College students seeking scholarship get boost

The Office of Rep. William S. Torres has pledged to offer extra assistance to locally and nationally-based college students in fresh efforts to help boost their postsecondary careers.

In a letter sent to some 300 students attending colleges here and abroad, Mr. Torres said his office is ready to facilitate the students’ transition from college or trade school to the CNMI workforce.

For the meantime, Mr. Torres said his doors are wide open to accommodate students who may need any assistance toward the completion of their college degrees.

“My office will continue to assist you in your efforts toward successfully completing your studies in your fields of choice,” read Mr. Torres’ letter.

Anxious for their expeditious return to the Commonwealth, the legislator also underscored the need for aspiring professionals to be cognizant of the unique job skill needs, demands and sensitivity to new technologies.

He expressed hopes the students would use their acquired knowledge to help the Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Northern Islands communities take strength from its local workforce.

The former Public School System commissioner is also the proponent of efforts to push for the implementation of a comprehensive manpower development plan in a bid to prepare the local workforce meet the rigorous employment challenges of the new millennium.

Mr. Torres also encouraged students to take advantage of a wide-range of potential financial assistance sources available on the Internet.

“We urge you to avail yourself of these valuable sources for college funds. For they could provide much needed supplements for extracurricular college expenses. And they are accessible for online inquiry. Some may even accept application online,” said Mr. Torres.

He recommended that students browse through websites of U.S. mainland-based financial assistance organizations such as scholarships.com, scholaraid.com, CollegeQuest.com, among others, to get a clearer picture of the types of scholarships available.

He also reminded students of scholarships and assistance programs offered by various community organizations such as the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, the Saipan Rotary Club, the Office of Carolinian Affairs, Society of Professional Engineers, Teachers Association, and other charitable foundations. (MM)