College and Adult Child Support in Hawaii: Post-Secondary and Disabled Children

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Hawaii child support can cover college: the court may order it for an adult child enrolled full-time at an accredited school or a vocational school, generally before or at 23. The court can also order support for an incompetent or disabled child after majority.

Does child support cover college in Hawaii?

Yes, it can. The court, agency or hearings officer may order support for adult children enrolled full-time, or accepted and planning to attend full-time, at an accredited school, community college, college or university to obtain an undergraduate or combined degree, or a vocational or trade school. The amount is the worksheet amount unless exceptional circumstances apply, and the court may consider both parents’ incomes and resources and the adult child’s reasonable expenses, income and resources in deciding whether to deviate (Guidelines, section III.A.2).

Does Hawaii child support cover graduate school?

The Guidelines say the exclusion of adult children in post-graduate programs does not apply retroactively to orders issued before the effective date of the 2024 Guidelines, so the exclusion applies to newer orders (footnote 20). Check your order’s date and ask an attorney.

Is there child support for a disabled adult child in Hawaii?

Yes. Before or after an incompetent or disabled child reaches majority the court may establish, modify and enforce support, maintenance and education, whether or not the child is in high school or enrolled in school. The agency and the hearings office can establish, modify and enforce an order only before majority; after majority they may only modify or enforce an existing order (HRS 580-47(a)).

How do benefits for a disabled child count?

Social Security benefits received for the minor children because of the children’s own disability, such as SSI, are not credited against either parent’s obligation and are not gross income to either parent. Dependency benefits paid because of a parent’s retirement or disability are included in that parent’s income and can be credited against the obligation for the period they were paid (Guidelines, section III.B).

What does the agency do about an adult child order?

The agency can enforce an order for an adult child only if the adult child has continuously been enrolled in full-time post-high school education (Guidelines, section III.A.2.d, citing HAR 5-31-43). If your child pauses school, tell the agency and the court and ask what the order requires.

What are the key dates for a given birth date?

The age 23 point is a general guide, decided case by case.

What should a parent of a student do?

1. Watch for the agency’s notice about three months before the 19th birthday.
2. Send proof of full-time enrollment, or of acceptance and plans to attend, before that birthday.
3. Keep proof of continuous full-time enrollment, because the agency enforces only while the child has been continuously enrolled.
4. Ask the court to modify if costs or circumstances change.

What about unpaid support from before the end?

It stays owed: see how long Hawaii arrears last and the Hawaii child support end date calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

• HRS 580-47(a): support for adult and minor children
• Hawaii Child Support Guidelines (Judiciary), section III.A: adult children
• HRS 576D-13: licenses
• HRS 576D-14: income withholding

This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Hawaii statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Hawaii attorney.