Congratulations! College can be an exciting and life-changing opportunity. Parts of it might be hard, but the many rewards a college degree offers are worth it.
Did you know that you can use the U.S. Census Bureau’s data to see what the estimates are for how many college graduates live in Hawai‘i? Check it out here (scroll down to the ‘education’ label)! For adults who were 25 or older, during the years 2018 to 2022, only an estimated 34.7% were people who had a 4-year college degree (also called a bachelor’s degree) or higher.
This means that by completing a standard college degree, you will be adding to your social mobility and have the potential to earn more money, receive better job offers and positions, be eligible for promotions that require a degree, and possibly be able to continue your education later on.
How Can I Pay for College?
If you are interested in working for a company that will pay for your education or help you with the cost of tuition, you can use the table below to review options available in Hawai‘i.
When you are being interviewed, make sure to ask for information regarding tuition assistance or college programs. Each company has its own rules, regarding how much you have to work per week (if you are full-time or part-time), what majors they will and will not provide tuition for, a list of schools you might have to choose from, how long you must remain employed after earning your degree, and more. It’s important to know all of the terms and conditions so you can get the most benefits for your future.
Other Things to Know:
Tuition assistance usually means the company is giving you a certain amount of money per year to attend school. Tuition reimbursement means you have to pay the money to the school first, and your employer will pay you back after you’ve passed the class and/or graduated. Most companies offer one of these forms of payment for college classes, but some will pay for your entire degree if you attend a school they choose, and major in a specific area. Out-of-pocket costs usually mean things like textbooks, or a computer to be able to do online classes and submit homework. Some companies will pay your out-of-pocket costs, and some will not.
The Island Availability key for the below table is:
H = Hawai‘i Island (Big Island), M = Maui, O = O‘ahu, K = Kaua‘i.
| Employer | Notes | Link | Island Availability |
| Target | Target will pay certain amounts for your education if you major in select areas, and attend schools they have chosen. The schools have in-person and online opportunities. | Click to Go | H, M, O, K |
| Starbucks | Starbucks will pay for your tuition through Arizona State University, which you can attend fully online. | Click to Go | H, M, O, K |
| Lowe’s | Lowe’s has many different options for higher education at no cost. They even offer select programs to help employees earn their high school diploma and prepare for college. | Click to Go | H, M, O |
| Home Depot | Home Depot offers tuition reimbursements and scholarships, in addition to many other benefits. | Click to Go | H, M, O |
| Walmart | Walmart has many different options for earning your high school diploma, an associate’s degree, and professional development certificates. | Click to Go | H, M, O, K |
| McDonald’s | McDonald’s has pathways for earning your high school diploma, a free degree through Colorado Technical University (online), and tuition assistance for other schools. | Click to Go | H, M, O, K |
| Chick-Fil-A | Chick-Fil-A offers free tuition, and has a lot of requirements to be eligible. Make sure to read through what is expected of you before applying, if you plan to access college this way. | Click to Go | M, O |
| Best Buy | Full-time employees at Best Buy are eligible to have tuition paid for to earn a degree through Arizona State University (online). | Click to Go | O |
| Apple | Apple offers tuition assistance in addition to many other benefits, but it depends on the location where you’re working. | Click to Go | O |
| AT&T | AT&T offers tuition assistance, career training, and mentorship opportunities. | Click to Go | H, M, O, K |
| Papa John’s | Papa John’s offers many different types of financial assistance for college through their Dough & Degrees program. | Click to Go | O |
| UPS | UPS offers college assistance depending on your location and the job you’re interested in. | Click to Go | H, M, O, K |
| Spectrum | Spectrum offers free college degrees and reimbursement programs. The benefits you receive depend on the position and location of your job. | Click to Go | H, M, O, K |
| Bank of Hawai‘i | Bank of Hawai‘i helps with college tuition and existing college debt. The benefits depend on the position of your job. | Click to Go | H, M, O, K, Molokai, Lanai |
| First Hawaiian Bank | First Hawaiian Bank offers tuition reimbursement, depending on your job position. | Click to Go | H, M, O, K, Lanai |
| Honolulu Police Department | Full-time employees who have passed their probationary period may be eligible to have tuition and expenses reimbursed at HPD. The availability of the program depends on funding that HPD has received; make sure to ask a recruiter about the current offerings. | Click to Go | O |
FAFSA is a federal student aid program. Anyone can submit an application to find out how much federal aid they will be given to attend school. However, you will need a parent or guardian to assist you with the form if you are planning on living at home while attending school, or are under 18.
If you are over 18 and living on your own, you will need to be able to provide information on the application, like your social security number, and documents related to your income.
The FAFSA process can be a little confusing. When you visit the website, watch the helpful tutorial video at the bottom. If you are still struggling, check in with an instructor or your mentor for help.
Visit the FAFSA website!
The Hawai‘i Promise Scholarship “provides money from UH and the State of Hawai’i to cover direct education costs — including tuition, fees, and an allowance for books and supplies — that are not met by other forms of financial aid.” You can apply for this scholarship if you are going to be a student at one of UH’s community colleges. The scholarship is given after you have accepted all other forms of financial aid, so be sure to speak with a college counselor or the campus financial aid office for help with your application and understanding what they will or will not pay for.
Visit the Hawai‘i Promise Scholarship website!
The University of Hawai‘i at Manoa has a Kua‘ana Tuition Waiver available for students who are of Native Hawaiian ancestry. The waiver has specific requirements, including your GPA and how many classes you must be enrolled in.
Visit the Kua‘ana Tuition Waiver website!
The College Opportunities Program (COP) provides Hawaiʻi residents admission to the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa through their summer and first-year experience, including covering some costs like dorms. The program accepts Hawaii residents who are denied or may be denied admission and those admitted directly to UHM and are seeking additional support services. This is a great option for anyone who wants to go to college but is concerned about how difficult the coursework might be, or who is looking for the chance to prove that they can learn.
There are many scholarships and grants for all kinds of students looking to go to college. Each source of funding has its own individual requirements. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Hawai‘i Community Foundation maintain pages listing some of the scholarships and grants you can apply for.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs Page
Hawai‘i Community Foundation Page
Do you want to go to school somewhere other than Hawai‘i? The Western Undergraduate Exchange is a group of schools that work together to reduce tuition for out-of-state students.