How to Get Financial Aid

Get Started : Apply

When: Any time

What: Step 1, how to get financial aid

Who: Future full-time freshmen

Start the process by completing your application to Chaminade. We do not have a deadline for applications, we process applications throughout the year. Our online application can be completed in several sections.
To complete your application we have to receive records of your test scores, school transcripts, and a personal statement. Links:

» Online Application
» Checklist - Your Application File

Be sure to get test scores and transcripts in.

When: As soon as possible after completing the application form.

Legwork & Emails: Get your school and the testing services to send transcripts and test scores directly to Chaminade admissions. We will also need a personal statement.

Double Check and Follow Up:

» Check your email inbox and your snail mailbox for messages from us
» Check your Chaminade file in WebAdvisor
» Application checklist

Accepted? Automatic Scholarship

When: On acceptance to Chaminade.

If you are accepted to Chaminade as an entering freshman, you will receive an automatic scholarship based on a good high school GPA.

» Freshman Merit Scholarships
» Hawai'i Freshman Merit Scholarships
» More Grants and Scholarships

Chaminade Scholarship Deadline

When: March 1 is recommended

March 1 is the priority deadline for applications for Chaminade scholarships and grants for Fall Term. Those that meet this deadline will be worked on first. But if you can’t meet that deadline then apply as soon as you can. Get your applications in early!

File FAFSA, Check FAFSA

When: February

Check FAFSA for errors

Be sure to enter your email address on the FAFSA form, and after you submit, watch your inbox for messages regarding your FAFSA. Also, three days after you hit "submit" and file the FAFSA, you can check the status of your FAFSA online on the FAFSA site. You can see if anything is incomplete or if additional steps need to be taken.

When does Chaminade get your FAFSA?
We will get our copy/report about a week after it has been submitted online.

Start FAFSA

When: Early February

Our school code is 001605.

To start, you and your parent will each need a PIN, an electronic signature. To get a pin, go to www.pin.ed.gov. Then go to the FAFSA site, www.fafsa.ed.gov.

» About Filing a FAFSA. Recent changes have made the FAFSA somewhat easier to tackle. As a student, you may be able to fill out the form with your parent's tax information, and have them check it over and sign it.

Do Taxes

When: Late January

File Taxes
W2's arrive in January. Parents can now file taxes. The FAFSA can be started at any time.

Don't Delay the FAFSA Filing
Tips: Remember, if your tax returns must be delayed, you can use estimated income amounts. If parents are not filing a return, known income amounts can be used. Contact us with your questions!

Scholarship Deadlines

When: As early as December 1

Many community scholarships have a deadline of December 1 (for the upcoming Fall Term enrollments.) Be aware of scholarship deadlines. Get your scholarship applications done early!

Our Policy to Maximize Your Scholarship Potential

Let our Financial Aid Office know about any such non-Chaminade scholarships you do receive. We are required by federal law to list these scholarships in your package. However, our policy is to avoid reducing any of our own grant assistance due to outside scholarship awards (unless mandated by federal regulations). If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Make a Deposit, Make a Decision, Enroll

When: Spring, Summer for Fall Term

Deposit: If you have decided that Chaminade may be the school for you, to reserve your place, please make a deposit with Admissions.

Decision: Please let Admissions know when you have made your firm decision to attend Chaminade. There is some additional required paperwork (such as the health form) to complete, and if you are living on campus you will need to reserve your dorm.

Enroll: Enrollment is easy for your first semester: Our enrollment specialist will assemble your preferred course schedule as soon as we have your deposit.

Chaminade Invoice Arrives

When: Early August for Fall Term

Our Chaminade Invoice will arrive BEFORE your financial aid is disbursed to your account. Your bill may show a large amount due, because aid you are eligible for cannot be disbursed until the start of school. To get a sense of what you will have to pay (if anything) compare your balance to the financial aid that you see on your award letter.

Money Arrives

When: Fall Term

If you’ve followed through on all the prior steps, your financial aid should be ready by the start of school. Federal regulations prohibit federal aid from being disbursed to students’ accounts any sooner than 10 days before the start of school. Chaminade begins disbursing all available aid as early as this so that students’ accounts are settled by the first day of classes. If you have more aid in your account than charges pending you will eventually receive a refund of your excess aid in the form of a paper check distributed at the Business Office window. Refunds are typically available beginning at the end of the first week of classes (IF your aid was in order and disbursed to your account before the start of school.) If not available during the end of the first week, your refund will be available at the earliest possible time according to policies set forth by the Business Office.

Good luck with your school year!

Remember, to get financial aid again next year, you will need to file the FAFSA again, and apply again for scholarships and loans.