Hawaii House Bill HB1114

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/23
• Refer: 1/30/23

Caption

Relating To The University Of Hawaii Promise Program.

Impact

The bill underscores the importance of education in Hawaii's socioeconomic landscape by facilitating increased enrollment and graduation rates within the state's higher education system. Funding for the program is dependent on appropriations from the state's general revenues and aims to alleviate financial barriers that many students face in accessing or completing their education. By focusing on students with unmet direct cost needs, it encourages a more equitable approach to higher education, allowing more individuals to benefit from postsecondary degrees.

Summary

House Bill 1114 is designed to expand the existing Hawaii Promise Program, which aims to provide scholarships to address the unmet financial needs of qualified undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Hawaii's four-year campuses, namely the University of Hawaii at Manoa, University of Hawaii at Hilo, and University of Hawaii-West Oahu. This legislative initiative seeks to increase educational access for underrepresented populations, particularly native Hawaiians and low-income students. It aligns with the state's overarching goal to boost college completion rates and educational attainment, contributing to a more skilled workforce and engaged citizenry.

Contention

Notably, the bill addresses the concerns raised regarding affordability in higher education—a challenging issue for many families in Hawaii. Studies have indicated that rising costs of education may deter low- and middle-income students from pursuing higher education. Critics might argue about the sustainability of funding the Promise Program and whether it adequately addresses the broader systemic issues of affordability and access in higher education. There may also be discussions on how effectively the bill can engage target populations and whether it addresses the needs of students at community colleges, who may not directly benefit from these scholarships.