What's the fuss? EAG is a drop in the bucket
The government spends only around one percent of the total scholarship grant for students attending the 2+2 program, and its temporary suspension is causing some eyebrows to raise.
According to Dr. John Angello, the director of the Continuing and Technical Education of the Northern Marianas College, about 100 high school students enrolled in 2+2 courses each semester. Each student averages $400 in Educational Assistance Grant per semester to pay for their courses.
“This is like only 1 percent of the total grant money outlay,” he said. “…it is not much of a dent in this gigantic program for off-island students.”
He heard from key officials that students going off-island were appropriated around $4 million of local scholarship money and outside schools benefit from this huge amount, while the minimal funding his program is seeking from CNMI Scholarship Office goes back to the local system.
The eligibility issue of high school students to be recipients of the grant for post secondary education is also unbelievable, he said.
This joint program between NMC and the Public School System allows high school students to enroll in college courses and earn credits for both academic level.
Aside from earning both credits, students are exposed to college life and has encouraged a number of them to pursue post secondary education.
The program also prepares students who are not aiming for college but intends to work after high school. The component on vocational education creates a base of local students who are interested in post-secondary work, he added.
“I think it is critical for the government leaders to identify their priorities on who will get this grant money. I find it baffling ….What we are asking for is to make us a priority and not like a liability,” he said.
