MEDIA RELEASE

The University of Hawaii is working with community partners, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, GEAR UP Hawaii, Pacific Financial Aid Association and Native Hawaiian Education Association, to help Hawaii residents obtain the financial aid they need to attend any of the 10 UH campuses statewide.

A series of free workshops, including the Native Hawaiian Scholarship Aha Program and College Goal Sunday, have been scheduled statewide to provide information on federal financial aid forms and resources available, including specific financial aid resources for Native Hawaiian students.

“One of the repeated concerns of students surrounding the recent tuition increase was how could they afford to go to college,” said University of Hawaii Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Lui Hokoana.

“Resources such as increased financial aid, staff support to help apply for scholarships, and free workshops such as these will allow us to serve more potential students than ever before, and increase access to a college degree for all who truly wish to pursue it,” Hokoana said.

The Native Hawaiian Scholarship Aha Program is a partnership of the University of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Native Hawaiian Education Association, GEAR UP Hawaii and the Pacific Financial Aid Association.

The program offers free presentations in December 2011 and January 2012 for high school and college students, families, teachers, counselors and anyone interested in learning more about sources of financial aid available to Native Hawaiians.

The 2011-2012 schedule of scholarship fairs by island includes:

HAWAII ISLAND

* Hilo – Thursday, Dec. 15, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
UH Hilo Dining Hall
200 West Kawili Street, Hilo

* Kona – Tuesday, Dec. 20, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Kealakehe High School Cafeteria
74-5000 Puohulihuli Street, Kailua Kona

KAUAI

* Lihue – Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Kauai Community College, Dining Room
3-1901 Kaumuali‘i Highway, Lihu‘e

OAHU

* Waianae – Tuesday, Dec. 6, 6–8:30 p.m.
Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Dining Pavillion
86-260 Farrington Highway

* Windward – Wednesday, Dec. 7, 6–8:30 p.m.
Windward Community College, Hale Akoakoa 101
45-720 Keaahala Road, Kane‘ohe

* Kapolei – Tuesday, Dec. 13, 6–8:30 p.m.
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hale Kalanianaole
91-5420 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei

* Kahuku – Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Kahuku High School Cafeteria
56-490 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku

* Waimanalo – Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Ka Hooilina Na Kuhio Community Center
41-253 Ilauhole Street, Waimanalo

* LANAI
Lanai City – Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Lanai School Cafeteria
555 Fraser Avenue, Lanai City

* MAUI
Kahului – Wednesday, Dec. 14, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
UH Maui College, Pilina Building
310 Kaahumanu Avenue, Kahului

* Hana – Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Hana School Cafeteria
4111 Hana Highway, Hana

* MOLOKAI
Kaunakakai – Wednesday, Dec. 14, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Molokai Regional Resource Center
Kulana Oiwi Center #12, Kaunakakai

College Goal Sunday offers assistance to parents and students in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

The FAFSA is the federal application required by most colleges, universities and vocation schools in the nation.

Multiple workshops are scheduled statewide in January 2012, including:

Sunday, Jan. 22 – Oahu and in East Hawaii
Sunday, Jan. 29 – Maui, Kauai and in West Hawaii

No registration is necessary. For specific workshop sites on each island and information on documents to bring to the workshops, visit www.cgshawaii.org