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SHEFA applicants for fall 2015 at 980
»Release of first batch of checks eyed Aug. 10
The Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance program received a total of 980 applications for this year’s fall semester, according to SHEFA administrator Merissa S. Rasa.
A total of 280 applicants are new, while 700 are still ongoing or returning applications. Of the 980 applications, 77 have been approved, 13 have been denied, and 890 are still pending.
In spring semester 2015, there were 1,038 valid applications. The turnout for this coming semester is a little less.
“This week we just finished inputting all applications into our system and will continue prioritizing application reviews and check requests for submissions for processing,” Rasa said Thursday morning in her presentation to the SHEFA board at the Saipan Mayor’s Office conference room.
She explained that 13 applicants were denied because they didn’t meet the acquired GPA of 2.5 or have repeated a course that SHEFA had already paid for in the spring semester.
She noted that they are scheduled to submit last Friday “more or less about a 150” check requests to the Department of Finance to be processed for the first batch.
“DOF have been very good at getting our checks out on a timely manner and most of the time we get the checks out earlier so I am hoping that we get our first batch out,” she said.
Rasa hopes to have the first batch of checks out by Aug. 10 and will be conducting first check requests every Friday for updates.
Rasa said that they are no longer accepting applications for fall 2015 and wants to remind applicants that their supporting documents deadline is in September. Students who turn in their supporting documents will be reviewed early.
Meanwhile, Rasa also noted that the SHEFA website has been upgraded and will now include basic features that allows students to apply online, change their information, and view their application status for a more user-friendly experience. The upgraded website will also have sections specifically for awards, compliance, employment, or collection.
As of now, SHEFA has collected a total of $74,550, which is up from the $70,000 reported during their July 2 meeting.
