HI HB487

Establishes the Aloha Grant Program, a state-funded college grant program for eligible high school students, to be developed and administered by the Department of Education.

Provides individual grants of $2,000 to $5,000 per recipient, renewable annually for up to four years, with funds applied only to tuition costs.

Requires eligibility including: Hawaii state residency, high school diploma from a public school or Hawaii Association of Independent Schools accredited institution, acceptance to a two- or four-year approved public or private college/community college in Hawaii, and less than 50% of annual tuition covered by other grants or scholarships.

Prioritizes students demonstrating financial need and maintaining a minimum 3.0 grade point average.

Appropriates funds from general revenues for fiscal years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 for program development and administration, effective July 1, 2015.