Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is required for all financial aid.
Financial Aid Forms
For security purposes, all documents should be submitted by mail, in-person, or via UH FileDrop. Documents sent from a personal email address (anything other than @hawaii.edu) or by fax will not be accepted.
All required forms must be accurately completed and submitted on time. Reporting false information is a violation of the law and may be considered a criminal offense. Students (and others, if applicable) are responsible for reading and understanding all information prior to signing.
To be eligible for financial aid, students must demonstrate they have the ability to benefit from a college education, which is defined as having graduated from high school or its equivalent. If we are unable to verify your ability to benefit, you will be required to complete the Ability to Benefit form so that we can determine your eligibility for financial aid.
The Appeal for Dependency Override is available for students who do not meet the regular criteria for independent status to appeal if they have special circumstances that make it unreasonable for them to have contact with their parents for the completion of the FAFSA. Processing time is 4 to 6 weeks, and appeals will not be accepted later than 30 days before the last day of instruction.
The Authorization to Release Information form allows students to create a 5 digit password, which will be used to verify their identity over the phone or in-person if a valid photo identification is not able to be provided. Students can also use the form to authorize individuals or agencies to have access to their financial aid information, and parents can authorize disclosure of their FAFSA data (financial) to the students by completing the parental information section. Authorized individuals or agencies must be able to provide the 5 digit password for access to information.
Students requesting completion of financial need analysis forms for scholarships must list the scholarship agency on the Authorization to Release Information form and have a completed FAFSA file (submit the FAFSA and complete any additional requirements). Without a completed FAFSA file, financial need cannot be determined, however an estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) budget can be provided upon student request. Processing time is 4 to 6 weeks, so be sure to plan accordingly.
2022-2023 Authorization to Release Information (online form)
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) asks students about their grade level and the type of degree they are pursuing. Some students mistakenly answer that they have already obtained a bachelor’s degree, or that they are pursuing a graduate or professional degree. This form may be required to verify that the information provided on the FAFSA is correct so that the student can be correctly packaged for financial aid.
The Federal Direct Student Loan Request allows students to request Federal Direct Student Loans. In addition to the request form, students must also submit a FAFSA and complete verification (if required), complete Student Loan Entrance Counseling, and complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). Students should calculate expenses carefully and only borrow what is needed to cover the costs of education. For more information about student loans, visit our Student Loans web page, or contact the Financial Aid Office. Processing time is 4 to 6 weeks, and requests will not be accepted later than 30 days before the last day of instruction.
The Federal Direct PLUS Loan Request allows biological or adoptive parents (and stepparents) of dependent students to request a Federal Direct PLUS Loan, which can make up the difference between the student’s Cost of Attendance (COA) budget and all other financial aid. In addition to the request form, the student must have a completed FAFSA on file, the parent must apply for a Parent PLUS Loan, and the parent must complete a PLUS MPN for Parents of Dependent Undergraduate Students. Processing time is 4 to 6 weeks, and requests will not be accepted later than 30 days before the last day of instruction.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Department of Education (USDOE) has enacted the “Fresh Start” initiative, which is intended to alleviate negative effects for borrowers who have defaulted on their federal student loans. As a result, until one year after the pandemic loan repayment pause (3/13/2020 - 12/31/2022), students who are ineligible for student aid solely because of defaulted federal student loans may submit the Fresh Start Acknowledgment form, at which time the Financial Aid Office (FAO) may be able to waive the student aid default requirements and package the student for financial aid. More information about the Fresh Start initiative is available on the USDOE Fresh Start web page.
Students who indicate they were in a legal guardianship on the FAFSA must provide a copy of the court’s decision that shows that they were in a court-ordered legal guardianship at the time of FAFSA completion, or at the time they reached the age of adulthood in their state. If you answered the FAFSA question incorrectly, you must correct your FAFSA and resubmit.
Hawai’i Community College has an agreement with Oregon State University (OSU) to allow certain courses taken at OSU to count toward a student’s enrollment level for financial aid funding. Additional requirements apply - see the form for details.
Oregon State University (OSU) Request for Funding for Consortium Classes (PDF form)
FAFSA data partially consists of income information from two calendar years prior to the start of the school year, and partially on snapshot data at the time of submission. If your FAFSA data no longer accurately reflects your current financial situation or family size, you may submit a Petition for Special Circumstances. Processing time is 4 to 6 weeks, and petitions will not be accepted later than 30 days before the last day of instruction.
If a student has had previous student loans discharged due to a total and permanent disability (TPD), that student is not eligible to accept new student loans, unless their physician certifies that they are able to attend school and engage in substantial gainful activity (employment). Additionally, the student must acknowledge that future loans cannot be discharged based on present conditions, unless those conditions deteriorate to the extent that the TPD definition is met. The Physician's Certification and Borrower’s Acknowledgement of Obligation form allows students to either indicate that they do not wish to accept new student loans, or to obtain a physician’s certification and acknowledge their repayment obligations so that they can accept new student loans.
Physician’s Certification and Borrower’s Acknowledgement of Obligation (PDF form)
A student’s maximum total financial aid is limited to the student’s Cost of Attendance budget. The Request for Cost of Attendance (COA) Adjustments form allows students to request an increase to their COA for certain costs not already included in the budget, such as childcare expenses or unusually high medical costs not covered by insurance. Processing time is 4 to 6 weeks, and requests will not be accepted later than 30 days before the last day of instruction.
2022-2023 Request for Cost of Attendance Adjustments (PDF form)
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is required for all financial aid. Students who have been placed on financial aid suspension because they are not meeting minimum requirements have the option to submit a SAP appeal if they had extenuating circumstances that caused them to fall below standards. For an appeal to be approved, students should address all relevant semesters, provide documentation (no pictures), and demonstrate that the circumstances leading to financial aid suspension have been resolved. Appeal approval is at the discretion of the Financial Aid Office and is not subject to further review. Processing time is 4 to 6 weeks, and appeals will not be accepted later than 30 days before the last day of instruction.
2022-2023 Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal (online form)
Students who have attended and received financial aid at multiple institutions within the last four award years may be selected for review by the US Department of Education. These students must complete and submit the Unusual Enrollment History form so that the Financial Aid Office can determine their eligibility for federal student aid.