HI HB1594

Establishes the Hawaii Promise Program to provide scholarships covering unmet direct costs for qualified students at any University of Hawaii campus, including community colleges.

Community college students must maintain at least 6 credits per semester and earn 12 credits annually; four-year campus students must maintain at least 15 credits per semester and earn 30 credits annually, with both groups limited to 8 semesters of eligibility.

Scholarship eligibility requires Hawaii residency, completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, enrollment in a classified degree or certificate program, satisfactory academic progress, and documented unmet direct costs.

Creates the Hawaii Promise Program Special Fund with appropriations for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019; requires University of Hawaii to submit annual reports to the legislature on scholarship numbers and tuition waiver recommendations.

Effective date is July 1, 2050 (note: unusually distant implementation date).