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State Postsecondary Education Commission Hawaii

The State Postsecondary Education Commission Hawaii does offer a separate college loan program:

State Higher Education Loan (SHEL)

for Hawaiian residents who have unmet financial need
up to $4,000 per year for the first two years and $20,000 total for a B.A.
fixed 5.0% interest rate; repayment starts 9 months after below half-time enrollment (comparable to Perkins loans)
10 year repayment schedule

Hawaii supports federal loan forgiveness programs for teaching and health and operate their own:

Hawaii Educator Loan Program (HELP)

You must be enrolled in a state-approved teacher education program at the university of Hawaii.

You must agree to teach in a subject area shortage in the Hawaii public school system.

Loans are forgiven on an equal basis of one year of a student loan for one year of service as a teacher.

Hawaii is also a member of WICHE (Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education). Students are allowed to pay reduced tuition rates at 145 schools in 15 states.

State Postsecondary Education Commission Hawaii Grants and Scholarships

The basic state grant is the:Hawaii State Need-Based Opportunity Grant

for Hawaii residents only
must be Pell grant eligible
must be enrolled at least half-time
award is based on unmet financial need up to the cost of tuition

A need and merit based scholarship is the:State of Hawaii B Plus Scholarship

high school GPA of 3.0+ (defined curriculum requirements for 2012 graduates adds additional math credits and a senior project)
must graduate from a public high school in Hawaii after 2005

For native Hawaiians:The Second Century Scholarship Program

financial need required
must be enrolled at least half-time
proof of Hawaiian ancestry required

Check out which Hawaii college grants and scholarships you may be eligible for. If you need more college funding after maxing out your federal student loans, the form at the top, right of this page allows you to compare private lenders. In addition, check out credit unions for a private loan lender that meets your needs. You may also be interested in information about federal Perkins Loans.

This state higher education organization mainly functions as an agency that regulates Hawaii's university system and administers state grants to students.

State Postsecondary Education Commission Hawaii
Office of the Board of Regents
Room 209
2444 Dole Street
Honolulu, HI 96822-2302
Phone: (808) 956-8213
Fax: (808) 956-5158