HB2255 Summary

• Expands the Hawaii Promise Program to include qualified undergraduate students enrolled at four-year University of Hawaii campuses, not just community colleges.

• Four-year campus students must maintain 12 or more credits per semester and meet other eligibility requirements including Hawaii residency, completion of Free Application for Federal Student Aid, satisfactory academic progress, and demonstrated unmet direct costs.

• Scholarships are awarded based on available funds and greatest need basis, calculated as the student's unmet direct cost needs minus Pell grants and other scholarships.

• Establishes a Hawaii Promise Program subaccount within the University of Hawaii general fund and requires annual reporting to the legislature on the number of scholarships provided.

• Appropriates general revenues for fiscal year 2020-2021 to fund the program expansion, effective July 1, 2050.