CNMI scholarships up for grabs
College students wishing to obtain financial assistance for the academic year 2001-02 are encouraged to submit application to the CNMI Scholarship Office at the Joeten Dandan building.
The application may be picked up from the office or be downloaded in the Internet by logging on to www.cnmischolarship.com, according to a media statement from the Scholarship Office.
The renewal application for on-going recipients has been sent out. In addition, the office has scheduled presentation for all the high schools in the Commonwealth.
Public Law 7-32 Scholarship is awarded to students with the highest scholastic achievement from each island. The selection is made from the top two students from the islands of Tinian and Rota, four from the island of Saipan and two from off-island.
Application and all supporting documents must be received no later than June 30. Documents needed to be submitted are: application form, official transcript, acceptance letter into the institution, two years proof of residency (1999 & 2000 copy of 1040 tax form), among others.
The Teacher Scholarship is awarded to junior and seniors college students in the field of teaching including Early Childhood Development and Special Education. They must be admitted into an accredited teaching program of their institution, in addition to meeting policy set criteria.
Freshmen and sophomores may be eligible for an Incentive, in addition to the grant.
Meanwhile, the Educational Assistance Program is awarded to all other students enrolled in an accredited institution pursuing a certificate, associate degree and baccalaureate degree who meet criteria as stated in the policy.
Students in the graduate or higher programs are also awarded grants. Students majoring in the field of Nursing and Accounting may be eligible for an incentive in addition to the Grant.
Application must be received or postmarked no later than July 1. Supporting documents may be turned in at a later date.
The government last year explored the possibility of providing local college students with an alternative education financing program that would allow them to secure guaranteed bank loans to fund school expenses.
This proposal cropped up in light of recent findings that the existing scholarship system has been “extremely inefficient and overly generous.”
Under the proposed program, students will pay their educational loans once they finished schooling and are already employed. The program is similar to the financial assistance extended by various American states to their college or university students.
A financial aid board that will oversee the program is also expected to be established under the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Finance. The board will review financial records, as well as process checks.
