Child Care Subsidies & Preschool Scholarships in Hawaiʻi
Help Paying for Child Care & PreschoolSubsidies Available
Hawaiʻi Child Care Subsidies & Preschool Scholarships
Quality early learning may be more affordable than you expect. Hawaiʻi families can explore state child care subsidies, Preschool Open Doors, military fee assistance, and other preschool scholarship or family support programs. The Cole Academy can help you identify a place to start and explain our enrollment steps. The agency offering each program determines eligibility and awards.
2026–27 Preschool Open Doors applications are open. Families with eligible children born August 1, 2021–July 31, 2024 can apply through May 31, 2027, or until funding capacity is reached. Current recipients must apply again for this school year. Check POD details and apply ➔
Find A Program That May Fit Your ʻOhana
Start with the option that sounds most like your family. You may want to explore more than one program; rules about combining assistance depend on the administrators. Each button leads to the program’s own information or application page.
*Eligibility, funding, award amounts, application windows, and approved providers are set by the administering organizations. The Cole Academy cannot promise an award, a particular family payment amount, or approval for every campus. A subsidy or scholarship application is separate from a TCA enrollment inquiry.
PRESCHOOL TUITION HELP
Preschool Open Doors (POD)
Best for
May help with
Tuition at an eligible licensed preschool or listed provider.
Good to know
A parent does not need to be working, in school, or in job training to meet POD’s activity rule. The 2026–27 program covers eligible children born August 1, 2021–July 31, 2024. Awards, provider eligibility, and family costs vary.
Next step: Review current requirements and apply through Hawaiʻi DHS.
WORK, SCHOOL & TRAINING SUPPORT
Hawaiʻi Child Care Subsidy
Best for
Families who need child care while working, attending school, or participating in job training, subject to program rules.
May help with
Eligible care at a DHS-approved provider, including care for younger children.
Good to know
This is a different program from POD. Families generally must meet income and activity requirements. Applications are accepted year-round.
Next step: See the documentation guide and begin the state application.
MILITARY FAMILY SUPPORT
Military & DoD Child Care Fee Assistance
Best for
Eligible military and DoD families exploring community child care assistance.
May help with
A portion of approved child care costs when program and provider requirements are met.
Good to know
Rules and administrators differ by service branch and family status. Start with your branch’s current guidance.
Next step: Select your service branch to learn how to request fee assistance.
FAMILY AND CULTURAL SUPPORT
Keiki O Ka ʻĀina HELP for Child Care
Best for
Families of eligible Native Hawaiian, American Indian, or Alaska Native keiki who meet the program’s other requirement.
May help with
Child care costs for eligible families on covered islands, including Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island.
Good to know
HELP lists employment, school, job training, or active job search among parent requirements. Review its current income, age, residence, and provider criteria directly.
Next step: Check to see if you are covered under one of HELP’s priority populations.
PRESCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Pauahi Foundation Preschool Scholarships
Best for
Families exploring the Pauahi Foundation’s current preschool scholarship programs.
May help with
Tuition at a participating preschool for families who qualify.
Good to know
The Foundation gives preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. The school-year 2027-28 application window is October 1, 2026 through December 1, 2026. Children born in 2022, 2023 or 2024 are eligible in this cycle. Award notifications are made in May 2027.
Next step: Check out which of the two Pauahi Foundation scholarships are the best fit for your family, and follow the instructions on the Pauahi website to complete the application.
Which option should I explore first?
| If this sounds like your family… | Start here |
|---|---|
| “My child may qualify for preschool tuition help, and I may not have a work or school activity.” | Preschool Open Doors |
| “I need care while I work, study, or train.” | Hawaiʻi Child Care Subsidy |
| “My family is military-connected.” | Military fee assistance |
| “My keiki may qualify for Native Hawaiian or other eligible Indigenous family support.” | Keiki O Ka ʻĀina HELP |
| “I want to explore a preschool scholarship.” | Pauahi Foundation preschool scholarships |
| “I am still unsure.” | Ask our enrollment team |
How To Apply For Child Care Assistance
1. Explore programs and check current requirements
Choose a program above and use its official site to check eligibility, provider participation, deadlines, and required documents. For the two state programs, the Hawaiʻi DHS application portal ↗ lets you begin an application for Child Care Subsidy, POD, or both. Applying to The Cole Academy does not submit a government or scholarship application.
2. Ask TCA About Enrollment And Your Preferred Campus
Tell our enrollment team your child’s age, preferred location, and the assistance program you are exploring. We can discuss availability, tuition, and whether the campus can support that program’s provider paperwork. If you complete a TCA enrollment inquiry, you may mention the program in the Comments field; listing it there does not apply for the benefit.
3. Submit The Program Application And Watch For Updates
Upload the documents the administrator requests, save your state application tracking number, and check your online portal, email, and physical mailbox for missing-document requests and award notices. Respond directly to the administrator by its deadline. Ask the program which forms or verification steps it needs from TCA.
4. Share Your Award Details With Your Campus
If approved, give TCA a copy of the award or Notice of Payment promptly so campus staff can review the approved schedule, dates, and payment terms. The TCA subsidy flyer describes DHS 918 as enrollment/attendance verification and DHS 922 as the award/Notice of Payment for applicable state funding; ask the administrator and campus which current forms are required for your case. Military fee assistance may require monthly attendance verification. POD can require child development assessments completed by school staff.
5. Keep Funding On Track
Continue checking program messages, provide attendance or renewal information when requested, and tell both the administrator and The Cole Academy about changes to care or family circumstances. For program questions, contact the administrator; for campus records and enrollment questions, contact The Cole Academy.
questions families often ask
Frequentyly Asked Questions
Can a subsidy cover all of my tuition?
The amount depends on the program, your award, approved care, tuition, and any family share. Some families may have little out-of-pocket tuition; others will owe a balance. We can review your award and TCA tuition with you, but we cannot estimate or guarantee a $0 cost before the program makes its decision.
Is Preschool Open Doors the same as Child Care Subsidy?
No. POD supports eligible preschool education and does not require a parent work or school activity. The state Child Care Subsidy generally requires an eligible care need tied to work, school, or training, as well as income eligibility. The state portal allows an application for either program or both.
What should I prepare before applying?
The required items depend on the program and family situation. State applications may request identity and child information, income and activity documents, and care details. Use the DHS documentation guide ↗ or the relevant administrator’s checklist before submitting.
Can I use military assistance or a scholarship at any Cole Academy campus?
Do I have to apply to The Cole Academy before I apply for a subsidy?
You can explore and start outside assistance applications while discussing TCA enrollment. Contact us early so we can discuss a possible placement and any provider information needed. A TCA inquiry never replaces the administrator’s application.
TAX AND EMPLOYER RESOURCEs
More Ways To Manage Child Care Costs
These resources are different from a tuition subsidy. Your employer may offer dependent care benefits, and eligible families may qualify for federal tax credits. Ask your HR team about dependent care benefits; review the IRS Child and Dependent Care Credit ↗ and Earned Income Tax Credit ↗. Tax treatment depends on your circumstances, and the same expenses may not be usable for multiple tax benefits.
ENROLLMENT HELP
Let Us Help You Take The Next Step
Not sure where to start? Our enrollment team can help you identify programs worth exploring, discuss TCA locations and availability, and explain what school information an administrator may need. The program administrator makes the eligibility and award decision.
Students
Hawaii Campuses
Faculty
Established
Request a Tour
For help with the form below, please call or text the enrollment line at 808-469-8900, or email tca.enrollment@gmail.com.
Use the form below to request a tour:
Loading tour form…