Find answers to our most common questions regarding financial aid here. For all other questions, please contact our Financial Aid Office.
Application Process
To apply for financial aid, you need to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is highly recommended that you apply online since it is fast, simple and safe. Please check with the Financial Aid Office if you have specific concerns about applying.
The FAFSA application is available on October 1st of every year. To get the most favorable financial aid package, complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.
HonCC has priority dates of March 1st for Fall semester and October 1st for Spring semester. We encourage students to meet these dates, but you may still apply after the priority deadlines. However, be prepared to pay for tuition and other needed educational expenses until you are awarded financial aid.
The FAFSA needs to be completed once every school year. Applications are available beginning October 1st of each year for the coming school year. Since information may change from one year to the next, you need to complete a financial aid application every year.
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By federal definition, you are considered independent if you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- You are 24 years of age or older
- You are working on a degree beyond a Bachelor’s degree
- You are married by the date you file your FAFSA
- You are a ward of the court, in foster care, in legal guardianship as determined by a court, or both parents are deceased – if you have been legally adopted, this criteria does NOT apply to you
- You have children and/or legal dependents who will receive more than half of their support from you for the academic year you are applying for aid
- You are on active duty or a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. National Guard or Reserves enlistees not activated for duty are NOT considered in this criteria
If you do not meet any of the definitions above, you are considered dependent and must provide your parents’ information on your FAFSA.
SAR stands for Student Aid Report. It gives you basic information about your eligibility for federal student aid as well as lists your answers to the questions on your FAFSA. If there are any errors, you must correct your FAFSA. Please remember to sign your application anytime a correction is made.
EFC stands for Expected Family Contribution. This represents the amount of funds you and your family can contribute to your college expenses. The Federal Government calculates your EFC based on the information provided on your FAFSA.
You can check your financial aid status on your MyUH Services and/or UH email account. The most updated information about your financial aid; such as student requirements, active messages from financial aid counselors, and financial aid award details will be posted there.
Be sure to check both MyUH Services and UH email throughout the school year for any updates or changes to your financial aid status.
Verification is a process where the Financial Aid Office must verify the accuracy of the information that you submitted on your FAFSA. If you are selected for verification, you will be notified on your SAR (Student Aid Report) and you will receive an email notification from the Financial Aid Office. Documents required for verification may include a verification worksheet, a copy of your IRS Tax transcripts, proof of U.S. Citizenship, Social Security Number and/or Selective Service registration. Please contact the Financial Aid Office if you have been selected for verification.
You have several options:
- Go to www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript
- Visit your local IRS office. The Honolulu IRS office is at 300 Ala Moana Blvd. To schedule an appointment, call 844-545-5640.
- Call 1-800-829-1040
Get in Touch
Financial Aid Office
Building 5, 1st Floor
Phone: (808) 845-9116
Fax: (808) 356-0942
Hours: M–F, 8:00 am–4:30 pm
Virtual appointments: STAR Balance
Financial Aid Awards
It generally takes about 8-12 weeks, from the time all student requirements are submitted, to process a student’s financial aid application. It is important to check MyUH Services regularly for updates.
Cost of Attendance – Expected Family Contribution & Resources = Financial Need
Your need is calculated by taking your cost of attendance and subtracting the expected family contribution and any outside resources.
Your award is determined by the amount of your cost of attendance, expected family contribution, financial need, and the availability of federal, state, and private funds administered by HonCC.
Most grants, scholarships and tuition waivers do not need to be repaid if you are attending and progressing in your classes. However, student loans always need to be repaid.
Disbursement
Your financial aid will be used to pay for HonCC tuition, student activities fees, and publication fees. The school will then send you a check for any funds remaining. We encourage students to sign-up for e-refund so your money can be directly deposited into your bank account.
If your enrollment level is not at the same level your financial aid award was based upon, the disbursement of your financial aid could be delayed. Some aid may require additional steps before monies are disbursed. Please check your UH accounts to see if you have completed all student requirements.
If you have already paid for tuition and fees, you will receive a refund check for the amount of financial aid you are eligible for.
When your financial aid is successfully processed, the Cashier’s Office will apply your financial aid towards your student account according to the dates required by Federal Regulations.
Grants and waivers will be credited to your student account no earlier than 10 days prior to the start of the semester based on your enrollment level at that time.
For first-time and first-year student loan borrowers, loans will be disbursed 30 days after the first day of school as required by Federal Regulations.
For federal work study, once you are placed in a position and begin working, you will receive your work study monies in the form of a paycheck for the hours worked.
If you have been awarded financial aid by the payment deadline and have not declined all financial aid given to you, your classes will be held and you do not have to pay.
If you are not awarded financial aid by the payment deadline, and are registered for classes, you will need to pay for your classes or sign-up for the payment plan through MyUH Services.
Please note, filling out the FAFSA is not enough to hold your classes.
A paper check will be mailed to you at the address on file in your student records.
If you sign up for e-Refund, your refund will be electronically deposited into your bank account.
E-Refund is a simple and secure way to receive your financial aid refund. This allows a student to have their refund deposited directly into their bank account and not have to wait for a refund check in the mail. View detailed information on how to sign up for eRefund.
Your financial aid will first pay for HonCC tuition and fees. If your financial aid is greater than your HonCC tuition and fees, the remaining funds may be used for any school related expenses including books, supplies, food, transportation, and housing.
You can track and manage your federal student loans on the NSLDS Student Access Website.
Eligibility
If you are seeking financial aid funding for a course at another UH community college campus, you will need to complete the Concurrent Enrollment Form (PDF). To be eligible, you must be enrolled for a minimum of at least one credit here at HonCC, the courses at the other campus must go towards the degree that you are seeking, and the course must have not been attempted at HonCC previously.
Per federal regulations, our office must apply a federal formula to determine if funds need to be repaid. In addition, your withdrawal may place you in jeopardy of receiving financial aid in future semesters based on our Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (PDF).
Depending on your last date of attendance in that class, you may need to repay some financial aid. If you attended class all semester, you may not need to repay the financial aid. However, the failed class may place you in jeopardy of receiving financial aid in future semesters based on the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (PDF).
Per federal regulations, all students receiving financial aid must be making satisfactory academic progress in order to remain eligible for financial aid. View the complete Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (PDF) Below is a brief overview:
- Have a declared major at HonCC.
- Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.
- Complete at least 67% of all credits attempted.
Student’s academic progress is assessed at the beginning of every academic year. If you are not meeting the requirements for financial aid, you may appeal the decision by completing a Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (PDF). In this case, the financial aid administrator will need to review your information and determine whether or not you can be considered for financial aid based on federal regulations.
Please note the appeal process can be lengthy and is not guaranteed. Be prepared to pay for tuition and other needed educational supplies until your appeal is completely reviewed.
