Hawai’i P-20 hosts virtual and in-person college planning events for high school students – Big Island Now

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Hawai’i P-20 Partnerships for Education and GEAR UP Hawaiʻi have scheduled additional college planning events to support local high school students and to guide them through the scholarship application process.
Virtual Scholarship Workshops are available statewide and will feature panelists from Sallie Mae, Hawai‘i Community Foundation and University of Hawai‘i System who will discuss how Hawaiʻi students can access funds to pay for college, regardless of their family income, as well as tips for scholarship applications and essays.
The virtual workshops will be from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7 and Thursday, Nov. 21.
The Native Hawaiian Scholarship ʻAha Series will bring representatives from various Native Hawaiian scholarship organizations to the University of Hawai’i at Hilo from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5. Attendees will have the chance to win a $500 scholarship. 
“There are many scholarship opportunities available to students from local and national organizations and we want to make sure that families are informed about how to access the funds available to them,” said Frank Green, financial aid and FAFSA outreach specialist for Hawaiʻi P-20. “We know college planning takes time and we encourage families to have conversations with their student early to best plan how to pay for college, and how to achieve their goals after high school graduation.”
All in-person and virtual workshops are free and open to all high school students. Registration and a schedule is available at CollegeIsWithinReachHawaii.com. 
Beginning in 2025, FAFSA Completion Webinars will give students, parents and guardians the opportunity to hear from local financial aid and FAFSA specialists as they prepare to complete the form. The webinars are scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday from Jan. 15 through March 12.
“Many scholarships require FAFSA completion for eligibility,” said Green. “Now is the time for students to research scholarships, prepare their essays, and gather their documents needed for the FAFSA so when FAFSA becomes available December 1 they are ready to complete the form.”
“FAFSA completion is necessary each year you are seeking financial aid,” said Gus Cobb-Adams, college application and transition specialist for Hawaiʻi P-20. “Whether you already know where you want to attend college, or if you are still unsure of your plans, complete the FAFSA because it could unlock funds to help you pay to further your education.”
For any questions about events, college planning or FAFSA, email FAFSA@hawaii.edu or call the FAFSA Hawaiʻi Hotline at (808) 842-2540 anytime throughout the year. All calls and emails will be returned within 24 hours by a local financial aid specialist.

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