The University of �鶹��ý has been selected as one of 10 recipients of a national grant from Lumina Foundation’s to expand its Direct2UH program. The $400,000 grant is part of the foundation’s $3.5 million investment to simplify the college admissions process and expand student access across the country.

Building on the success of Direct2UH—the direct admissions initiative launched in October 2025, offering free entry to public high school seniors based on their GPA—the grant will fund a unified admissions system with enhanced outreach and guidance. This creates a more equitable pathway for �鶹��ý students to apply, access financial aid and enroll across nine campuses, with UH Mānoa expected to join the program later this year.

“This investment allows us to build a simpler, more connected pathway to college for �鶹��ý‘s students—one that ensures every learner, regardless of background or geography, has clear and supported opportunities, making it easier for more students to move from aspiration to enrollment and ultimately to success,” said Farrah-Marie Gomes, UH associate vice president for student affairs. “This work matters locally because it directly addresses the barriers our students face and strengthens our responsibility as a statewide system to serve every community.”

Lumina’s Great Admissions Redesign initiative supports states, systems and institutions in integrating admissions, financial aid, advising and enrollment systems. The goal is to remove unnecessary barriers and help more students successfully enroll in and complete college.

“Across the country, we’re seeing real momentum to rethink how students access college,” said Melanie Heath, Lumina strategy director. “This cohort reflects a clear shift from fragmented fixes to coordinated, student-centered systems.”

Commitment to college access

At full scale, Direct2UH will reach students at all public and charter high schools across the state, with implementation in partnership with the �鶹��ý State Department of Education and �鶹��ý P–20. By aligning systems and expanding support, it will increase college access and enrollment statewide, particularly for rural and underserved communities.

Lumina’s Great Admissions Redesign initiative is part of a broader national effort to increase post-high school attainment and advance Lumina’s Goal 2040, which aims for 75 percent of working-age adults to hold a credential of value.

�鶹��ý’s public high schools reached new milestones in student achievement, with the class of 2025 posting the highest on-time graduation rate in state history, according to the latest .

The report, which tracks outcomes for 11,899 graduates across 66 public and charter schools, shows that 87% of students graduated on time, surpassing the previous record set by the class of 2024.

In addition to improved graduation rates, the report highlights continued progress in postsecondary pathways, including enrollment within the University of �鶹��ý system.

Approximately 3,958 graduates, about 33% of those enrolling in college, went on to attend a UH campus. Of those students, 18% enrolled at UH two-year colleges, while 16% attended four-year campuses.

Academic preparation

The CCRI report also provides insight into how well students are academically prepared upon entering UH. About 37% of students enrolled directly in college-level math courses, while 42% took college-level English. At the same time, a portion of incoming students either required below college-level coursework or did not enroll in math or English during their first term, signaling areas where further academic preparation may be needed.

More students are also participating in key academic assessments. ACT exam participation climbed to 76% statewide, up one percentage point, suggesting broader engagement in college entrance testing.

Career-focused education saw notable growth as well. The percentage of students completing Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs increased to 66%, up 3%. These programs are designed to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce or further specialized training.

While gains were recorded across several categories, the report notes that readiness benchmarks—such as ACT college-ready scores in English, math and science—remain an area for ongoing improvement.

The CCRI is released annually by (�鶹��ý P–20), in collaboration with the �鶹��ý State Department of Education (HIDEO) and the University of �鶹��ý.

The expansion of work-based learning into a sustainable statewide system, the launch of Direct2UH and a fifth consecutive GEAR UP grant are among the highlights in the .

is a statewide partnership led by the University of �鶹��ý System, �鶹��ý Executive Office on Early Learning and the �鶹��ý State Department of Education (HIDOE) that works to strengthen the education pipeline from early childhood through postsecondary education and training.

�鶹��ý P-20 helped to improve college and career transitions through new and expanded advising initiatives. Direct2UH was launched to streamline application and admission for �鶹��ý public high school seniors applying to UH campuses through a single online form.

The �鶹��ý College and Career Navigators program launched across three islands and 11 public high schools, providing individualized advising and transition support to nearly 1,000 students annually.

Career-connected learning experiences

A major milestone in 2025 was the continued scale-up of �鶹��ý’s Work-Based Learning Intermediary Network. What began as a small pilot has grown into a coordinated statewide system connecting schools, employers and communities to create meaningful career-connected learning experiences. By the 2024–25 school year, intermediary services generated 350 work-based learning experiences, reached more than 22,000 students and engaged more than 2,000 industry partners. Legislative action in 2025 secured HIDOE Workforce Development funds to sustain the network long term.

Work to align education with workforce needs continued through newly developed career pathway maps that connect HIDOE career pathways and programs of study with UH postsecondary programs and local workforce demand. These maps provide detailed information on transfer agreements, prerequisites, early college opportunities and related job prospects.

�鶹��ý P-20 was awarded its fifth consecutive GEAR UP grant, a seven-year federal award supporting more than 21,000 students annually in preparing for and succeeding in postsecondary education. In addition, �鶹��ý P-20 launched Educators Rising Clubs at eight HIDOE high schools to expand early exposure to teaching as a career and inspire students to pursue teacher education programs within the UH System.

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(�鶹��ý P–20) is offering free workshops to assist �鶹��ý students and their families with the planning process to further their education after high school. Upcoming workshop topics focus on how to earn scholarships to attend a two- or four-year college, as well as trade and vocational schools, and help with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for the 2026–27 school year.

Statewide Native Hawaiian Scholarship ʻAha Series

Starting October 14, �鶹��ý P–20, Native Hawaiian Education Association and Pacific Financial Aid Association will host the first of the Statewide Native Hawaiian Scholarship ʻAha Series events. In-person events will be held on �鶹��ý Island, Kauaʻi, ����Բ�ʻ��, Maui, Molokaʻi and Oʻahu, and two dates will be held online. Events are open for everyone to explore scholarship opportunities from various organizations across the state.

Dinner will be provided during each in-person event and a $500 scholarship will be awarded. FAFSA and financial aid representatives will also be available to ask questions and help students and families. For a complete listing of all Statewide Native Hawaiian Scholarship ʻAha Series events or to register for a specific date near you, visit .

Virtual Scholarship Workshops

At �鶹��ý P–20’s Virtual Scholarship Workshops, attendees will hear from representatives from Sallie Mae, �鶹��ý Community Foundation and the University of �鶹��ý System about how �鶹��ý students can access more than $70 million to help pay for college, regardless of their family income, as well as how to use scholarship search engines to apply for scholarships. Virtual Scholarship Workshops are scheduled for Thursday evenings on November 6 and November 20, from 6–7:30 p.m., and registration is available now at .

Virtual FAFSA Completion Workshops

The FAFSA for the 2026–27 award year is now open for all students to complete to become eligible for scholarships, grants and work-study funds, in addition to loans from the federal government. Attend a Virtual FAFSA Completion Workshop to see a line-by-line overview of the online application, learn about the allowable college expenses that financial aid can help to pay for including transportation, meals, books, tuition and various fees and speak directly with local financial aid specialists. Virtual FAFSA Completion Workshops begin on November 5, and are held on Wednesday evenings from 6–7:30 p.m. until March 11. Registration is available now at .

With questions regarding any of these events or for college planning assistance, families may contact FAFSA@hawaii.edu year round.

Beginning August 20, (�鶹��ý P–20) will launch the first in a series of its Virtual Financial Aid Workshops to assist with �鶹��ý high school students’ postsecondary education planning. All events are free and available to all families regardless of where the student plans to attend college.

Virtual Financial Aid Workshops will be held via Zoom on Wednesdays, 6–7:30 p.m., from August 20 through October 1. Attendees will learn how to access more than $150 billion in grants, loans and other government funding in addition to more than $70 million in scholarships awarded specifically to �鶹��ý students annually.

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“Now is the time for high school seniors to explore the various funding sources that are available to assist in reducing the cost of their postsecondary education,” said Frank Green, financial aid and FAFSA outreach specialist for �鶹��ý P–20. “Attending college in �鶹��ý can be affordable. Scholarships and grants are available for two- and four-year colleges, trade and vocational schools, and can cover expenses from tuition, books, transportation and beyond, and we want to make sure all �鶹��ý students have access to as many funds as possible.”

FAFSA information

Federal Student Aid (FSA) has announced that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026–27 award year will become available October 1. During this time families should create their personalized FSA ID, which is the required login and the first step to complete the FAFSA, in addition to preparing any additional documentation and financial information necessary to ensure they can complete and submit the FAFSA as early as possible.

“We encourage all students to complete the FAFSA for each school year they are seeking financial aid regardless of your family income, and local help is available to guide you through the process,” said Green. “Many scholarships and grants require FAFSA completion, so don’t leave money unclaimed and plan to complete your form when it becomes available October 1.”

Families across the state are invited to send any questions about the college planning process, financial aid or FAFSA to FAFSA@Hawaii.edu. All emails will be answered within 24 hours by a local financial aid specialist.

For a complete listing of upcoming college planning webinars, .

A new released by revealed promising outcomes for students pursuing healthcare careers in the state. The report follows students from �鶹��ý public schools through postsecondary education at the University of �鶹��ý and into the workforce, showing that healthcare remains a strong option for students to build meaningful careers locally.

Among the key findings:

• At nearly every level of degree earned, UH healthcare graduates in �鶹��ý are earning a living wage within five years of graduating, with most crossing that threshold by the second year
• 71% of �鶹��ý public school students who concentrated on healthcare enrolled in college in the first fall semester after graduating high school
• 62% of students who ever enrolled in a healthcare major at UH earned a postsecondary degree or certificate within six years

The full data story includes a link to the 2024 P–20 Data Insights webinar, which offers a deeper look at the findings and strategies to strengthen the education-to-workforce pipeline.

This data story is the product of a collaboration among experts from UH, �鶹��ý P–20, �鶹��ý Department of Education, Department of Health and various workforce-related community organizations to better understand and support students as they progress through the healthcare career pathway.

High school graduates of the class of 2024 excelled in numerous academic areas of study and matched the class of 2023 with the highest on-time high school graduation rate on record at 86%, according to the latest , released March 31. Among these students, 34% graduated with honors, the highest level in the past five years.

The class of 2024 CCRI report details the outcomes of 11,613 students among 67 public schools including public charters. The CCRI is produced annually by (�鶹��ý P–20), in collaboration with the �鶹��ý State Department of Education (HIDOE) and the University of �鶹��ý.

Class of 2024 overall college enrollment increased from 51% to 52% and the proportion of class of 2024 graduates who attended a UH campus increased 3 percentage points from the previous year, from 31% to 34%. Of particular note, the percentage of completers who enrolled in a UH two-year campus increased from 17% to 19%, the highest percentage since 2020.

“The increase in college enrollment at the UH Community Colleges highlights the growing impact of our strengthened career pathways between HIDOE high schools and our seven community college campuses,” said Della Teraoka, interim vice president for the . “With UH two-year enrollment on the rise and four-year enrollment reaching record levels, these collaborative efforts are creating more opportunities for students to pursue higher education and succeed right here at home.”

The class of 2024 also had the highest number of completers in the last five years to earn a score of three or better on an Advanced Placement exam to 18%, and the most completers of Dual Credit classes, which increased 3 percentage points from last year (24% to 27%). Additionally, there was a 3% increase from 2023 of students who entered UH after completing college-level credits through Dual Credit in high school for English and math.

Graduates who earned the Seal of Biliteracy (students who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in both of the state’s two official languages, English and Hawaiian; or either of the two languages and at least one additional language, including American Sign Language, by high school graduation) increased to 557 to 598 from the class of 2023, and CTE (career and technical education) honors also increased from 21% to 22%. The top three CTE programs completed by concentrators for the class of 2024 were hospitality, tourism, and recreation (23%); cultural arts, media and entertainment (20%); and health services (17%), all of which are integral areas of �鶹��ý’s economy.

“Although college-going data from the class of 2024 demonstrates a turnaround from previous years, there are reasons for concern with academic readiness, especially in math,” said Stephen Schatz, executive director of �鶹��ý P–20. “Math readiness is key across various industries, whether students aspire to be doctors, welders, auto mechanics, nurses, or teachers.”

UH degrees significant return on investment

In a study that evaluated the workforce earnings of UH graduates who earned two- and four-year degrees, the found that nine years after completing a college degree, students who received Pell grants earned wages similar to their non-economically disadvantaged peers, mitigating the effects of intergenerational poverty. Throughout their lifetimes, a college degree holder earns a 27% higher income, or $2.8 million more in wages for a bachelor’s degree and $2.7 million more, or a 22% higher income, for an associate of science and associate of applied science degree, when compared to students who stopped out and did not earn a degree.

As part of the University of �鶹��ý’s plan to address the state’s teacher shortage, almost 60 representatives from education programs across the 10 campuses gathered in October to begin the work of simplifying and streamlining pathways between and among education programs.

“The convening affirmed individuals’ commitment to working towards continuous improvement with a common goal to make transferring and earning degrees smoother and more efficient,” said Cecily Ornelles, UH Mānoa College of Education associate dean.

Improved transfer, online access

Pathway alignment ensures that high school graduates can begin their education at any UH campus and later transfer their credits across the system to complete their teacher preparation program in a timely manner. Another priority is to expand online access for students on all islands to provide equitable opportunities for program completion. Streamlined pathways are also designed to serve emergency hire teachers, educational assistants, and other school employees who wish to become certified and licensed teachers.

Convening attendees also formed five cross-campus working groups, which will meet regularly throughout the academic year to address issues related to early childhood education, elementary education, secondary and special education, pathways and roadblocks, and recruitment. Participants will reconvene in February 2025 to report back on proposed solutions for each identified issue and to discuss and finalize action plans for implementation.

“The relationship between UH and K–12 education is a uniquely symbiotic one, and, along with our healthcare programs, teacher preparation is arguably unrivaled in its importance to our community,” said Alan Rosenfeld, the associate vice president for academic programs and policy and one of the event facilitators. “Seeing our education faculty dedicate their precious time to participate in this convening to tackle the state teacher shortage was truly heartening.”

The education convenings represent one way UH is working to fill critical workforce needs across the state. Together with partners in the �鶹��ý Department of Education, �鶹��ý P–20, and the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, UH is committed to a collaborative process to build an excellent workforce for �鶹��ý’s keiki. Workforce development is one of the UH System �鶹��ý’s four imperatives.

To support local students as they make their post-high school plans, (�鶹��ý P–20) and GEAR UP �鶹��ý have expanded their schedule of college planning events across the state. All events are free and open to all high school students.

Virtual Scholarship Workshops are scheduled for November 7 and November 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. They will feature panelists from the University of �鶹��ý System, �鶹��ý Community Foundation and Sallie Mae, who will discuss how �鶹��ý students, regardless of their family income, can access funds to pay for college, in addition to scholarship application and essay writing tips.

The Native Hawaiian Scholarship ʻAha Series begins November 15, at Kapiʻolani Community College, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Additional in-person dates are scheduled in November and December at sites across Oʻahu, as well as Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, ����Բ�ʻ��, Maui, and �鶹��ý Island. Representatives from various Native Hawaiian scholarship organizations will be present at each event, and attendees will have the chance to win a $500 scholarship.

Beginning January 15, 2025, FAFSA completion webinars are scheduled on Wednesdays through March 12 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Attendees will hear from local financial aid and FAFSA specialists to prepare to complete the form and to answer any questions.

For questions about events, college planning or the FAFSA, email FAFSA@hawaii.edu or contact the FAFSA �鶹��ý Hotline at (808) 842-2540 year-round. All calls and emails will be returned within 24 hours by a local financial aid specialist.

For a complete list of free upcoming events including all Statewide Native Hawaiian Scholarship ʻAha Series dates and to register, .

Beginning in August, (�鶹��ý P–20) and GEAR UP �鶹��ý will launch free workshops statewide to assist with high school students’ postsecondary education planning. All events are free of charge and available to all families regardless of where the student plans to attend college. Workshops will be held both virtually and in person.

Online Financial Aid Workshops will begin August 21, and will be held on Wednesdays, 6–7:30 p.m., through October 2. Attendees will learn how to access more than $150 billion in grants, loans, and other government funding in addition to how to access more than $70 million in scholarships awarded specifically to �鶹��ý students annually.

“Whether a student plans to attend a 2-year or 4-year college, or a trade or vocational school, all are encouraged to attend our Online Financial Aid Workshops to learn about how affordable college can be, and what kind of aid is available to reduce the costs even further,” said Frank Green, financial aid and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) outreach specialist for �鶹��ý P–20.

Federal Student Aid has announced that the opening of the FAFSA for the 2025–26 award year has been moved from October 1 to December 1. During this time, families should create their personalized FSA ID, which is the required login and the first step to complete the FAFSA, in addition to preparing any additional documentation and financial information necessary to ensure they can complete and submit the FAFSA as early as possible when it becomes available. Families should also monitor deadlines for applications, scholarships and tuition payments for any potential changes.

�鶹��ý P–20 welcomes families to send questions about the college planning process, financial aid, or the FAFSA by emailing FAFSA@hawaii.edu, or call and leave a message with the FAFSA �鶹��ý Hotline at (808) 842-2540.

“Education is an investment in your future and local help is available all year to guide families to make the transition after high school as smooth as possible,” Green said.

For a complete listing of upcoming college planning webinars to include virtual scholarship workshops, visit the .