Beginning in August, Hawaiʻi P–20 Partnerships for Education (Hawaiʻi P–20) and GEAR UP Hawaiʻi will launch free workshops statewide to assist with high school students’ postsecondary education planning. All events are free of charge and available to all families regardless of where the student plans to attend college. Workshops will be held both virtually and in person.
Online Financial Aid Workshops will begin August 21, and will be held on Wednesdays, 6–7:30 p.m., through October 2. Attendees will learn how to access more than $150 billion in grants, loans, and other government funding in addition to how to access more than $70 million in scholarships awarded specifically to Hawaiʻi students annually.
“Whether a student plans to attend a 2-year or 4-year college, or a trade or vocational school, all are encouraged to attend our Online Financial Aid Workshops to learn about how affordable college can be, and what kind of aid is available to reduce the costs even further,” said Frank Green, financial aid and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) outreach specialist for Hawaiʻi P–20.
Federal Student Aid has announced that the opening of the FAFSA for the 2025–26 award year has been moved from October 1 to December 1. During this time, families should create their personalized FSA ID, which is the required login and the first step to complete the FAFSA, in addition to preparing any additional documentation and financial information necessary to ensure they can complete and submit the FAFSA as early as possible when it becomes available. Families should also monitor deadlines for applications, scholarships and tuition payments for any potential changes.
Hawaiʻi P–20 welcomes families to send questions about the college planning process, financial aid, or the FAFSA by emailing FAFSA@hawaii.edu, or call and leave a message with the FAFSA Hawaiʻi Hotline at (808) 842-2540.
“Education is an investment in your future and local help is available all year to guide families to make the transition after high school as smooth as possible,” Green said.
For a complete listing of upcoming college planning webinars to include virtual scholarship workshops, visit the College is Within Reach website.
