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Alpino fails to secure student loan, might stop studies abroad
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Posted on Nov 14 2011
By Moneth Deposa
Reporter
Reporter
Former Rota High School valedictorian Katelyn Alpino may have to drop out from her pre-medicine studies at Philadelphia University after failing to secure student loans, according to her father Arthur.
Katelyn was denied financial assistance by the NMI Scholarship Office after ruling that the student was not able to reach the grade point average requirement.
This came as a surprise to the Alpino family which expected their daughter to avail of the local scholarship grant, considering she finished her high school studies on top of her class.
Mr. Alpino appealed to the scholarship board to recalculate her daughter’s high school grade.
However, since last week no decision has been issued, prompting Mr. Alpino to send a follow-up letter to NMI Scholarship Office board chair Kodep Uludong, who then promised to render a decision this week.
“I’ve would like to inform you that my daughter might go home due to the fact that the scholarship issue has not been solved yet. Second semester enrollment is now ongoing and her school informed her of settlement of her accounts. Personal loans have been made to avert the situation but we were not approved because of our status. We were not lucky to find any co-signor/co-maker for her loan besides the loan that we have already taken,” Mr. Alpino told the board chairman in his letter Saturday.
He also appealed that the board rule in favor of Katelyn so she could continue her dream of becoming a doctor.
Mr. Alpino also said her daughter has been affected by the situation. “Please, I’m begging you to let us know the outcome. My daughter is always crying and depressed about the situation. She doesn’t know what to do and it’s only your decision that will ease and solve this problem.”
Katelyn was denied of the Honor Scholarship awards for this semester after apparently obtaining a lower grade based on the scholarship office’s calculation.
Her family filed a grievance to the Public School System, asking for recalculation of her grades. PSS affirmed the correct calculation of Alpino’s grade when she was chosen valedictorian of her class.
Because of PSS’ decision, the Alpino family then turned to the NMI Scholarship Office and officially appealed the student’s case.
