Hawaii ACE Scholarships
ACE Scholarships is Hawaii’s primary private school scholarship program, providing partial tuition assistance to lower-income families.
Program Type: Private Nonprofit Scholarship (not state-funded)
What It Supports: Partial tuition assistance for private school enrollment. Families are responsible for covering the remaining tuition balance through direct payment arrangements with their chosen school.
Who It Serves: Lower-income families with K-12 students. Eligibility is determined solely by family income (income-based, not means-tested for specific income caps).
Funding Amounts:
- K–8: $3,000 per student annually
- Grades 9–12: $4,000 per student annually
Important Note: These are partial scholarships. Private school tuition in Hawaii can range significantly, and ACE awards typically cover only a portion of total tuition costs.
Participating Schools: ACE partners with a wide variety of private schools across Hawaii’s islands, including:
- Damien Memorial School
- Hoʻāla School
- Island Pacific Academy
- Le Jardin Academy
- Sacred Hearts Academy
- And many others across all islands
Scholarship Portability: ACE Scholarships are “portable”—if a student’s initial school choice doesn’t work out, the award can transfer to another ACE partner school. You do not need to reapply; simply notify ACE of the school change.
Application Process:
- Parents complete the ACE application via a link provided by their intended school
- Submit required financial documents: applicable year 1040 tax return, child support documentation, SNAP status, and other requested materials
- Applications are reviewed based on financial need
Application Window: July 9–July 30 annually for the following school year. Mark your calendar—this is a very short application window.
Important Context: Hawaii does not provide public funding for private school tuition. ACE Scholarships are privately funded through donations, not state vouchers or ESAs. Families choosing private education bear most costs, with ACE providing partial assistance for eligible families.