UH-Hilo predicts awarding $50M in financial aid
HILO — University of Hawaii at Hilo students could receive more financial aid next year than ever before.
The campus predicts awarding close to $50 million in aid for the 2017-18 school year, up from $43.1 million in 2016, $42.4 million the year prior and about $46 million in 2014.
In 2006, UH-Hilo awarded just $12.37 million in student aid.
The $50 million is projected based on how much has already been awarded — $34.6 million in its first round of aid distribution, said Farrah-Marie Gomes, UH-Hilo vice chancellor for Student Affairs.
“(The increase) is to keep pace with the cost of attendance,” Gomes said. “The cost of attendance is factored into the formula when we give aid. So as (the cost) goes up, we like to make sure aid can keep up with that. One of our main priorities is to provide access regardless of a student’s ability to pay.”
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