SHEFA issues $587K for spring scholars

Close to 600 checks amounting to $587,700 in total awards for scholars of the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance program were disbursed yesterday.

SHEFA board chair Jose Mafnas disclosed this to Saipan Tribune yesterday, saying the funds were approved for release by the Department of Finance on Friday pending verification by the SHEFA office.

A SHEFA staff confirmed that 596 checks were issued yesterday for spring 2011 scholars. The $587,700 award covers 320 checks for grant-in-aid recipients; 135 checks for field of study awards; and 141 checks for incentive scholars.

Mafnas said that SHEFA reviewed and verified all the checks prior to releasing them yesterday to ensure that all recipients comply with requirements.

He said these checks were part of SHEFA checks that have been pending at the Finance Department since April 14.

As of yesterday, Mafnas said that awards worth over $300,000 remain pending at Finance, covering some scholars for fall 2012.

Mafnas expressed relief yesterday that many scholars will now be able to pay for their dues and enroll for the next semester. He appealed to other parents and students for their continued patience and understanding as the government continues to grapple with declining poker revenues. SHEFA funds are sourced from poker license fees and taxes. He said that Finance is doing its best to fulfill its obligation to all scholars.

Prior to this release, SHEFA was bombarded with calls from outraged parents and students due to the lengthy delay in the issuance of the checks.

The Legislature provides SHEFA an annual appropriation of $3 million for its scholarship programs.

In the fall 2010 semester, SHEFA disbursed $2.3 million in total financial assistance to scholars. This left the program with only $906,900 for spring 2011 scholars.

Saipan Tribune learned that Finance has already disbursed $770,500 for spring 2011 scholars while $136,400 remains pending.

Mafnas hopes the last batch of pending checks for the spring scholars would be out soon.

Because of the continued decline in poker revenues, Mafnas said yesterday that two scholarship programs—the field of study and the incentive programs—may be suspended next semester.

“Due to anticipated lack of funding from poker collections, we may have to suspend two of the three programs we offer: the field of study and incentive programs. Besides the possible suspension, the board may also look at reducing the amount of awards for grant-in-aid,” said Mafnas, pointing out that the program’s priority are the undergraduates.

Both field of study and the incentive programs provide grants ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 per scholar each semester.

The board’s decision on the matter is expected at its next meetings.

Meantime, SHEFA accepted a total of 176 scholarship applicants for the fall 2012 semester, which will start in August. Application deadline is July 1, while supporting documents and records are due on Sept. 30.

Despite the delays in the disbursement of checks and the significant reduction in awards, SHEFA expects a big increase in the number of new semester applicants because of the bad economy.