Hawaiʻi B+ Scholarship: aid for recent public high-school graduates

Hawaiʻi B+ is a University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges scholarship for state residents graduating from a Hawaiʻi public high school and enrolling directly in an eligible institution. It is aimed at students with strong academic records and financial need; the GPA alone does not trigger an award. The financial-aid office verifies transcripts, residency, and FAFSA before packaging aid, which remains subject to funding and enrollment.

Campus guidance specifies a high-school cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, a rigorous curriculum, and financial need determined through FAFSA. It also requires Hawaiʻi residency, full-time enrollment, and starting in the academic year immediately after graduation from a state public high school. The rigorous-course definition includes English, math, science, and college-preparatory subjects; ask a counselor how each course is counted.

B+ is distinct from Hawaiʻi Promise and from general UH scholarships. Honolulu’s page lists an award of up to $2,000 and notes that amounts depend on enrollment, need, and other resources; other system pages may describe renewal differently. Confirm coverage and renewal with the particular campus, especially before transferring, reducing credits, or adding an outside scholarship.

The central step is completing FAFSA for the academic year and sending the official high-school transcript to the college financial-aid office. Timing matters: college enrollment must follow graduation directly rather than begin years later. Ask what “directly following” means if you took a gap term or completed dual enrollment, since public guidance does not settle every individual case.

Campuses may request additional proof of residency, admission, and need, and the award can change if enrollment or other resources change. Institutional guidance says renewal for another year may be possible when satisfactory progress is maintained; do not assume four years of coverage. Get the award letter in writing and ask whether the benefit posts as a tuition credit, covers fees, and when it disburses.

The scholarship is easiest to navigate when students prepare before graduation: check that required courses appear on the transcript, ask the counselor about electronic delivery, and file FAFSA for the correct year. Families unsure about financial need should still request an eligibility review. UH lists financial-aid offices for each campus; they can confirm remaining funds and explain how B+ coordinates with other grants.

Before applying, confirm the current cycle, priority date, participating institution, enrollment load, and any missing records. Keep a copy of the FAFSA or state form, transcripts, and submission confirmation. Ask about renewal, covered expenses, and coordination with other aid. Do not budget money until you receive an official award.

Compare net cost and distinguish scholarships, grants, waivers, and loans; they are not all repaid or applied to the same charges. Verify current-cycle dates and requirements directly with the administrator.

Read the program profile and federal FAFSA guide; confirm with the administrator how the aid coordinates.

Scholarships — Hawaiʻi B+ — Honolulu Community College.

Financial Aid Types — Hawaiʻi Community College.

Financial Aid — University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges.

Guide checked against official sources on October 13, 2026. Aid, funding, and deadlines can change by cycle. Confirm eligibility with the program administrator and your college financial-aid office before relying on an award.

Bottom line

Confirm current eligibility and application steps with the official source before relying on the aid for college costs.

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