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Bias claimed in scholarship doleouts
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Posted on Dec 21 1998
The policies governing the CNMI scholarship grants need revision to fairly treat students attending the Northern Marianas College, according to school officials.
Such amendments will afford NMC students with the same privileges enjoyed by those who are attending off-island colleges and universities.
In the last Board of Regents meeting, NMC President Agnes McPhetres raised the discrepancy on monetary assistance for students coming from Rota and Tinian who are enrolled at its As Terlaje campus.
She argued that grants for off-island students take into account board and lodging expenses. They receive $5,000 Educational Assistance Grant annually.
NMC students coming from Tinian and Rota are not extended with the same benefit. They only receive $1,500 for EAG. This group will also have to pay for their food and housing while on Saipan, she added.
Other arguments noted the “least priority” factor for NMC recipients. Aside from the reduced amount of the grant money, the local group also feels that they come second in funding priority.
As provided by law, EAG is dependent on the availability of funds. However their counterparts earns the upper-hand since they are issued with checks prior to enrollment, or before funding runs out.
Special Assistant for Education Dan Nielson, who was present during the meeting, told school officials that efforts to correct such inequities are on going. Together with the CNMI Scholarship office, they are currently studying existing laws for possible revisions.
