Hawaiʻi Is Making A Big Push To Increase College Enrollment. Will It Work?

As a senior at Castle High School, Shanelle Bartlett wished for an easier way of applying for college. She planned to enroll in Kapiʻolani Community College’s competitive medical laboratory technician program, but she didn’t know how to apply for the program and struggled to find financial aid options.

“I had to figure out how to do the KCC application by myself,” said Bartlett, who graduated from high school in May and is now pursuing the college’s medical laboratory technician program with a scholarship covering her first year of tuition. “I was very confused, and I didn’t understand anything.”

Hawaiʻi lags behind the nation when it comes to college attendance. Just over half of Hawaiʻi high school graduates attend college, compared to the national average of 63%, with roughly a third of graduates attending a University of Hawaiʻi campus.

A partnership between UH and the Department of Education aims to change this by simplifying the admissions process for in-state colleges. The initiative, called Direct2UH, provides all DOE seniors with guaranteed admissions to the system’s seven community colleges. Those with a 2.7 GPA or higher are also guaranteed admissions to UH West Oʻahu and UH Hilo.

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents held a press conference in Bachman Hall at the University of Hawaii, October 17th, 2024 to present Wendy Hensel as their choice to replace the retiring President Dr. David Lassner.(David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024)
UH President Wendy Hensel, along with DOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi, announced the launch of the Direct2UH program earlier this month. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024)
The initiative doesn’t include the flagship campus UH Mānoa, but the university will participate in the program next year, UH President Wendy Hensel said earlier this month.

Acceptance letters sent to graduating seniors instruct them to secure their spots by completing a free, simplified application that allows them to select the college of their choice. Admission is contingent on students’ graduation from high school.

The program aims to increase enrollment at UH campuses, particularly among students who haven’t considered higher education as an option. But local advocates and outside studies say students still need additional support around financial aid and career counseling for automatic admissions to have a significant impact.

For example, students can qualify for Hawaiʻi Promise, a state scholarship covering tuition and books for residents attending UH community colleges, but recipients must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Last year, less than half of Hawaiʻi public school seniors completed the FAFSA.

“One piece without the other,” said David Sun-Miyashiro, executive director of HawaiʻiKidsCAN, “I don’t think is really going to have the impact that folks hope.”

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