There are various types of Financial Aid that can help you pay for your college expenses. We encourage you to discuss these options with one of our Financial Aid advisors. Get in touch with us at the Financial Aid Office. We look forward to assisting you with your financial needs!
How We Can Help
Even though Honolulu Community College (HonCC) is recognized as an exceptional value, paying for tuition and fees can still be difficult for some. Not to worry, our Financial Aid staff is here to help. You’ll find helpful information in the video above. If you have any questions or need assistance applying for financial aid, please contact our office.
Please note that when a student enters college at any age, due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), most information can only be disclosed to the student.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Are you eligible?
Before you begin, you must determine if you are eligible. Financial aid programs are regulated by federal, state, and institutional policies. Most financial aid guidelines specify the following basic eligibility requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
- Have earned either a high school diploma, GED certificate, or equivalent
- Have Honolulu Community College as your home campus
- Be a classified student in an eligible associate or certificate degree program.
- To check if a program is eligible, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
- Meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (PDF)
- Not be in default on a Federal educational loan or owe a refund on a Federal grant
- Submit all required documents needed to process your financial aid application
To apply for federal student aid, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Completing the FAFSA is simple and fast, and best of all, it’s FREE! It will also provide you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college. Your FAFSA information will also be used to determine eligibility for available state and school aid. Please note that the FAFSA must be completed every year in order to receive financial aid for each school year.
Application Process
- First, visit the FAFSA website to create an account.
- You and your parent, if applicable, must have a FSA ID (account) to complete the FAFSA.
- The FSA ID is used to sign the application electronically. If you are unable to enter your or your parent’s FSA ID, you must print out the signature page and mail it with the required signatures.
- Make sure to read the instructions carefully.
- Add our Federal School Code: 001612
Your FAFSA information will be sent to HonCC and our office will use the information to determine the financial aid you may be eligible for. All communications regarding your financial aid, including requests for additional information, will be sent via email. Student requirements can also be found on MyUH. When your financial aid award has been finalized, an email notification will be sent to your UH email.
Priority Dates
We encourage students to complete the FAFSA as early as they can in order to get the most favorable financial aid award. The FAFSA is available starting October 1 of every year for the following school year. To optimize your financial aid awards, please complete your FAFSA by the following dates:
- Fall Semester: March 1st
- Spring Semester: October 1st
You may still apply for the FAFSA after these dates, but be prepared to pay for tuition and other expenses until you are awarded financial aid. Note: The HonCC Federal School code is 001612.
Other Things To Consider
While the HonCC Financial Aid Office attempts to offer students as much financial aid as possible, a student may still not receive the financial assistance they need. Furthermore, some students may have a specific event and/or situation that may cause their FAFSA not to accurately reflect their status. In those situations, a student has the following options:
Request for Special Circumstance
This is a request for a further review of your FAFSA as it relates to your more current situation. Changes in circumstance such as termination of employment, serious illness of a family member, and/or change in marital status of parents are just a few examples of why a student would request a special circumstance. While there are no guarantees that an additional review will impact your eligibility, we encourage students to request a review if they feel it is justified. To complete a Special Circumstance form, please go to the Forms page.
Request for Cost of Attendance Adjustment
A cost of attendance is created for every student who is awarded financial aid. In addition to tuition and student fees, the cost of attendance includes an estimated cost of books/supplies, food, housing, transportation, and personal expenses. If you have costs that are not included or beyond the costs of attendance calculated, you may
complete a Request for Cost of Attendance Adjustment form located on the Forms page.
Request for Federal Student Loans
Federal student loans are based on your student status. While there are limitations to the amount you can borrow, you may request funds to cover costs that you may incur while attending school. You must complete Loan Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note before any funds are disbursed to you. View Forms page for the Federal Student Loan Request form.
Questions?
For questions regarding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the financial aid application process, you may refer to these resources for help:
What to Expect
Once your application has been reviewed and your eligibility has been determined, you will be notified through your UH email account advising you to view your financial aid status on your MyUH portal. Please read the email and any financial aid offer carefully. A financial aid offer is based on the following:
- Amount of need as determined by FAFSA;
- Amount eligible for;
- Availability of federal, state, and private funds; and
- Full-time enrollment status at our campus (unless otherwise noted).
Submit Your Financial Documents
If you need to submit documents, you may use UH File Drop (View Instructions) or fax our office at (808) 356-0942.