Hawai’i P-20 hosts virtual and in-person college planning events for high school students: Big Island Now

Hawai’i P-20 Partnerships for Education and GEAR UP Hawaii have scheduled additional college planning events to support local high school students and guide them through the scholarship application process.

The virtual scholarship workshops are available nationwide and will include panelists from Sallie Mae, the Hawai’i Community Foundation, and the University of Hawai’i System who will discuss how Hawaii students can access funds to pay for college regardless of of their family income as well as advice. for scholarship applications and essays.

The virtual workshops will take place from 18:00 to 19:30 on Thursday 7 November and Thursday 21 November.

The Native Hawaiian Scholarship ʻAha Series will bring representatives from various Native Hawaiian scholarship organizations to the University of Hawai’i at Hilo from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, December 5. Participants will have a chance to win a $500 scholarship.

“There are many scholarship opportunities available to students from local and national organizations, and we want to make sure families are informed about how to access the funds available to them,” said Frank Green, financial aid and FAFSA specialist for Hawaiʻi P-20. . “We know that planning for college takes time, and we encourage families to have early conversations with their students to best plan how to pay for college and how to achieve their goals after high school graduation.”

All in-person and virtual workshops are free and open to all high school students. Registration and schedule are available at CollegeIsWithinReachHawaii.com.

Beginning in 2025, FAFSA completion webinars will provide students, parents and guardians the opportunity to hear from local financial aid and FAFSA specialists as they prepare to complete the form. Webinars are scheduled from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM every Wednesday from January 15th to March 12th.

“Many scholarships require completion of the FAFSA for eligibility,” Green said. “Now is the time for students to research scholarships, prepare their essays, and gather their FAFSA documents so that when the FAFSA becomes available on December 1st, they will be ready to fill out the form.”

“Completing the FAFSA is required every year you seek financial aid,” said Gus Cobb-Adams, Hawaiʻi P-20 college application and transition specialist. “Whether you already know where you want to go to college or you’re still unsure of your plans, fill out the FAFSA because it could unlock funds to help pay for your further education.”

For any questions about events, college planning, or the FAFSA, email [email protected] or call the Hawaiʻi FAFSA Hotline at (808) 842-2540 any time of the year. All calls and emails will be returned within 24 hours by a local financial aid specialist.