Hawaiʻi P-20 offers free online financial aid workshops

Beginning this month, Hawaiʻi P-20 Partnerships for Education (Hawaiʻi P-20) and GEAR UP Hawaiʻi will launch the first in a series of its free workshops, held virtually and in-person, 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.

Online Financial Aid Workshops will begin August 21 and will be held on Wednesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. through Oct. 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. Registration is open now at CollegeIsWithinReachHawaii.com. 

“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 FAFSA Outreach Specialist for Hawaiʻi P-20.

Federal Student Aid has announced that the opening of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025-2026 award year has been moved from Oct. 1 to Dec. 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.

“We welcome families to continue to send any questions about the college planning process, financial aid, or the FAFSA itself by emailing FAFSA@Hawaii.edu, or call and leave a message with the FAFSA Hawaiʻi Hotline,” said Green. The FAFSA Hawaiʻi Hotline can be contacted at 808-842-2540 and all calls and emails will be returned within 24 hours by a local financial aid specialist. “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.”

For a complete listing of upcoming college planning webinars to include Virtual Scholarship Workshops, visit CollegeIsWithinReachHawaii.com.