Scholarship board OKs ‘full-time’ status for 11 students

The Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance board has approved the applications for financial assistance of 11 students matriculated in the Master of Education Degree Program in Instructional Education of Framingham State College.

The decision was made in a special meeting held on Dec. 17. According to chairperson Felicidad T. Ogumoro, the students who provided the documents required by the board will receive their awards immediately after SHEFA receives the check from the Department of Finance.

In their meeting on Dec. 5 this year, SHEFA board members voted that students be asked to submit their registration forms for the 12-credit-hour courses they are taking for Fall Semester 2005 from Framingham State College, and that immediately upon receipt of the required documents the Awards Committee will process their application for approval by the full board.

On Oct. 22, 2005, SHEFA denied the applications received from students attending Framingham State College because they were not considered “full-time” as per SHEFA’s application rules and regulations.

Through the Appeals Committee, SHEFA was informed by Framingham associate director Joyce M. Fahey in her letter of Oct. 27, 2005, that “students enrolled in l2 semester hours or more of course work during a semester are considered full-time status.” Fahey further noted that the Spring Semester on campus generally runs from mid-January through early June, and the Fall Semester runs from early September through late December.”

Unlike traditional educational institutions, like NMC, candidates of the Master Degree in general education—as offered by Framingham State College—register for classes a week or two before actual classes begin. Additionally, two sessions are offered throughout the semesters with a month or two separating the sessions. This has resulted in the students’ inability to furnish official documents proving that they are registered “full-time status” per semester.

Mayor Juan B. Tudela said he is pleased with the board’s positive action to resolve this issue once and for all.

SHEFA was established under the Saipan Mayor’s Office in 2004 by Saipan Local Law l3-2l. The law requires the mayor to appoint members to the board and he serves as an ex-officio member. The mayor is not involved either in the day-to-day decision-making or its daily operations. (PR)