Notice of adoption of new scholarship regs

The CNMI Scholarship Advisory Board has altered the amendments earlier made to the Educational Assistance Program and approved changes including provisions to allow new Educational Assistance Program applicants from Tinian and Rota a waiver from the requirement of attendance at the Northern Marianas College, increase the current cumulative grade point average requirement, and extend the award duration. The newly enacted changes to the Educational Assistance Program will affect both current and incoming applicants.

1. Requirement of attendance at the Northern Marianas College
Beginning with the fall 2012 semester, all new applicants will only receive financial assistance if they are either enrolled at NMC or if they are enrolled at another accredited institution and have already obtained an associate’s degree. The requirement of attendance at NMC will only apply to those new applicants on Saipan. New applicants from islands other than Saipan are exempt from this requirement until such time that NMC is equipped to offer onsite instruction on those islands and/or full-fledged online programs. Any applicant may request a waiver from this requirement, which the board may grant on a case-by-case basis upon showing of good cause and in accordance with its written policy and guidelines. Interested applicants will be notified of the good cause waiver policy and process.

2. Removes scholarship assistance for participants in NMC’s Early Admissions Program
High School applicants under NMC’s Early Admissions Program will not receive scholarship assistance until the High School graduation requirement is met.

3. Increase the minimum CGPA for satisfactory academic progress from 2.25 to 2.75
Ongoing recipients will be given until the end of the spring 2013 semester to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 and above or risk denial from the program for that one semester. Recipients who lose the award when the CGPA falls below 2.75 may be reinstated if their CGPA goes up to 2.75.

4. Authorizes the Scholarship Advisory Board, in its discretion, to extend the duration of an award.
Ongoing full-time recipients pursuing an associate’s degree are given two and half academic years’ worth of awards. Full-time recipients pursuing a Bachelor’s degree are allowed four and a half academic years’ worth of awards. These established duration periods may be extended upon a showing of good cause (i.e. certified disabilities, documented injury or illness, emergency situation, intensive dual degree programs, and other academic circumstances beyond the student’s control).

Note that these rules and regulations have been adopted by the Scholarship Advisory Board and published in the Commonwealth Register. CNMI Scholarship new applicants and ongoing recipients will be notified and the information will be posted and disseminated accordingly.

Questions about the Educational Assistance Program could be directed to the CNMI Scholarship Office at 664-4750 or to the board via email cnmisab@cnmischolarship.com. For more information the CNMI Scholarship program, go to www.cnmischolarship.com. [B][I](Office of the Governor)[/I][/B]