UH Board of Regents approves program to increase allocation for student financial assistance

KAPOLEI, Oʻahu — At its monthly meeting held today at Kapolei Hale, the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents (BOR) approved proposed policy revisions to help maximize the financial assistance for Hawai'i residents enrolled as students at the University of Hawaiʻi. The approved changes will go into effect in Fall 2007.

"The Board‘s action today has put in place a comprehensive program of financial aid for UH students. The creation of UH grants and scholarships will enable campuses to increase access for low income Hawaiʻi residents, to attract academically superior students both from Hawaiʻi and elsewhere, and to manage their financial assistance in keeping with campus mission and program priorities," said Linda Johnsrud, UH vice president for academic planning and policy.

The policy revision replaces tuition waivers and certain non-resident tuition differential waivers with University of Hawai'i grants and scholarships. Four new awards are created with this policy change: opportunity grants based on need, achievement scholarships based on merit and/or service, international student scholarships, and Pacific Islander scholarships.

The allocation for student financial assistance will be a share of the tuition revenues that will keep pace proportionately with the increases in tuition. The amount awarded to Hawaiʻi residents based on financial need is projected to increase from $4 million in 2004-2005 to $16.6 million by 2011-2012. Under the revised policy, certain UH tuition waivers will continue to be honored including the following:· Graduate assistants (as a function of their appointment)· Employees and spouses or domestic partners of UHPA members (as established in collective bargaining agreements)· Native Hawaiian need-based waivers· Current non-resident students receiving tuition support under the existing guidelines who are continuously enrolled until they complete their current degree or certificate

The changes will also allow the university to predict and monitor the value of tuition assistance provided and allow greater flexibility in awarding grants and scholarships of varying dollar values.

Regents and UH President David McClain expressed commitment to sustain access for underserved populations through the new scholarship programs that were approved, particularly as these new awards apply to Pacific Island students from jurisdictions that do not have public higher education institutions granting baccalaureate degrees.