HI HB542

Expands the Hawaii Promise Program from community colleges only to include all University of Hawaii campuses, including UH Manoa, UH Hilo, and UH-West Oahu

Undergraduate students at four-year campuses must be enrolled in at least 12 credits per semester to qualify, while community college students need only 6 credits

Eligible students must qualify for Hawaii resident tuition, complete FAFSA annually, accept all non-repayable aid, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and demonstrate unmet direct cost needs

Scholarships cover up to the student's unmet direct cost needs (tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation) after Pell grants and other scholarships are applied

In 2021-2022, 5,590 students at UH's three four-year campuses had a combined unmet need of $14,112,400, averaging $2,524.58 per student

Appropriates unspecified general fund amounts for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027