Education (Student Financial Aid)

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 14, 2026

GM 1337: Informing the Legislature that on July 13, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2338 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 235).

This bill updates the Hawaii Community College Promise Program to better align with recent federal financial aid regulations. It directly affects students enrolled at University of Hawaii community colleges by changing how their scholarship awards are calculated. Under the new rules, grants, scholarships, and other funding sources will no longer be subtracted from the program's award amount, allowing students to use those funds for indirect costs like housing and food instead. The legislation ensures that eligible students can receive scholarships covering ninety-five percent of their unmet direct cost needs while complying with federal guidelines.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands financial aid access by allowing funds for indirect costs like housing and food, strengthening student support at community colleges.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 29, 2026

GM 1165: Informing the Legislature that on May 29, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2138 HD1 CD1 (ACT 065).

This bill formally notifies the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed SB2138 into law on May 29, 2026. The legislation expands tuition assistance under the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to include company grade officers (ranks O-1 through O-3), in addition to enlisted personnel and warrant officers. It also clarifies that eligible recipients must be state residents and undergraduate or graduate students attending any University of Hawaii campus. The changes take effect on July 1, 2026, pending the availability of funds.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands tuition assistance to National Guard officers, increasing educational access and funding for eligible students.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands tuition assistance to National Guard officers, directly strengthening veteran education benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid National Guard & Reserve

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 74: URGING THE GOVERNOR TO RECONSIDER HIS DECISION NOT TO ALLOW HAWAII TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FEDERAL EDUCATION FREEDOM TAX CREDIT PROGRAM.

This bill urges the Governor of Hawaii to reconsider the decision not to allow the state to participate in the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program. The program would provide federal tax credits of up to $1,700 for donations to scholarship organizations, which could then be used to fund scholarships for K-12 students from low- and middle-income households. By opting in, Hawaii would enable families to use these funds for private school tuition, tutoring, and other educational support services without reducing public school funding. The resolution requests that the state designate local scholarship organizations to receive donations, thereby expanding educational options for Hawaii students.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill advocates for federal tax credit program that provides tax relief to families and expands educational funding options, aligning with support indicators for tax relief and funding expansion.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill advocates for federal tax credit program that would expand educational access and provide scholarships for K-12 students from low- and middle-income households.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits School Choice School Funding Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HR 43: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SUPPORT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FOUNDATIONS IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS TO OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID TO GRADUATES AND PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE SCHOOLS.

This House Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Education to help public high schools create foundations that provide scholarships and financial aid to graduates while also supporting the schools themselves. The bill directs the department to offer a statewide program that guides school foundation organizers through complex tasks like setting up nonprofit status, writing charters and bylaws, and managing finances and technology. It specifically aims to help schools that currently lack these foundations, building on earlier legislative efforts from 2012 that saw limited progress. The resolution clarifies that the Department of Education would assist with setup but would not oversee or manage the foundations once they are established.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill seeks to establish school foundations to provide scholarships and financial support, indicating increased funding for education programs and fiscal management support.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes foundations to provide scholarships and financial aid to graduates while supporting schools through a statewide program, directly advancing educational access and school resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HCR 47: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SUPPORT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FOUNDATIONS IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS TO OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID TO GRADUATES AND PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE SCHOOLS.

This House Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to help public high schools create foundations that provide scholarships and financial aid to graduates while also supporting school funding needs. The bill aims to assist schools in navigating the complex process of establishing nonprofit organizations by offering guidance on legal requirements, financial management, and technology needs. It specifically asks the department to create a statewide resource development program to help school organizers overcome barriers to foundation establishment, though the Department of Education would not oversee the foundations once they are created. The resolution highlights that only a few schools currently have such foundations and seeks to expand this support across the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill seeks to establish school foundations to provide scholarships and financial support to schools, indicating support for education funding and resource development.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly requests funding and support for school foundations to provide scholarships and financial aid, directly strengthening educational access and resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 158: URGING THE GOVERNOR TO RECONSIDER HIS DECISION NOT TO ALLOW HAWAII TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FEDERAL EDUCATION FREEDOM TAX CREDIT PROGRAM.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Governor of Hawaii to reconsider the decision to opt out of the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program, which would allow Hawaii to participate in a federal scholarship initiative. The bill explains that the program provides federal tax credits to donors who contribute to scholarship organizations, with funds used to offer educational scholarships to K-12 students from low- and middle-income households. If Hawaii were to opt in, the state could designate local scholarship organizations to receive donations, potentially expanding educational options for families without reducing public school funding. The resolution highlights that 23 states have already joined the program and notes Hawaii's current academic performance statistics as context for why participation might be beneficial. This document is a non-binding recommendation rather than a law, as it does not directly change policy but instead asks the Governor to review the decision.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill urges participation in federal tax credit program providing tax relief to donors and scholarships for low/middle-income students, advancing tax policy affecting state budget.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill urges participation in federal scholarship program expanding educational access for K-12 students from low- and middle-income households.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits K-12 Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 148: URGING THE GOVERNOR TO RECONSIDER HIS DECISION NOT TO ALLOW HAWAII TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FEDERAL EDUCATION FREEDOM TAX CREDIT PROGRAM.

This Senate resolution urges the governor of Hawaii to reconsider his decision not to allow the state to participate in the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program. The program offers a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations to scholarship organizations, which can then be used to provide educational scholarships to low- and middle-income students for private school tuition, tutoring, and other educational expenses. Hawaii would need to opt-in to the program to become a participating state, and the bill highlights that the program is funded through private contributions rather than state tax dollars. The resolution notes that 23 states have already opted in and that Hawaii's current education proficiency rates are relatively low, suggesting potential benefits from expanding educational choice options.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill urges participation in federal tax credit program providing up to $1,700 tax credits for scholarship donations, offering tax relief and expanding educational funding options for low/middle-income families.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill urges participation in federal tax credit program that provides scholarships for private school tuition, expanding educational access and funding options for students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1751: RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD STATE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Authorizes the Adjutant General to expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to include graduate degrees at the University of Hawaii for qualified personnel in the Hawaii National Guard. Effective 1/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition assistance for graduate degrees at UH, increasing higher education access for National Guard members through STAP funding.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands Hawaii National Guard tuition assistance to include graduate degrees, directly advancing veteran education benefits and career opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3158: RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROMISE PROGRAM.

Amends the Hawaii Community College Promise Program (Hawaii promise) to exclude grants, scholarships, and other funding sources from the calculation of Hawaii promise awards, allowing students to apply such funds toward indirect costs, including housing, food, and other living expenses, to reduce financial barriers and support student success. Addresses the change in federal law regarding Pell Grants. Changes Hawaii promise from being a last-dollar award.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends Hawaii Promise to allow grants/scholarships for living expenses, reducing financial barriers and supporting student success per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allows student aid to cover housing costs, reducing financial barriers for housing affordability under the Hawaii Promise Program.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 968: RELATING TO TEACHER LOANS.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a teacher loan forgiveness program to assist in the payment of loans for teachers who commit to teaching in the Hawaii public school system. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes teacher loan forgiveness program with appropriated funds, directly supporting educators and public school retention in Hawaii.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Teachers

Track