The U.S. Department of Education coordinates and sponsors several different financial aid programs which assist students to attend institutions of higher education. Eligibility for federal student financial aid programs is based on financial need rather than on academic achievement. To have your financial need determined, a student must complete and file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). HawCC students may be required to complete and submit additional documents or forms. Please read the HawCC financial aid application instructions carefully. Please click on the Financial Aid Application Tab on the Financial Aid home page for the year in which you want to receive aid.

General Eligibility Requirements

Some general eligibility requirements for federal student financial aid program funds at HawCC are listed below:

• Student must have a high school diploma, GED, or receive satisfactory scores on all three parts of the Compass exam. To meet this requirement, the exam must be taken using the federal Ability to Benefit (ATB) testing criteria. Please tell the examiner that you are taking the test as the ATB test.
• Student must have a valid Social Security number.
• Student must be making satisfactory academic progress as defined in the HawCC Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for financial aid.
• Students must Sign certifying statements on the FAFSA such as using federal financial aid funds only for educational expenses.
• Men ages 18 through 25 are required to register with the Selective Service System. You may give Selective Service permission to register you by checking a box of the FAFSA or you can register on-line at http://www.sss.gov/ . If you were required to register, and failed to register prior to age 25, please contact the Financial Aid Office as you may be ineligible for federal financial aid. Males born prior to 1960 are exempt from the requirement to register with Selective Service.
• A student generally is not eligible for federal student aid funds if he/she are in default on a Federal Student Loan, has not made repayment arrangements, or has failed the repayment arrangements on an FSA grant over-payment.

  NOTE: The above list is not comprehensive and other regulations or policies may
  effect eligibility.

What Kind Of Federal Financial Aid Is Available?

Major Federal Student Financial Aid Programs Include:

Grants: Funds awarded to students based on their financial need. Also called, “gift aid”. These awards generally do not need to be repaid. However, a student may have to repay all or part of these funds if the student changes his/her enrollment level or withdraws after receiving these funds. Examples of grants available include the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).

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Loans: Money borrowed from the federal government that must be repaid once the student stops attending school or drops below half-time enrollment. These funds must be repaid regardless of whether or not the student actually graduates. Federal Stafford (subsidized and unsubsidized) and PLUS Loans are available at HawCC.

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Work-Study: Students employed in certain on-campus jobs while they are enrolled in school can earn Work-Study funds. Work-Study is awarded based on financial need and students who obtain Work-Study funding can earn up to the amount indicated on their award letter.

Work-Study Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

1. Student must be enrolled for at least 6 credits throughout the semester.
2. Student must be making satisfactory academic progress.
3. Student must be a “classified” student (have declared major in a eligible program and be working toward a certificate or degree).

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• Financial Aid awards usually consist of a combination of Grants, Loans, and/or Work-Study. Students are not required to accept all of the aid awarded. For example, a student may decline all or part of a loan award and still receive any grants awarded. Please keep in mind that there is no guarantee that you will, in fact, receive financial aid. A determination is based upon income information about you and/or your parents or spouse. Also, other regulations or policies may affect your eligibility.

Other Forms of Aid (not federal financial aid)

Besides federal financial aid, there are many sources of funding available to students interested in pursuing higher education. Based on your interests, skills, grades, ethnicity, background, and many other factors, aid may be available for you. Use the following links, agencies, offices, and departments:

Scholarship Information:

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