The Answers to Commonly Asked Questions About Financial Aid

After Sumida Farm was flooded earlier this year, ninth graders at Island Pacific Academy went to help clear debris. Photo: Courtesy of Island Pacific Academy

Q. Who should apply for financial aid? 

A. Everyone who is interested in a school should apply, even if you think you don’t qualify. Not everyone who applies will receive aid; however, most of the schools we asked are offering either the same amount of assistance as years past or even more and may be able to cover at least a portion of need. Make sure to let the school know about any changes to your finances that are not reflected in your 2025 tax returns.

Q. Will applying for aid affect my child’s chances of being admitted? 

A. No. Admission and financial aid decisions are separate and independent, though you should apply for both at the same time.

Q. Is need determined by my salary? 

A. Not entirely. It depends on each family’s situation and can include what expenses or liabilities they have, the child’s academic standing, special circumstances, as well as household income and assets. Applications are taken on a case-by-case basis. The website finaid.org has a calculator that takes into account various factors to analyze need. Find it at finaid.org/calculators/saicalculator.

Q. Do I need to apply every year? 

A. Yes. In general, if there is little or no change in your family’s circumstances, you can expect the award to stay at about the same level. Though the process doesn’t change much from year to year, some schools use third-party application platforms, so the process may look a little different.

Q. Are there other options for financial aid? 

A. Checking with the school of your choice is always best—some offer scholarships. The independent agency School and Student Services offers resources and support. There are also various scholarship opportunities available locally and nationally: Through Pauahi Foundation, the Kahapua‘ohai scholarship provides tuition assistance to ‘ohana with keiki ages 3 to 5 who face financial barriers to accessing quality early learning programs. Parents can apply for subsidies through PATCH Hawai‘i’s Preschool Open Doors program, the State of Hawai‘i Child Care Subsidy Program, or Child Care Aware of America, which has a strong focus on military families, as does Folds of Honor. Keiki O Ka ‘Āina’s HELP program also serves Native Hawaiian preschool children. Look for other resources from churches, community organizations and private foundations that support education. The Augustine Educational Foundation applications open in January. Some schools offer sibling discounts.

Q. What are the common mistakes parents make?

A. Not starting early enough. Applications are often available in the fall and the process of gathering all the documents can be time-consuming, and some schools offer early registration discounts. You’ll need your most recent tax returns before beginning. Turn in everything before the deadline so there is time for the office to ensure all necessary documents are in order, especially if the school needs any additional information to make a final decision. Reach out to the school for help if you have questions.

Parents should also have an idea of what they are willing to pay for a private education if their top school doesn’t offer as much aid as they were hoping for. It’s a good strategy to apply to multiple schools with a range of tuition costs and percentages of students receiving assistance.