Starting this month, Hawaiʻi P-20 Partnerships for Education (Hawaiʻi P-20) and GEAR UP Hawaiʻi are launching the first in a series of free workshops, held virtually and in person, nationwide to help high school students plan their post-secondary education. All events are free and available to all families, regardless of where the student plans to study.
The online financial aid workshops begin August 21 and run through October 2 on Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Participants will learn how to access more than $150 billion in grants, loans and other federal funding, as well as more than $70 million in scholarships awarded specifically to Hawaii students each year. Registration is now open at CollegeIsWithinReachHawaii.com.
“Whether a student plans to attend a two- or four-year college or a trade or vocational school, we encourage everyone to take our online student financial aid workshops to learn how affordable college can be and what types of assistance are available to help reduce costs even further,” said Frank Green, student financial aid and FAFSA outreach specialist for Hawaii P-20.
Federal Student Aid has announced that the opening of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025-2026 funding year has been pushed back from October 1 to December 1. During this time, families should create their personalized FSA ID, which is the required login and first step to completing the FAFSA, and also prepare any additional documentation and financial information needed to ensure they can complete and submit the FAFSA as early as possible when it is available. Families should also monitor application, scholarship and tuition deadlines for possible changes.
“Families can continue to email us with questions about the college planning process, financial aid, or the FAFSA itself at [email protected] or call and leave a message at the Hawaii FAFSA hotline,” Green said. The Hawaii FAFSA hotline is available at 808-842-2540 and all calls and emails are answered within 24 hours by a local financial aid specialist. “Education is an investment in your future and local help is available year-round to help families make the transition after high school as smooth as possible.”
For a complete list of upcoming college planning webinars, including virtual scholarship workshops, visit CollegeIsWithinReachHawaii.com.
