HI HB869

Expands the Hawaii Community College Promise Program to make scholarships available to all qualified students, not just those selected on a greatest-need basis.

Defines qualified students as those with Hawaii residency, enrolled in at least six credits per semester in a classified degree or certificate program, maintaining satisfactory academic progress, and having unmet direct costs after other aid is applied.

Changes scholarship awards from discretionary (based on available funds) to mandatory, with awards equal to each student's unmet direct cost need calculated using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or other suitable instruments for certificate programs.

Appropriates $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 to fund the expansion.

Takes effect July 1, 2025.