A LOT of students have not been receiving their checks from two scholarship programs for nearly three months now, according to lawmakers.
Variety learned that recipients of the CNMI scholarship program and the Saipan Higher Education Financial Help have not been receiving their checks on time, prompting them and their parents to dig into their own pockets to catch up with college registration deadlines.
Some of those studying off-island are facing eviction from their apartments.
Vice Speaker Felicidad T. Ogumoro, Covenant-Saipan, said the release of checks has been delayed for nearly three months now due to the governments cash-flow problem.
But, she is confident that the 384 students on island and 54 students studying off-island will receive their checks next week.
She said despite some critical issues SHEFA is facing, it was able to award scholarships to close to 600 students.
A parent of one of the students told Variety on Tuesday that her daughter and 11 others studying at the University of Guam nearly failed to register because their SHEFA checks had not been mailed to them.
The parent, who requested anonymity, said they had to pay with their own money.
The recipients of the CNMI scholarship program are having the same problem.
Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, said some off-island students could not enroll because they were relying on the CNMI scholarship program.
These students had to use their housing allowances and finished up getting evicted, he said.
Sen. Francisco Q. Cruz, R-Tinian, said he continues to receive reports about students not receiving their checks.
Most of these students, he said, rely on scholarship help to meet their basic needs.
Cruz wrote Finance Secretary Robert Shrack a letter last Wednesday asking him when the scholarship checks would be out.
He told Shrack that by withholding funds from these students, œwe are forcing them to make a choice between school and debt or even dropping out.
œOur students have worked hard to earn the benefits of scholarships and we should do our best to support them, he added.
SHEFA and CNMI scholars receive up to $2,000 each.
SHEFA issues
In related news, Ogumoro said she will remain SHEFA chairwoman until Oct. 30 in order to address the issues the program is facing now.
Two months ago, Ogumoro submitted to the SHEFA board and Saipan Mayor Donald P. Flores her resignation that should have taken effect no later than Oct. 1.
She had to resign because the Constitution prohibits lawmakers from serving in any other government position including on a board.
But Ogumoro said the SHEFA board needs a quorum in order to end some work on scholarship checks.
Two persons who have been acting as SHEFA board members for months were not confirmed on time, thus their appointment was not valid, she added.
The board is supposed to have five members, including the chairman.
Magdalena C. Camacho and Josephine T. Sablan were nominated on Jan. 6, but the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation failed to confirm them on time.
Thus, Camacho and Sablan cannot be re-nominated, Ogumoro said.
She said the Saipan delegation will act today on the nomination of Jose Mafnas who was appointed by Mayor Flores.
The SHEFA board, Ogumoro said, will still have two vacancies as soon as she leaves her post on Oct. 30.
The other members of the SHEFA board are Juan K. Tenorio and Jose C. Leon Guerrero.
Article source: http://www.mvariety.com/2010102131322/local-news/delay-in-scholarship-checks-alarms-lawmakers.php
No Tag
Halo Sobat, Nama Saya Sofyan Syah, Memulai Dunia Blogging Sejak Nov 2011, Meskipun Masih Baru terjun di Dunia Blogging, Saya tidak patah semangat Untuk menjadi Yang terbaik dari yang Terbaik, karena saya yakin, Tidak ada hal yang tidak Mungkin.Buat saya Blogging Is My Life.Senang rasanya jika sobat sudah Berkunjung di blog ini.
Komentar :
Post a Comment