Financial Aid Grants

FINANCIAL AID GRANTS

Grants - financial aid that doesn't have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund). In other words, grants are considered gift aid. There are four federal grants and two state grants described below:

Federal Pell Grant (PELL)
Is the largest source of money awarded to every undergraduate who demonstrates financial need and has not earned a bachelor's degree.

Pell Grants are the foundation of federal student financial aid
Pell Grants are awarded to qualifying undergraduates
The amount of Pell Grant can change yearly, the maximum for the 2008-09 year is $4,731

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Is a supplemental grant received by the school to assist exceptionally needy students and is limited to campus based funding.

SEOG depends not only on financial need but also on the amount of other aid you are receiving
You must be Pell Grant eligible to receive a SEOG
Each participating school receives an allocation from the USDOE, the amount of SEOG Grants will vary from school to school and funds are limited

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
This program began in 2006-07 and is awarded to full-time undergraduate students. The maximum award for first academic year is $750; the maximum for a second academic year is $1300.

Must be receiving a Pell Grant during the same year
Must be a U.S. Citizen
Be a first or second year undergraduate in a degree program at a 2-year or 4-year degree granting institution
Have completed a rigorous secondary school program od study, and
If first-year, completed secondary school after Jan 1, 2006
If second-year, completed secondary school after Jan 1, 2005, and have at least a 3.0 grade point average as of the first academic year of undergraduate study.

Federal Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART)
This program is for full-time undergraduate students who are enrolled in the third and fourth academic year of undergraduate study. The award is up to $4000 for each of the third and fourth academic years.

Must be receiving a Pell Grant during the same year
Must be a U.S. Citizen
Be a full-time student in his or her third or fourth academic year of an undergraduate degree program
Be pursuing a major in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering or a critical foreign language and
Have at least a 3.0 grade point average as of the end of the second award year and continue to maintain a 3.0 g.p.a. prior to the beginning of each payment point average as of the first academic year of undergraduate study.

Hawaii Student Incentive Grant (HSIG)
This tuition grant program is for part-time undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need.

Must be Pell Grant eligibile during the same year
Must be a Hawaii resident
Be either full or part-time student in a degree granting program and be making satisfactory academic progress

Hawaii Need Grant (DNEED or DNNEED)
This tuition grant program is for full or part-time students who demonstrate financial need.

Completion of the FAFSA and satisfaction of all eligibility requirements
Resident or non-resident; undegraduate or graduate

Financial Aid Office

One Stop Center, Room 104

3-1901 Kaumuali`i Highway

Lihu`e, HI 96766-9500

E-mail: kauccfao@hawaii.edu

Phone: (808) 245-8256

Fax: (808) 245-8297