Applying for Aid
Most forms of student aid require the submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA not only determines your eligibility for federal aid but may also qualify you for state and institutional aid. Certain funds are limited, so applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early. To be considered for merit scholarships, please see our Grants and Scholarships page for more information. Follow the steps below for a financial aid award offer.
Financial Aid Checklist
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be completed every year for students interested in receiving federal, state and/or institutional aid. A FAFSA can be submitted as early as October 1st of the year preceding the academic year you are planning to attend. For example, the FAFSA application for funding during the 2023-2024 academic year will be available on October 1, 2022.
The student and parent (if the student is dependent) will each need an FSA ID which will serve as your electronic signature.
Please include the University of Hawai’i West O’ahu (UHWO) FAFSA school code 014315 on your application so that your information will be sent to our institution.
Students should receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) which is a summary of the information you provided on the FAFSA and confirms your application has been processed. Your FAFSA information is usually received by the UHWO Financial Aid Office within 2 weeks.
If you are preparing to apply for federal financial aid for college, Federal Student Aid provides helpful information and tips on how to get this done on their website studentaid.gov as well as their YouTube channel, FederalStudentAid.
The priority deadline for the Fall semester is March 1 and the priority deadline for the Spring semester is October 1.
The UHWO Financial Aid Office may request additional information such as verification items (tax transcripts, taxes, W-2’s), citizenship documents, or any other information needed to move you a step closer to receiving a financial aid offer.
Please submit any additional documents to our office via UHWO Secure File Transfer: https://westoahu.hawaii.edu/it/securefiletransfer.
To receive a financial aid offer, students will also need to complete an admissions application and be admitted to a degree-seeking program. Non-degree and certificate programs are not eligible for federal financial aid.
Important: Please monitor your hawaii.edu email account for communications or requests for information from the Financial Aid Office. Your prompt response allows us to move you forward in a timely manner.
You will receive an email notification when a financial aid offer is available. Please review the offer and accept the aid you would like to receive through your MyUH Services portal. (Note: Grants and scholarships may have already been accepted on your behalf.) Please go to the Review and Accept Your Award Offer page for instructions on how to navigate through your MyUH Services portal to complete this step.
If you are borrowing a Direct Loan for the first time, you must complete the Loan Entrance Counseling and a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN).
- Log in to studentaid.gov using your FSA ID.
- Use the Quick Links menu and complete the following under “COMPLETE AID PROCESS”:
- Entrance Counseling
- Master Promissory Note (MPN)
We also recommend that you complete the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement in order to see your cumulative loan amounts borrowed through the Direct Loan Program.
Students and parent borrowers are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office if you have any questions or need assistance with the loan process. For those interested in applying for a private loan, please go to our Loans page for more information.
To maintain your eligibility for financial aid, you must:
- Enroll in and attend degree-applicable courses
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Notify the Financial Aid Office of any changes (enrollment, living situation, etc.)
- Notify the Financial Aid Office if you will be receiving any outside resources (scholarships, grants, stipends, etc.). Additional stipends and resources may affect your eligibility for financial aid and your award package may need to be revised due to these resources.
Note: Funds will begin disbursing to your UH student account no sooner than 10 days prior to the start of the semester provided you have completed all necessary requirements and are registered at the enrollment level for which your financial aid award offer was based.
FAFSA Year Application Guide
| If you are a student enrolling in… | Complete the FAFSA for these years: |
|---|---|
| Fall 2022 or Spring 2023 | 2022-2023 |
| Fall 2023 or Spring 2024 | 2023-2024 |
FAFSA Video Tips and Tutorials
FAFSA Code
UH West O‘ahu Federal School Code: 014315
Related links
Create a FSA ID
Grants and Scholarships
Financial Aid Policies
