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‘Delay in SHEFA checks due to lack of MOA’
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Posted on Oct 25 2005
The students who had complained about not getting their scholarship checks from the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance failed to get their checks on time as they have not completed the submission of some documents, according to an official of the CNMI Scholarship Office.
CNMI Scholarship Office board chair Margarita Tudela told the Saipan Tribune yesterday that the scholarship checks for the eight students have been prepared a long time ago but had not been released as the eight students have not submitted their signed Memorandum of Agreement.
Scholars are required to sign a memorandum of agreement with the CNMI Scholarship Office, requiring them to return to work in the CNMI within three months after the completion of their postsecondary education.
“In recognition of the scarcity of trained manpower in the Commonwealth, all recipients of grants and/or incentives are required to return to the CNMI within three months after completion of his/her degree plan or non-enrollment from school and work in the CNMI public or private sector for a period of one year for each year of financial assistance received, unless otherwise specified by law,” the MOA reads in part.
Tudela said she conferred with the Scholarship Office and found out that the reason for the delay. She said the Scholarship Office would not release the checks until the students have signed the MOA.
The eight students are currently enrolled at the Northern Marianas College under the masters program of Framingham State College.
She said the checks have always been in the office just waiting for the complete documents the students are required to fill out and submit to the Scholarship Office on Capitol Hill.
The students had written to Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance consultant William S. Torres on Monday, questioning the delay in the release of the checks.
