Grants and Scholarships
Need-based and/or merit-based gift aid that does not need to be repaid!
Federal Pell Grant:
- A federal grant for students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree.
- Students must have financial needs based on the information provided on the FAFSA.
- Beginning Fall 2012, students are limited to 12 full-time semesters (or 600%) of Pell Grant eligibility during their lifetime. Students may track their Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Used (PLEU).
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG):
- A federal grant for students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree.
- Students must have exceptional financial needs based on the information provided on the FAFSA.
- Generally, students must be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.
- Requires a minimum enrollment of half-time status (6 credits).
- Funding is limited.
Opportunity Grant:
- An institutional grant.
- Students must have financial needs based on the information provided on the FAFSA.
- Requires a minimum enrollment of half-time status (6 credits).
- Funding is limited.
Second Century Scholarship:
- An institutional grant for Native Hawaiian students.
- Students must be Hawai‘i residents.
- Students must have financial needs based on the information provided on the FAFSA.
- Requires a minimum enrollment of half-time status (6 credits).
- Funding is limited.
Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver:
- An institutional grant for Native Hawaiian students.
- Students must be Hawai‘i residents.
- Students must have financial needs based on the information provided on the FAFSA.
- Requires a minimum enrollment of half-time status (6 credits).
- Funding is limited.
Hawaii B Plus Scholarship:
- A scholarship for recent public Hawaii high school graduates pursuing their first degree.
- Students must be Hawai‘i residents.
- Students must have financial needs based on the information provided on the FAFSA.
- Requires a minimum enrollment of full-time status (12 credits).
- Funding is limited.
- To apply, students must submit an official high school transcript that reflects a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and completion of a rigorous high school curriculum.
Hawaii Promise Scholarship:
The Hawaii Promise Scholarship is a ‘last dollar’ scholarship for qualified University of Hawaii Community
College students who need financial help to pay for college.
For eligible students, the Hawaii Promise Scholarship provides assistance to help cover direct costs – including tuition, fees, books and supplies (that are not met by other forms of financial aid).
Eligibility Requirements:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Be a State of Hawaii resident or qualify for exempt status that pays in-state tuition.
- Be enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester at a UH Community College and at least 1 credit at the home institution
- Be degree-seeking in a financial aid eligible program.
- Must accept all federal and state grants, scholarships, and any other funding sources that do not require repayment
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Must not possess a bachelor’s degree.
Awards are contingent upon funding, and amounts are based on enrollment level, financial need, and other financial resources.
The amount of the scholarship may be reduced or cancelled due to enrollment changes and/or receipt of scholarships or outside resources (e.g. VA benefits).
Educational Loans
Loan Information – What Do I Need to Know Before I Borrow?
Federal Student Loans
The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program provides students Subsidized and Unsubsidized and Parent PLUS loans from the Department of Education. Awards are determined by using the information provided on the FAFSA and your Cost of Attendance. The amount of your awards also depends on your Dependency Status and Grade Level.
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- Direct SUBSIDIZED loans are offered to students who demonstrate financial need. Interest is paid by the federal government while the student is enrolled at least half-time status (6 credits or more) and up to 6 months after graduation.
- Direct UNSUBSIDIZED loans are typically offered to students who do not demonstrate financial need. The student is responsible for interest during all periods, from the time the loan is disbursed. If the student does not pay the interest while they are in school and during grace periods, deferment periods, or forbearance periods, the interest will accrue (accumulate) and be capitalized (added to the principal amount of the loan).
Interest Rates
Student loans are subject to interest rates which may be variable/fixed. View current interest rates.
Loan Fees
Student loans are subject to a loan fee of approximately 1% of your loan, which will be automatically deducted from each loan disbursement.
Disbursement
All student loans require two separate disbursements, one at the beginning of the loan period and the second at the midpoint of the loan period. In addition, first-year, first-time borrowers are required to complete 30 days of their first semester before receiving their first loan disbursement.
Repayment
Repayment begins six months (grace period) after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time, graduate, completely withdraw, transfer, or stop attending classes.
Annual Loan Limits
| DEPENDENCY STATUS & GRADE LEVEL | ANNUAL BASE (SUBSIDIZED & UNSUBSIDIZED) | ADDITIONAL UNSUBSIDIZED | ANNUAL MAXIMUM COMBINED LIMIT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dependent Freshman | $3,500 | $2,000 | $5,500 |
| Dependent Sophomore | $4,500 | $2,000 | $6,500 |
| Independent Freshman | $3,500 | $6,000 | $9,500 |
| Independent Sophomore | $4,500 | $6,000 | $10,500 |
Aggregate Loan Limits
| AGGREGATE (LIFETIME) LIMITS FOR SUBSIDIZED AND UNSUBSIDIZED LOANS | SUBSIDIZED | TOTAL (SUBSIDIZED & UNSUBSIDIZED) |
|---|---|---|
| Dependent Undergraduates | $23,000 | $31,000 |
| Independent undergraduates & dependent students whose parents are Ineligible for the PLUS Loan | $23,000 | $57,500 |
Before you decide to borrow and how much to borrow, consider how much financing you will need to cover your educational cost.
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Student A: Full time student – 12 credits each semester |
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|---|---|
| Financial aid offered | Pell Grant: $7,395 Loan: $5,500 |
| Direct costs to attend college full time | Tuition: $3,144 Fees: $79 Books/Supplies: $1,350 Total educational cost: $4,573/year |
| Off-campus living costs | Student plans to live at home with parents and has some savings, so decides there will be no additional living expenses that need to be covered (housing, food, or transportation and personal expenses). |
Since the Pell Grant is more than enough to cover the direct costs, Student A decides they do not need a loan at this time.
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Student B: Full time student – 12 credits each semester |
|
|---|---|
| Financial aid offered | Pell Grant: $7,395 Loan: $10,500 |
| Direct costs to attend college full time | Tuition: $3,144 Fees: $79 Books/Supplies: $1,350 Total educational cost: $4,573/year |
| Off-campus living costs | Student lives off-campus with roommate. Rent/utilities: $1000/month Groceries: $400/month Transportation: $150/month Personal Expenses: $100/month Total living cost per month: $1,650 Total living cost (9 months): $14,850 |
| Part-time work | Earns $1,000/month Total: $9,000 for 9 months |
| Total cost to attend full-time | Total educational cost: $4,573 Total living cost: $14,850 Total: $19,423 Pell Grant: ($7,395) Student Income: ($9,000) Student needs approximately $3,527 to cover remaining cost |
Student considers options such as decreasing expenses, increasing work hours and applying for scholarships. If options don’t work out, student may borrow up to $10,500 to cover the difference.
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Student A: Half time student – 6 credits each semester |
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|---|---|
| Financial aid offered | Pell Grant: $3,698 Loan: $5,500 |
| Direct costs to attend college full time | Tuition: $1,572 Fees: $79 Books/Supplies: $1,350 Total educational cost: $3,001/year |
| Off-campus living costs | Student plans to live at home with parents and has some savings, so decides there will be no additional living expenses that need to be covered (housing, food, or transportation and personal expenses). |
Since the Pell Grant is more than enough to cover the direct costs, Student A decides they do not need a loan at this time.
|
Student B: Half time student – 6 credits each semester |
|
|---|---|
| Financial aid offered | Pell Grant: $3,698 Loan: $10,500 |
| Direct costs to attend college full time | Tuition: $1,572 Fees: $79 Books/Supplies: $1,350 Total educational cost: $3,001/year |
| Off-campus living costs | Student lives off-campus with roommate. Rent/utilities: $1000/month Groceries: $400/month Transportation: $150/month Personal Expenses: $100/month Total living cost per month: $1,650 Total living cost (9 months): $14,850 |
| Part-time work | Earns $1,000/month Total: $9,000 for 9 months |
| Total cost to attend full-time | Total educational cost: $3,001 Total living cost: $14,850 Total: $17,851 Pell Grant: ($3,698) Student Income: ($9,000) Student needs approximately $5,153 to cover remaining cost |
Student considers options such as decreasing expenses, increasing work hours and applying for scholarships. If options don’t work out, student may borrow up to $10,500 to cover the difference.
How Much Have I Borrowed?
If you are a previous borrower, to review your outstanding balance and preview what your monthly payments might be:
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- Go to Federal Student Aid
- Log in with your FSA ID and password
- Under your name on the top right corner, click on “My Aid”
Apply for a Federal Direct Student Loan
If you are interested in borrowing a Federal Direct Student Loan, you must complete the following steps online:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form
- Complete the 2024-25 Student Loan Request Form (for Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and/or Summer 2025)
- Complete the Loan Entrance Counseling
- Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN)
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- Please note: the Loan Entrance Counseling and MPN may not be required if you have previously borrowed student loans at Leeward Community College.
For additional information about the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, please visit the Federal Student Aid website.
Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is available to the parent(s) of classified dependent students who are enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) to help pay the cost of their educational expenses. PLUS loans can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. These loans are typically awarded to students who do not demonstrate financial need or may be used to supplement a Federal Direct Stafford loan. Parents are expected to begin making payments after the loan is fully disbursed, unless a deferment is requested.
Eligibility
- The parent (biological, adoptive, or in some cases, stepparent) of a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time
- The parent must not have an adverse credit history; and
- Students must meet all general eligibility requirements for federal student aid.
Interest Rate
The interest rate on Federal Direct PLUS Loans is variable/fixed rates. Each year the index rate is determined as the “high yield of the 10-year Treasury note” auctioned at the final auction held prior to the June 1 preceding the July 1 of the year for which the rate will be effective, + 4.60% capped at 10.50%. Once calculated it will be fixed for the life of that loan. View current interest rate for PLUS loan.
Loan Fees
There is a loan fee on all Direct Parent PLUS Loans. The loan fee is a percentage of the loan amount and is proportionately deducted from each loan disbursement. The percentage varies depending on when the loan is first disbursed. View current loan fee for PLUS loan. The fee goes to the government to help reduce the cost of the loans.
Repayment
If the parent requests a deferment, they will not need to make payments while the student is enrolled at least half-time and for an additional six months after the student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time enrollment. The parent will also have the option of requesting a deferment as part of the PLUS loan application process or by contacting their loan servicer. If the parent does not request a deferment, they will be expected to begin making payments after the loan is fully disbursed (paid out).
Annual PLUS Loan Eligibility
Eligibility is based on the following equation:
- Cost of Attendance (COA) – Financial Aid Resources = PLUS loan eligibility
For more information, visit our Cost of Attendance.
Apply for a Federal PLUS Loan
If your parent is interested in borrowing a Federal Direct PLUS Loan you and your parent must complete the following steps online:
- The student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form
- The parent must complete a Federal Direct PLUS Loan Application
- The parent must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN)
For more information on PLUS loans, visit the Federal Student Aid website.
Alternative Loan
Alternative or private loans are another option to consider for financing education. Alternative loans are designed to help students with educational expenses that exceed other financial aid such as grants, scholarships, work-study, and federal loans. FAFSA is not required. Alternative loans are credit-based; therefore, a co-signer may be needed. These loans are made by private organizations such as banks and credit unions and have terms and conditions that are set by the lender. For more information regarding alternative student loans, you may contact your bank or lender of your choice directly.
Employment
Financial aid is earned through part-time student employment at a job on, or near campus.
Federal Work Study:
- Funds for students who have financial needs are based on the information provided on the FAFSA.
- Students must indicate interest in Federal Work Study on their FAFSA.
- Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
- Requires a minimum enrollment of half-time status (6 credits).
- May be used for employment at Leeward CC only.
- Funding is limited.
- To be placed on our Federal Work Study Waitlist, students should email our office and provide the following information: Name, UH ID# or username, status of employment, and contact phone number.
- View Federal Work-Study job openings online.
Contact Information
Contact the Financial Aid Office
Please use your UH email account when communicating with us via email. Please also include your student ID # in your message. If you do not have a UH email account, “Get a UH Username!” to create an account. Our response time for emailed questions may take an estimated 3–5 business days during peak times.
Hours:
Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Address:
96-045 Ala Ike, AD 201 (Student Services Welcome Center)
Pearl City, HI 96782
Phone: (808) 455-0606
Fax: (808) 454-8804
Email: lccfao@hawaii.edu
Federal School Code: 004549
Get more information about other scholarships, including the UH Common Scholarship Application, and External (non-UH System) Scholarships.