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Tuition and Fees

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When you choose to earn your online degree with Hawai‘i Pacific University, you’re investing in your future. We’re here to help ensure you get the maximum return on your investment—with top-tier education and personal support to help you find a rewarding career where you can start strong and keep growing.
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Coming July 2026: Significant changes regarding federal aid are going into effect for the 2026-27 academic year. Find more information on these changes at the bottom of this page.
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Fees

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  • Application fee: $45
  • Deposit fee: $200*

*This fee goes toward your account upon successful enrollment. Note that this fee may be refundable for a limited period, depending on your academic program.

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Tuition

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The cost of attendance may vary depending on the credential you choose and the duration of the academic program. All rates listed below are based on tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year and are subject to change.

Please note that tuition rates don’t include books or university fees.

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Nursing Programs

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Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN):

  • 45-48 total credit hours depending on specialization
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP, 45 total credit hours): $1,156 per credit hour/$52,020 total
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP, 48 total credit hours): $1,156 per credit hour/$55,488 total
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP, 46 total credit hours): $1,156 per credit hour/$53,176 total
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Online Post-Master's Certificates in Nursing:

  • 24-27 total credit hours depending on specialization
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP, 24 total credit hours): $1,156 per credit hour/$27,744 total
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP, 27 total credit hours): $1,156 per credit hour/$31,212 total
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP, 25 total credit hours): $1,156 per credit hour/$28,900 total
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Online BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-DNP):

  • 72-75 total credit hours depending on specialization
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP, 72 total credit hours): $1,156 per credit hour/$83,232 total
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP, 75 total credit hours): $1,156 per credit hour/$86,700 total
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP, 73 total credit hours): $1,156 per credit hour/$84,388 total
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Online MSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN-DNP):

  • 30 total credit hours
  • $1,156 per credit hour/$34,680 total
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Federal financial aid regulations are changing in July 2026

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Due to recent legislation regarding federal financial aid, major updates will take effect for the 2026-27 academic year.

You can get full information on our What’s New page. Here’s a breakdown of the key changes that may affect HPU nursing students.

  • Grad PLUS loans will no longer be available for new borrowers. However, students who began their programs before this date may retain some eligibility while completing their studies.
  • A new distinction between graduate and professional students is being introduced. Nursing programs are classified as graduate, not professional.
  • Loan limits are redefined. Graduate-level loans under the Direct Loan Program will have an annual cap of $20,500 and a lifetime cap of $100,000. Professional students will qualify for higher loan limits.

These new regulations will affect part-time students starting or continuing their education after July 1, 2026, and full-time students who enroll after that date. Full-time students enrolled before July 1, 2026, are not expected to be impacted.

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Frequently asked questions about the upcoming changes to federal financial aid

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What is changing for graduate student financial aid borrowing, in plain English?
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Starting July 1, 2026, the federal government will introduce new yearly and lifetime limits on Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans for graduate and professional students.

Additionally, federal Grad PLUS loans will no longer be available for graduate students. Some current borrowers may keep their Grad PLUS loans under special rules, such as students enrolled full time who borrow before the new regulations are enacted.

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What is the difference between a “graduate student” and a “professional student” under the new rules?
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The new rules set different loan limits depending on your program. Graduate students earn a standard graduate degree, while professional students earn a "professional degree" based on a specific federal definition. The government is still finalizing these categories, but programs categorized as professional are likely to involve more training or additional licensure. Nursing programs qualify as graduate, not professional.

Under the new regulations, graduate students will have lower yearly and annual loan limits compared with professional students:

  • Graduate annual: $20,500
  • Graduate lifetime: $100,000
  • Professional annual: $50,000
  • Professional lifetime: $200,000
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How do I know if my program counts as “professional” for the higher loan limits?
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Nursing programs qualify as graduate, not professional, under the new regulations. We recommend asking your advisor or the financial aid office if you’d like further information or if you have questions about other programs.
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What happens if I borrow as a grad student and later enroll in a professional program (or vice versa)?
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Your total limit adjusts based on your past borrowing. For example, if you borrow $60,000 as a standard graduate student and later enroll in a professional program, your remaining professional limit drops to $140,000 ($200,000 minus $60,000).
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Are federal Grad PLUS loans going away for graduate students?
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Yes. For terms starting on or after July 1, 2026, you cannot get a Federal Direct PLUS Loan for graduate or professional studies unless your program falls under specific grandfathering rules.
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If I already borrowed a Grad PLUS loan before July 1, 2026, can I keep using it?
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If you had a Grad PLUS loan before July 1, 2026, you can likely keep using it for up to three more years or until you finish your current program, whichever comes first. You must stay in the same program of study to keep this benefit.
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If I used a Grad PLUS loan for a previous degree, does that qualify me for a new Grad PLUS loan after July 1, 2026?
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No. If you start a brand-new program after July 1, 2026, you cannot use Grad PLUS loans to pay for it.
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What is the new absolute lifetime maximum for all federal student loans?
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Starting July 1, 2026, the absolute maximum you can borrow across all federal student loans combined is $257,500. Paying down your loans does not reset or refresh this limit.

Note that this cap doesn’t take Parent PLUS loans you borrowed for your children into consideration.

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What repayment plans will be available for new borrowers after these changes?
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The government is moving toward two main options for new loans: A new Standard Repayment plan and the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).
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What is the new Standard Repayment timeline?
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Your repayment timeline will depend on your total outstanding loan balance:

  • Under $25,000: 10 years
  • $25,000 to under $50,000: 15 years
  • $50,000 to under $100,000: 20 years
  • $100,000 or more: 25 years
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What is the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)?
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The RAP is a new income-based repayment option. The government is still finalizing the exact payment formulas, but information will be available by July 1, 2026.
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If I am pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), will RAP payments count?
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Yes. Payments made under the new RAP option will count toward PSLF as long as you meet all other forgiveness requirements. Check with your loan servicer to confirm.
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What if my tuition and living costs are higher than the new federal limits?
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If federal loans do not cover your full expenses, you will need to explore other funding sources. These might include institutional scholarships, employer tuition assistance, personal savings, or private loans. Private loans have different rules and protections than federal loans. If you need help finding a private lender, contact our financial aid office. You can also use available tools like FastChoice.
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Where should I go for the most current official updates?
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Check studentaid.gov for official updates from the U.S. Department of Education. If you have specific questions about your degree and loan limits, contact the financial aid office directly.