New scholarships for low-income students who graduate from Hawai'i public schools were approved by the University of Hawai'i Board of Regents yesterday in a move that may help defray the cost of college for 150 to 200 students this year.

State lawmakers this year set aside $1.5 million for this year and next year for the B Plus Scholarship Program, which would be open to students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches under state Department of Education guidelines.

To qualify for the scholarships, students would also need a 3.0 grade-point average or better, and would have to attend a campus within the UH system.

The regents yesterday adopted a policy that would make the scholarships available to students who graduate after 2005.

Doris Ching, vice president for student affairs, said the scholarships will be designed to bridge the gap between what the students must pay to attend college, and the federal student aid that is available to them.

Ching estimated that 300 new Hawai'i public school graduates with the required grade-point average apply to the UH system each year.

"I think this is a great start," said Regent Ronald Migita. "It fills a need that is out there in the community."

Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com.