Tax Information

Taxable Financial Aid
Current federal tax laws have made some financial aid taxable income. Financial aid received (other than loans) above the cost of tuition, fees, and books are considered taxable income. You should contact the IRS or a tax preparer for additional information.

Educational Income Tax Credits
There are three educational income tax credits that can reduce your or your family’s federal taxes. They are based on your university tuition and fee charges. The Hope tax credit can be claimed during the first two years of college, up to a maximum of $1650 per year. The Lifetime Learning tax credit is available for any level of post-secondary study, up to a current maximum of $2000 per year. Note that only one type of credit (Hope or Lifetime Learning) may be claimed for a student in a given year. The third is the American Opportunity Credit. For more information about tax credits, you can visit the IRS web site at www.irs.gov.

Student Loan Interest Deduction

Benefit
You may be able to reduce your taxable income for interest paid during the tax year on your student loans.

Income Limits
Please check IRS Publication 970 (for the current tax year), Tax Benefits for Education.

Other Information
Deductible interest includes loan origination fees, capitalized interest and voluntary interest payments on loans taken out solely to pay qualified educational expenses for a student enrolled at least halftime. Interest paid on loans from a relative or made under a qualified employer plan does not qualify for the deduction. You can claim this deduction even if you don’t itemized deduction.

Financial Aid Calculators

Net Price Calculator - https://npc.collegeboard.org/student/app/uhcc

The Net Price Calculator uses institutional data to provide estimated net price information to current and prospective students and their families based on a student’s individual circumstances.

Semester Grade Point Average (GPA) Calculator - http://www.back2college.com/gpa.htm

Calculator for Raising Your GPA - http://www.back2college.com/raisegpa.htm

Your GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted. Your grade point average may range from 0.0 to 4.0. For example:

A = 4 grade points per credit
B = 3 grade points per credit
C = 2 grade points per credit
D = 1 grade points per credit
F = 0 grade points

Credit/no credit (CR/NC) courses are not factored into your GPA. An “I” (incomplete) and “W” (withdrawal) do not receive grade points and do not have an effect on your GPA.

Total Grade Points ÷ Total Credit Hours Attempted = GPA

Your credit completion rate is calculated by taking the amount of credits you earned divided by the amount of credits you attempted.

Total Credits Earned ÷ Total Credits Attempted = Credit Completion Rate

To check your total credits earned and total credits attempted:

1. Go to STAR Degree Check at https://www.star.hawaii.edu:10012/studentinterface/
2. Use your UH username and password to log on to the website.
3. Click the Transcript/Grades tab and then choose Campus Transcript by Semester.
4. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and look for the Cumulative box on the right.
5. There you can find your Total Credits Earned and Total Credits Attempted

Financial Aid Calendar

Spring 2012 Calendar
Download in PDF format

‡ If your home campus is Hawaii CC and you are withdrawing from your last class at Hawaii CC, you must also submit a Complete Withdrawal Form to the AR/WHSS Office for processing. Refund deadlines apply.

Calendars are subject to change.