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Rota scholarship program remains on hold indefinitely
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Posted on May 02 2022
The Rota Municipal Scholarship and Housing Program remains on hold indefinitely due to a change in the CNMI’s financial management system, even as many students are still awaiting financial aid.
According to a letter from Sen. Teresita Santos (Ind-Rota) addressed to Finance Secretary David Atalig, she informed the CNMI Department of Finance that the Rota Municipal Scholarship and Housing Program remains suspended indefinitely due to a change in the CNMI’s financial management system.
“I recently met with Ivan T. Mereb Jr., Rota Municipal Scholarship Board chairman, and was advised that our municipal scholarship and housing program has been on an indefinite hold because they are unable to enter pertinent information into the ‘Munis,’ the CNMI’s new financial management system,” she stated.
Santos
Santos pointed out that dozens of students are still awaiting financial aid, with the end of the school year fast approaching.
“Currently, recipients are patiently waiting for their much-needed scholarship and housing assistance. Graduation is just around the corner and many of our high school graduates have applied for our local scholarship and are set to leave for college this fall. With the complexity of paying for college, our students’ financial struggle is further exacerbated by the inability of our municipality to provide them with our local scholarship,” Santos said.
Because of this, Santos is seeking Atalig’s help in resolving the issues with the financial management system so Rota scholars can soon receive their financial aid.
“I respectfully seek your understanding and compassion to immediately assist us with our pending issues on Munis. As soon as the situation is resolved, we can expedite the input of information followed by the printing of the checks,” she stated.
