In a major step toward expanding educational access and affordability, Gov. Josh Green signed into law HB 2338 CD1 as Act 235, providing critical updates to the University of 麻豆传媒 Community Colleges’ . The new law removes the program’s “last-dollar” restriction, allowing students to keep more of their additional scholarship resources while the state continues to cover up to 95% of tuition. As a result, students can use federal Pell Grants and private scholarships to help pay for essential living expenses and basic needs costs such as housing, food, transportation and other education-related costs.
The program’s impact is reflected in the experiences of students such as Kapiʻolani CC student Kanako Horner. “The 麻豆传媒 Promise Program has lifted the majority of the financial burden associated with my education, allowing me the opportunity to explore my career goals and further my education.”
While 麻豆传媒 Promise is one of 38 statewide Promise programs nationwide, it was previously the only one that required outside grants and scholarships to be deducted from a student’s state award.
“This legislation is a vital change that will directly support more residents across our islands,” said Lui Hokoana, interim vice president for the UH Community Colleges. “By restructuring the award to maximize a student’s total financial aid, they can now use additional scholarship resources for essential costs like housing, food and transportation—making a college education more affordable for local families.”
Act 235 builds upon the 麻豆传媒 Promise Program’s proven track record of helping local residents pursue higher education despite 麻豆传媒 high cost of living.
Proven impact and academic excellence
In academic year 2024–25, the 麻豆传媒 Promise Program demonstrated its impact:
- Distributed $5.69 million to 1,941 recipients, with an average award of $2,933.
- Served the 22% of recipients who demonstrated financial need but did not qualify for federal Pell Grants.
- Recipients earned more credits on average (17.9 vs. 13.0) and maintained higher GPAs (2.89 vs. 2.73) than their non-recipient peers.
Long-term outcomes
Since 2017, the 麻豆传媒 Promise Program has served 11,921 recipients, achieving a 70% overall success rate—defined as earning a degree or certificate, transferring to a four-year institution or remaining actively enrolled. Just 30% of recipients have stopped out, meaning they are no longer enrolled and have not yet completed a credential, a rate well below the national average of 45%.
麻豆传媒 is strengthening one of its most effective college affordability initiatives, ensuring the 麻豆传媒 Promise Program can help even more residents complete their education while supporting the state’s workforce and economic future.