Tinian student gets 4-year full scholarship

Regina C. Palacios, a student from Tinian High School, will be receiving a full scholarship to Western Oregon University for four years, where she will be seeking an undergraduate degree in Business Administration.

Ms. Palacios is the daughter of Pedro Hofschneider Palacios and Bernadita Cruz Palacios. She graduated salutatorian from Tinian High School in May 2000.

Tinian Municipal Scholarship Board chairman Janet King was instrumental in administering the scholarship on behalf of Telesource. “The people of Tinian are grateful to Telesource for providing the opportunity for one student each year for the next 12 years to receive full funding as part of their commitment to our community,” she said in a press statement.

As salutatorian of her graduating class at Tinian High School, Palacios was eligible to receive funding from the CNMI Scholarship (P.L. 7-32), which provides for scholarships of no more than $15,000 a year for CNMI students graduating in the top two of their high school class.

Instead, Ms. Palacios opted for the Telesource scholarship. “Scholarships offered through the CNMI government is restricted to a certain amount of funds that does not allow many students to choose the best college/university,” she said.

“When I met with several of the lawmakers last summer, some of them have college education and degrees. Therefore, they should know how much exactly a student studying abroad needs,” she added.

The Telesource scholarship provides full coverage of all tuition and fees, along with a monthly stipend and a round trip ticket to Tinian once a year.

“We have to continually remind lawmakers that it takes more than $15,000 a year to spend on college costs, and if a private company can make that commitment, the CNMI government should match it,” said Ms. King.

According to Ms. King, the average cost for college, including tuition, room and board, books and fees, is about $21,400 a year, and drops to about $10,100 when only publicly owned colleges and universities are considered.

At Western Oregon University, a public university located in Monmouth, Oregon, the average estimated cost of education for a full-time undergraduate student for the 2000-2001 academic year is $18,972.00.

For students from Tinian, they have the added benefit of the local scholarship program, which seeks to provide a small portion of funds from cattle slaughter fees and donations for students seeking their undergraduate or graduate degrees.

Currently there are approximately 127 students receiving financial assistance from the Tinian Municipal Scholarship program.

The Tinian Municipal Scholarship program was established under Public Law 5-2 to provide financial assistance to students from the Municipality of Tinian & Aguiguan pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees at accredited US institutions in and outside the Commonwealth.

Recipients must agree to return to Tinian and find employment in the government or private sector for not less than three years immediately after graduation.