at CollegeIsWithinReachHawaii.com.

“Now is the time for high school seniors to explore the various funding sources that are available to assist in reducing the cost of their postsecondary education,” said Frank Green, Financial Aid and FAFSA Outreach Specialist for Hawaiʻi P-20. “Attending college in Hawaiʻi can be affordable. Scholarships and grants are available for two- and four-year colleges, trade and vocational schools, and can cover expenses from tuition, books, transportation, and beyond and we want to make sure all Hawaiʻi students have access to as many funds as possible.”

Federal Student Aid (FSA) has announced that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026-2027 award year will become available October 1. During this time families should create their personalized FSA ID, which is the required login and the first step to complete the FAFSA, in addition to preparing any additional documentation and financial information necessary to ensure they can complete and submit the FAFSA as early as possible.

“We encourage all students to complete the FAFSA for each school year they are seeking financial aid regardless of your family income, and local help is available to guide you through the process,” said Green. “Many scholarships and grants require FAFSA completion, so don’t leave money unclaimed and plan to complete your form when it becomes available October 1.”

Families across the state are invited to send any questions about the college planning process, financial aid, or the FAFSA by emailing FAFSA@Hawaii.edu. All emails will be answered within 24 hours by a local financial aid specialist.

For a complete listing of upcoming college planning webinars to include November Virtual Scholarship Workshops, visit CollegeIsWithinReachHawaii.com.

Academic Trends Highlighted in Class of 2024 College and Career Readiness Indicators Report

High school graduates of the Class of 2024 excelled in numerous academic areas of study and matched the Class of 2023 with the highest on-time high school graduation rate on record at 86%, as reported in the newly released College and Career Readiness Indicators (CCRI) report. Among these students, 34% graduated with honors, the highest level in the past five years.

The Class of 2024 CCRI report details the outcomes of 11,613 students among 67 public schools including public charters. The CCRI is produced annually by Hawaiʻi P–20 Partnerships for Education (Hawaiʻi P–20), in collaboration with the Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) and the University of Hawaiʻi (UH).

Class of 2024 overall college enrollment increased from 51% to 52% and the proportion of Class of 2024 graduates who attended a UH campus increased 3 percentage points from the previous year, from 31% to 34%. Of particular note, the percentage of completers who enrolled in a UH two-year campus increased from 17% to 19%, the highest percentage since 2020.

“The increase in college enrollment at the UH Community Colleges (UHCCs) highlights the growing impact of our strengthened career pathways between HIDOE high schools and our seven community college campuses,” said Della Teraoka, interim vice president for the UHCCs. “With UH two-year enrollment on the rise and four-year enrollment reaching record levels, these collaborative efforts are creating more opportunities for students to pursue higher education and succeed right here at home.”

The Class of 2024 also had the highest number of completers in the last five years to earn a score of three or better on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam to 18%, and the most completers of Dual Credit classes, which increased 3 percentage points from last year (24% to 27%). Additionally, there was a 3 percent increase from 2023 of students who entered UH after completing college-level credits through Dual Credit in high school for English and math.

“We’re seeing the results of our efforts to expand access to rigorous coursework, career pathways and college opportunities across all schools,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “These outcomes demonstrate what’s possible when we align K–12 education with students’ futures. At the same time, we recognize the ongoing challenges in academic readiness and are continuing to invest in early interventions, targeted support and aligned pathways to ensure students are prepared for success after high school.”

Of the high schools that saw improved scores, Kea‘au High School students particularly increased its AP Exam metrics from 9% to 21%, Dual Credit metrics from 10% to 22%, and its Career & Technical Education (CTE) Concentrators increased from 55% to 58%. Its Class of 2024 students who took college-level math jumped 4 percentage points (43% to 47%) and college-level English taking increased from 40% to 49%.

“Our students have made great strides in a variety of areas in a short amount of time,” said Dean Cevallos, Principal of Kea‘au High School. “With the expansion of pathways and programs of study across the state, and particularly on Hawaiʻi Island, it is exciting to see our students excel in courses that earn them college credit and continue through the pipeline and attend UH campuses.”

Graduates who earned the Seal of Biliteracy increased to 557 to 598 from the Class of 2023, and CTE honors also increased from 21% to 22%. The top three CTE programs completed by concentrators for the Class of 2024 were Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation (23%); Cultural Arts, Media and Entertainment (20%); and Health Services (17%), all of which are integral areas of Hawaii’s state economy.

“Although college-going data from the Class of 2024 demonstrates a turnaround from previous years, there are reasons for concern with academic readiness, especially in math,” said Stephen Schatz, Executive Director of Hawai’i P-20. “Math readiness is key across various industries, whether students aspire to be doctors, welders, auto mechanics, nurses, or teachers.”

Hawai‘i’s CCRI reports are continuously recognized by national organizations, including the Data Quality Campaign, Achieve, and the National Governors Association, as a leading example of collaboration between K-12 and higher education and for providing useful information on college readiness.

To view additional metrics online:

Hawai‘i P-20 Data Insights: 1st Year College-Level English and Math

Hawai‘i P-20 Partnerships for Education is pleased to announce the next webinar in our Data Insights series highlighting data to improve equitable student outcomes along the education to workforce pipeline.

First Year Completion of English and Math: Supporting College Success will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. This webinar will examine how earning credit in college-level English and Math courses by the end of a student’s first year of college impacts their trajectory towards earning an award. Disparities between sub-populations will also be highlighted throughout the presentation.

Register for the webinar here: https://hawaii.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XXLIlhkTRG2iiRGHRowEqw

For those unable to attend, this webinar will be recorded and a notification will be sent when the recording is available.

For more information, please contact Tracy Hongo via e-mail at: tlh@hawaii.edu.

Data Insights Webinar: Exploring the Healthcare Career Pathway

Hawai‘i P-20 Partnerships for Education is pleased to announce the start of the Hawai‘i P-20 Data Insights webinar series focused on highlighting data to improve equitable student outcomes along the education to workforce pipeline.

The first webinar in the series, Exploring the Healthcare Career Pathway, will be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.  This presentation will examine the current status of the Healthcare career pathway from K-12 to the University of Hawai’i and into the workforce, and where there may be opportunities to better support students through the pathway.

Webinar Agenda:

  • Data Presentation (45 min. with time for Q&A)
    Overview of the K-12, postsecondary, and workforce data related to the Healthcare career pathway that work towards the overall statewide goal of increasing underrepresented healthcare graduates earning living wages in Hawai‘i.
  • Discussion (30 min.)
    Group discussions about data shown in the presentation and how it could help to inform student support activities and/or made more useful.

Register for the Webinar here.

For more information, please contact Tracy Hongo at: tlh@hawaii.edu.

Data Available for All Hawaiʻi Graduates for Hawaiʻi’s Future Goals

We are proud to announce the compilation of data for all four goals of Hawaiʻi Graduates for Hawaiʻi’s Future.

Hawaiʻi Graduates for Hawaiʻi’s Future (HGHF) is a state goal by the Hawaiʻi P-20 Council that explicitly commits to aligning educational attainment with Hawaiʻi’s workforce and economic development needs, empowering individuals to achieve their career goals here at home.

The Hawaiʻi Graduates for Hawaiʻi’s Future Attainment Goals and Metrics Overview:

Goal 1: Universal access to high-quality learning opportunities

  • High-quality early learning programs positively impact young children, from birth to age 5, especially for low-income and otherwise disadvantaged children. Goal 1 metrics include students’ prior early learning experiences and Kindergarten Entry Assessment.

Goal 2: Universal preparation of every K-12 student throughout their education for college, career, and citizenship

  • The K-12 experience provides a strong foundation for all students to engage in career exploration and embrace lifelong learning. Goal 2 metrics report student centered data such as subject proficiency, on-time graduation, and college enrollment, as well as educators’ training.

Goal 3: Universal access to postsecondary opportunity and success

  • Living-wage jobs both now and in the future require additional education and/or training after high school graduation. Goal 3 metrics assess credentialed postsecondary graduates, postsecondary access and success, residents with postsecondary degrees, and degrees and certificates awarded to adult learners seeking upskilling or opportunities for career mobility.

Goal 4: Universal education and training of Hawaiʻi residents to fill and create living wage jobs available across the state

  • The jobs of the future in Hawaiʻi will be created and filled by today’s students with high-valued degrees and credentials, allowing for economic mobility and ensuring these positions and workers stay in Hawaiʻi. Goal 4 metrics show postsecondary graduates in high skill, high wage, and high demand fields, postsecondary graduates in the same category who are working in Hawaiʻi, and work-based learning experiences.

Hawaiʻi P-20 will continue to track and report the state’s progress over time and release new data as it becomes available.

To further explore the metrics and dashboards for each HGHF goal, please visit HawaiiGraduatesforHawaiisFuture.org, and look for an announcement coming soon regarding a new Hawaiʻi P-20 webinar series beginning this fall.