The Hawaii House Committee on Higher Education & Technology held a public hearing on February 7, 2025, focusing on House Bill 542, which aims to expand the Hawaii Promise program to support more students in higher education. The meeting featured discussions on the program's impact, eligibility criteria, and potential costs.

Key discussions centered around the current data on students benefiting from the Hawaii Promise program, particularly those attending community colleges. Representatives inquired about the demographics of these students, including their financial needs and independence status. It was noted that while the program covers direct costs like tuition, there are concerns about indirect costs that students face, which may not be fully addressed.

The committee also explored the potential benefits of expanding the program to four-year universities. Current statistics indicate that only about 10% of Hawaii Promise students transfer to four-year institutions. However, there is optimism that expanding the program could increase this number significantly. The University of Hawaii representatives acknowledged the challenge of quantifying how many students might be lost without such an expansion, but they emphasized the positive outcomes for those who do participate.

Further discussions included the need for data on graduation rates among students in last-dollar programs. While the university has conducted studies on the return on investment for degrees, specific correlations between participation in the Hawaii Promise program and graduation rates were less clear. The committee expressed interest in obtaining more detailed reports on these metrics.

The estimated cost for fully expanding the Hawaii Promise program to include four-year campuses is approximately $12 million. The committee members discussed the implications of narrowing the eligibility criteria, which could reduce the number of students served but also lower costs.

As the meeting concluded, the committee moved on to discuss House Bill 840, which pertains to funding for the athletic departments of the University of Hawaii. The discussions highlighted the ongoing efforts to enhance educational opportunities for students in Hawaii and the importance of financial support in achieving these goals.