UH community colleges extending application deadline

The University of Hawaii Community Colleges have extended the application deadline for the spring 2021 semester to Dec. 29, UH announced Tuesday.

UH has seven community colleges statewide: UH Maui College, Hawaii CC, Honolulu CC, Kapiolani CC, Kauai CC, Leeward CC and Windward CC.

The spring semester starts Jan. 11, with classes primarily taught online except for courses and activities where in-person instruction is necessary, such as labs and shops. Appropriate physical distancing, facial coverings and sanitization protocols, per the UH COVID19 guidelines, are strictly followed. UH said that reported positive cases of COVID-19 on community college campuses have been extremely low.

Back in April, a UHMC employee tested positive for the virus, though classes had already been moved online and the case did not lead to an outbreak among Maui students.

“It is not too late to consider starting 2021 in college, headed toward a degree or professional certificate,” UH Vice President for Community Colleges Erika Lacro said in a news release Tuesday. “It does not matter whether you never attended or are coming back after years away. All of the data shows that people who earn a college degree or certificate earn more money over their lifetimes, are less likely to become unemployed, live longer and healthier, and their children are more likely to pursue a higher education and experience these same benefits.”

Financial aid is available, along with the Hawaii Promise Scholarship, which meets 100 percent of unmet tuition needs for qualified students. For more information, visit uhcc. hawaii.edu/ovpcc/removingcost/promise.

Other financial aid is accessible through the Kulia Scholarship for qualified residents whose employment has been impacted by COVID-19 and through Round Two, Stronger You, a campaign encouraging former UH students to return and complete their degrees.

For information on the two programs, visit uhcc.hawaii .edu/kulia/ or uhcc.hawaii.edu/ round2/.

According to the news release, UH leadership is optimistic about the fall 2021 semester and a gradual return to normal with a greater mix of in-person, hybrid and online instruction.

For more information on applying, visit apply.hawaii.edu.