Furthering our education is a choice, a privilege, and therefore our responsibility

As a previous undergraduate and currently a graduate student, SHEFA and CNMI Scholarship have helped tremendously in funding my education. With the recent cuts in awards, I had to refocus my financial means to consider these changes, and not once did I verbally nor in writing complain or attack SHEFA regarding their decision to reduce funding. Not once did I “cry” or “whine” over my rent, gas, tuition, or whatsoever because it was my choice, my decision, and mine alone to pursue a higher education. I strongly believe and we all should be grateful for any assistance these two scholarship agencies are able to provide us as students. They are neither responsible nor obligated in concept to support us in furthering our education. I currently live in the State of Washington, pay rent, bills, student loans, etc, so yes, I do have the prior experience of expenses in the mainland, and with that, yes, I still believe it is my full responsibility to pay for my education.

I don’t understand why students and especially parents are getting personally outraged by the cuts in scholarships. As a college student, we should know how to “research” other options for financial assistance. Researching is the one main tool we use constantly as students; so come on, make use of that tool and look into other options to help financially pursue and complete your education. A college education is an investment, it’s a challenge, and to some degree, a risk. There are many scholarships available for those who reside in the mainland as well as those on the island; you’ve just got to do the work to find them. We succeed by working hard and pushing forward, not by sitting around and waiting for that check to be disbursed.

I am certain that I will have many unsupportive fans of this letter. However, as you find yourself disagreeing with what I say, ask yourself whose decision was it to go to college and who should be held responsible for that decision? As adults, we are liable and held responsible for the decisions we make. Similarly, we pay for the power we use, the food we consume, and so on as obligated for ourselves, so why would we expect differently for the education we choose to pursue as an option?

Please understand that I write this letter as a reminder to all students and parents that the decisions and choices we make as adults and students are ours and ours alone and we should not point fingers at others when we fail to achieve and complete and face a challenge we’re unsure we have the capacity to overcome. This letter is not intended to attack or offend the opposite view. We are all entitled to our personal opinions, and this is mine!