Financial Aid Overview

Applicants who are in need of financial assistance should plan to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid which typically becomes available on October 1 each year. The steps below provide an overview of the process to receive your federal aid. Need-based awards will be awarded dependent on eligibility, need, and order the FAFSA application is received. All other awards, including merit scholarships, are awarded by the Admissions Office independent of your FAFSA information.

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Changes in Federal Financial Aid Policy:

Please Note: The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law is closely monitoring ongoing changes to financial aid policies. The information provided here is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of March 30, 2026. We will update this page as new federal regulations are finalized and additional guidance becomes available.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA or OB3) was passed on July 4, 2025 and will impact certain Federal Student Aid programs starting July 1, 2026 for the 2026-2027 academic year.

This page is for informational purposes only and is based on the current understanding of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s proposed implementation by the U.S. Department of Education. This information is subject to change pending final regulatory text.

Federal Financial Aid Changes: Effective for the 2026-2027 Academic Year Scenarios by Class Year

Financial Aid Steps for Incoming Law Students

STEP 1: Submit Your FAFSA

If you plan to apply for financial aid—including federal loans, need-based scholarships, opportunity grants, or work-study—submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible each year.

You’ll need:

• School Code: 001610
• Tax Year: Prior-prior year (e.g., for 2026–27, use 2024 tax info)

FAFSA Tips

• Don’t wait for an admission decision or finalized tax returns—submit early.
• For law school, you are considered independent (no parental info required)
• Create an FSA ID and apply at: studentaid.gov

STEP 2: Check Your Financial Aid Status

Log in to MyUH with your UH username and password. If this is your first time using the MyUH portal, click on “Get a UH Username.”

To check your status:

1. Go to View My Financial Aid Information → My Overall Status
2. Select your aid year and click Submit
3. Review Terms and Conditions and check for Student Requirements
   
   Important: Financial Aid Services cannot process your aid until all requirements are complete.

STEP 3: ACCEPT OR DECLINE YOUR OFFER

We’ll email you when your financial aid package is ready. You can also check MyUH anytime.

To accept or decline your award offer:

1. Log in to MyUH→ Accept Award Offer tab. If this is your first time using the MyUH portal, click on “Get a UH Username.”
2. Accept or decline full or partial amounts of the offered aid
3. Check Student Requirements and Active Messages regularly

Deadline for entering students:
 Accept or decline your aid within 30 days of the award date. If you do not plan to attend our law school please notify us at lawadm@hawaii.edu so we can release funds to other students.

STEP 4: COMPLETE LOAN REQUIREMENTS

If you are accepting federal loans, you must complete the following requirements:

Direct Unsubsidized Loan (Do this at studentaid.gov)

STEP 5: RECEIVE YOUR DISBURSEMENT

Once you’ve accepted your award and completed requirements:

1. Funds will be applied to your UH student account to cover tuition and fees first.
2. Remaining funds will be refunded by check or direct deposit (eRefund).

Sign up for eRefund in MyUH to avoid delays

Outside Scholarships: 

• Checks payable to UH will apply toward tuition first; any remaining funds will be refunded.
• Co-payable checks (to you and UH) must be endorsed at the Cashier’s Office.

Private Loans:

• Private loans may require a credit check.
• We make no specific recommendations. A useful resource as you explore your options may be the AccessLex Private Loan eXchange.

REFUND POLICY

Please see the University Bursar’s Office website for the University’s refund policy [manoa.hawaii.edu].