Financial Aid FAQs

Application Process

How do I apply for financial aid?

To apply for financial aid, you need to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Paper applications are accepted and available. However, it is highly recommended that you apply online since it is fast, simple and safe. Please check with the Financial Aid Office if you have specific concerns about applying online.

When should I apply for financial aid?

To get the most favorable financial aid package complete a FAFSA as soon as possible. Honolulu Community College has priority dates of April 1st for Fall semester and October 1st for Spring semester.

How often do I need to complete a FAFSA? Why?

The FAFSA needs to be completed once every school year. Applications are available beginning January 1st of each year for the coming school year. Since information may change from one year to the next, you need to complete a financial aid application every year.

What is Honolulu Community College's Federal School Code?

001612

How will I know my financial aid status?

You can check you financial aid status on your MyUH account under the financial aid section. If necessary, the financial aid office will contact you through your UH email account requesting specific documents needed to complete the financial aid process. Once your eligibility has been determined, you will be notified through your UH email account. Please read the email carefully for instructions regarding accepting/declining your award.

Can I be considered an independent student?

By federal definition, you are considered independent if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• You are 24 years of age or older
• You are working on a degree beyond a Bachelor's degree
• You are married by the date you file your FAFSA
• You are a ward of the court, in foster care, in legal guardianship as determined by a court, or both parents are deceased - if you have been legally adopted, this criteria does NOT apply to you
• You have children and/or legal dependents who will receive more than half of their support from you for the academic year you are applying for aid
• You are on active duty or a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. National Guard or Reserves enlistees not activated for duty are NOT considered in this criteria

If you do not meet any of the definitions above, you are considered dependent and must provide your parents' information on your FAFSA.

Financial Aid Award Information

Do I have to pay back the financial aid that I receive?

Student loans always need to be repaid. Most grants, scholarships and tuition waivers do not need to be repaid if you are attending and progressing in your classes.

How do I accept my awards?

Detailed instructions will be sent to your UH email account once you have been awarded financial aid. Please review all the information regarding your financial aid before accepting or declining your award. For more details about your financial aid award, please review the What You Should Know [PDF] document.

How do I get my money?

Your financial aid will be disbursed or applied electronically to your student account no earlier than 10 days before the beginning of each semester. After your Honolulu Community College tuition and fees have been paid, any excess financial aid will be refunded to you via paper check or eRefund.

Please note for first-time, first-year student loan borrowers, Federal Regulations require that the loan be disbursed 30 days after the first day of school.

How do I get my Financial Aid refund? What is eRefund?

In general, financial aid refunds are processed within 14 days after the funds are disbursed. A paper check will be mailed to you at the address on file in your student records.

ERefund is a simple and secure way to receive your financial aid refund. Instead of a receiving a paper check, your refund will be electronically deposited into your bank account. You can sign up for eRefund through your MyUH account. We recommend this method for refunds.

What happens if I withdraw from my classes?

Per federal regulations, our office must apply a federal formula to determine if funds need to be repaid. In addition, your withdrawal may place you in jeopardy of receiving financial aid in future semesters based on our Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy [PDF].

Do I need to pay for my classes if I am receiving financial aid?

If you have been awarded financial aid by the payment deadline and have not declined all financial aid given to you, your classes will be held and you do not have to pay. Be aware filling out the FAFSA is not enough to hold your classes.

Please note if you are not awarded financial aid by the payment deadline, and are registered for classes, you will need to pay for your classes or start a tuition payment plan through your UH portal. If not, your classes may be dropped.