HB 2165 Summary

• 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 eligible for maximum 8 semesters if they are Hawaii residents, submit FAFSA, enroll in degree/certificate programs with 6+ credits per semester, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and have unmet direct costs.

• Four-year university students eligible for maximum 8 semesters if they meet the same requirements as community college students except must enroll in 15+ credits per semester.

• Creates the Hawaii Promise Program Special Fund to be administered by the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, with University required to report annually to legislature on number of scholarships awarded and tuition waiver recommendations.

• Appropriates unspecified amounts from general revenues for fiscal year 2018-2019 to establish the program and provide scholarships, with separate appropriations for four-year campuses and community college campuses.