Previous Story
SHEFA updating applicants of status of applications
A Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance board member says that SHEFA is doing a good job with its application process. Board member Juan Tenorio said the SHEFA office has been keeping its applicants aware of what is needed to expedite the application process.
“We’ve been notifying students a lot better and now they understand what they need to turn in…in order to get approved,” he said.
The number of SHEFA’s fall applicants has reached 1,140 as of July 31.
SHEFA board administrative assistant Doreen Masga reported to the SHEFA board that, as of July 31, a total of 249 applicants have been approved, 18 were denied, and 873 are pending. Masga also indicated that there are 372 new applicants, 675 ongoing applicants, and 93 returning.
She said the number of pending applications is high because the SHEFA office is still waiting for supporting documents.
Out of the 1,140 applicants, 505 are college freshman, 238 are college sophomores, 214 are college juniors, 79 are college seniors, 83 are attending graduate school for master’s degrees, and 21 are continuing for an advanced/doctorate/juris doctorate degree.
Masga also clarified that SHEFA has a total of 51 applicants enrolling in certification programs, 421 enrolling in associate degree programs, 564 for bachelor degree programs, 83 for master’s degree programs, and 21 in doctorate programs.
A total of 684 applicants will be studying on Saipan, while 353 are enrolled off-island and 103 are enrolled online.
A total of 49 applicants are currently enrolled at the Northern Marianas Trades Institute.
The deadline for supporting documents is on Sept. 30.
The award distribution for fall 2019 consists of $280,500 for grant-in aid, $89,000 for priority field of study, and $156,500 for merit incentive awards.
SHEFA is funded through Saipan’s annual poker licensing fee collections.
