Hawaiʻi P-20 > financial aid

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.