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Govt workers now eligible to get scholarship funds
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Posted on Dec 03 2004
Gov. Juan N. Babauta has signed an emergency regulation allowing full-time public sector employees to avail themselves of scholarship funds from the government.
The emergency regulation, which took effect on Nov. 24, repeals a provision of the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance rules and regulations that prohibit full-time employees of the CNMI government, including those on educational or training leave status, from being eligible for financial assistance from the SHEFA fund.
In a public notice, SHEFA said the amendment had to be adopted on an emergency basis—or upon fewer than the normal 30 days notice—as there was a Dec. 1, 2004 deadline for persons applying for financial assistance for the spring semester of 2005.
“The SHEFA board finds that it is in the interest of the public and those who would like to pursue higher educational opportunities but for their inability to pay for their education that these regulations be approved and adopted immediately,” SHEFA said.
The agency stated that its board has received a number of complaints and questions concerning the eligibility of CNMI government employees who otherwise meet the requirements for assistance.
“The SHEFA board has been advised that persons applying for SHEFA financial assistance cannot be excluded solely on the basis that they are CNMI full-time government employees,” SHEFA said. “The amendment is necessary to eliminate the slightest possibility that such persons may be deterred or prevented from making an application for SHEFA financial assistance out of the mistaken belief that eligibility will be denied for the spring semester of 2005.”
Adopted on an emergency basis, the new SHEFA regulation will remain effective for 120 days.
In the notice, SHEFA said it intends to adopt the new policy permanently. To do so, the agency will need to republish the regulation and open a 30-day public comment period.
The agency is urging the public to submit written comments on the emergency regulation to the Saipan Mayor’s Office.
