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NMC to receive $350 K for EAG
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Posted on Feb 09 1999
The Northern Marianas College will settle for a $350,000 appropriation on educational assistant grant that will cover its qualified students for the rest of the school year.
Both Finance Committee Chairman Ramon Villagomez and Special Education Advisor Dan Nielsen made this report yesterday during NMC’s Board of Regents meeting.
In addition, the Department of Finance is also ready to hand in NMC the balance of over $100,000 on educational assistance grants for the fall semester.
“I cannot foresee any funds available (after this appropriation),” Nielsen said, emphasizing that there is cash-flow problem in the government.
Earlier, NMC was seeking $575,000 funding for EAG for its more than 500 students currently enrolled. In response, the Saipan Delegation appropriated $488,000 to help boost the local financial aid program.
According to Villagomez, the Governor’s Office advised the legislature to draft a bill instead of a resolution in appropriating this money for NMC. After he drafted the bill, the legislature was again informed by the Governor’s Office that money was not available.
“Rep. Hofschneider thought that there was already money,” he told the Board.
But last Friday, he learned that $350,000 was identified for NMC which is reportedly coming from the poker fees.
With this reduced amount for EAG, NMC officials foresee one payless payday as its possible impact on its current budget.
Nielsen informed the Board that “scholarships” and grants will be suspended this summer. The public can also expect an overhaul on the local scholarship program that will take effect in June this year.
