Previous Story
SHEFA rules amended to include trade schools students
The rules and regulations that will allow the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance program to offer financial aid to trade school students have been finalized and are now awaiting official approval.
SHEFA board member Juan K. Tenorio recommended on Oct. 16, 2014, a motion to move for the adoption of the rules and regulations for trade school financial assistance. This was seconded by SHEFA board member John Pialur.
SHEFA administrator Merissa S. Rasa was told to insert a section for trade school/vocational school eligibility after the recommendation was approved on Oct. 16, 2014.
Rasa told board members last Thursday that she has already done that.
“I have done what was recommended and we are waiting on it to be signed by [SHEFA board chair] Josephine T. Sablan and after that we will submit it to the Attorney General’s Office,” Rasa said.
This new policy would specifically cater to vocational and trade institute students so they can apply and be eligible for the program’s financial assistance.
The primary beneficiaries of this change are students of the Northern Marianas Technical Institute.
SHEFA rules and regulations previously did not include coverage for trade school students.
Among the recommendations of the SHEFA board for inclusion in the rule and regulations are:
- Award amount for NMTI to be $600 per term.
- Terms to receive financial assistance if eligible are fall and spring semesters.
- Deadline for supporting documents is Sept. 30 for the fall term and Feb. 28 for the spring term.
- Pass a letter grade system with a 2.0 cumulative GPA on a grade point system or 70 percent on a number grade system effective next year spring 2015.
- Award amount will vary each year depending on SHEFA funding availability, field priorities and total number of trade school applicants and workforce demand.
