Hawaii residents have access to federal grant programs plus a layer of state-administered programs funded by federal block grants, state appropriations, and partnerships with private foundations. This guide covers the most relevant 2026 programs by category, with the agencies that actually administer each one.
Federal grants available in Hawaii
All federal grant programs are open to Hawaii residents who meet program eligibility. The highest-volume programs are:
- Pell Grant — up to $7,580 for 2026–27 for undergraduates with demonstrated need, awarded through the FAFSA.
- FSEOG — supplemental need-based aid ($100–$4,000) administered by participating Hawaii colleges.
- TEACH Grant — up to $4,000/yr for students who agree to teach in high-need fields at low-income schools (becomes a loan if the service is not completed).
- SBA loan and disaster programs — including 7(a), 504, microloans, and disaster recovery loans administered by SBA district offices serving Hawaii.
- FEMA Individual Assistance — activated after a presidentially declared disaster in Hawaii counties.
- HUD pass-through programs — CDBG, HOME, and Housing Choice Vouchers administered by Hawaii state and local agencies.
There is no Hawaii-specific application step for federal aid — submit the FAFSA at studentaid.gov and apply for SBA/FEMA programs directly through the federal portals.
State higher-education grants
The Hawaii B+ Scholarship is a last-dollar need- and merit-based award for Hawaii residents enrolling at the University of Hawaii system after maintaining a 3.0+ GPA. The Hawaii Student Incentive Grant Program uses LEAP federal funds matched by state appropriations to support low-income undergraduates statewide.
Apply via the Hawaii P-20 / University of Hawaii System Financial Aid portal: www.hawaii.edu/financialaid/. Most state higher-education awards require the FAFSA and have earlier deadlines than the federal FAFSA priority date — check the state portal each January.
State-administered federal block grants
The following federal block grants flow into Hawaii and are re-distributed by state agencies:
- LIHEAP (energy/heating assistance) — administered by the Hawaii human-services or community-services department.
- WAP (Weatherization Assistance Program) — energy-efficiency retrofits for low-income households.
- TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) — cash assistance for families with children.
- CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) — subsidies for child care.
- CDBG and HOME — community development and affordable housing, channeled through Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) and the Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corporation (HHFDC).
- SNAP — food assistance, administered by Hawaii's social-services agency (a benefit program, not a grant).
- WIOA workforce training funds — administered through the Hawaii workforce-development board and local workforce-development areas.
Housing assistance in Hawaii
The Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corporation (HHFDC) runs the major homeownership and rental programs: Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) program for first-time buyers and down-payment-assistance loan programs layered with Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac products. The Hawaii Public Housing Authority separately administers federal Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing. Local public housing authorities operate Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing in Hawaii cities and counties.
For details and current income limits visit Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corporation (HHFDC).
Small-business support in Hawaii
True grants for small business are relatively rare; most state programs are loans, tax credits, or technical assistance. Hawaii businesses can access:
- Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) programs — including workforce-training reimbursement, industry-targeted incentives, and rural/opportunity-zone grants.
- Hawaii SBDC Network — free counseling and help identifying federal and state funding sources.
- SBA programs — 7(a) loans up to $5M, 504 loans, microloans up to $50,000, and SBIR/STTR research grants (Phase I ~$314k, Phase II ~$2.1M).
- USDA Rural Development business grants and loans for Hawaii's rural counties.
Disaster and emergency assistance
Hawaii Emergency Management Agency coordinates federal disaster aid — Maui wildfire recovery and Pacific storm response are ongoing in 2026. Survivors typically apply for FEMA Individual Assistance at disasterassistance.gov and small-business disaster loans through the SBA. Call 211 for local United Way referrals to emergency rent, food, and utility assistance.
How to apply
- File the FAFSA at studentaid.gov — required for Pell, FSEOG, TEACH, and most Hawaii state higher-education programs.
- Apply for Hawaii state aid through the Hawaii P-20 / University of Hawaii System Financial Aid portal before the state deadline.
- For housing, contact the Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corporation (HHFDC) or an approved lender — many programs require attendance at a HUD-approved homebuyer-education course.
- For small business, schedule a free session with the Hawaii SBDC Network before applying for any state or federal program.
- For disaster recovery, register with FEMA at disasterassistance.gov within the application window for your declared disaster.
There is no application fee for legitimate state or federal grants. Any service charging to "process," "expedite," or "guarantee" your Hawaii grant application is selling information that is freely available. Report scams to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Common questions
Where do I find the official Hawaii grant portal? Start at the Hawaii P-20 / University of Hawaii System Financial Aid for student aid, the Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corporation (HHFDC) for housing, and the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) for business and economic-development programs. Each maintains a current list of open programs.
Are Hawaii state grants taxable? Grants used for qualified educational expenses (tuition, fees, required books) are generally not taxable. Grants to for-profit businesses generally are taxable income. Consult IRS guidance or a tax professional for your specific program.
What if my SBA loan is denied? Work with the Hawaii SBDC Network to strengthen your application, or consider an SBA microloan intermediary, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) lender, or a community bank that participates in SBA Express (loans up to $500,000).
Where do I report grant scams in Hawaii? Report scams to the FTC and to the Hawaii Attorney General's consumer-protection division.
State residency alone does not qualify you for any grant — every program has its own eligibility criteria. Apply early, especially for state higher-education grants, which often have deadlines earlier than the federal FAFSA priority date.