THE CNMI Scholarship Office has disbursed $2,226,613 in scholarships and loans in fiscal year 2020, according to a fiscal year 2020 report submitted to the Senate on Monday.
CNMI Scholarship Administrator Mildred Sablan-Camacho submitted the report in response to a request by Senate Vice President Justo S. Quitugua.
According to the report, a total of $2,226,613 was disbursed for scholarships and loans while $320,914.31 went to operational expenses.
The CNMI Scholarship Office said they awarded 1,372 scholarships and grants in FY 2020.
The report also mentioned the amounts that the CNMI has been paying for its Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education annual membership from FYs 2014 to 2020.
The CNMI Scholarship Office paid $99,750 in FY 2014; $137,000 in FY 2015; $141,000 in FY 2016; $72,500 in FY 2017; $74,500 in FY 2018; $75,400 in FY 2019; and $78,000 in FY 2020.
The scholarship office also reported that it saved $1,231,668 through the Western Undergraduate Exchange, an agreement among WICHE’s 16 member states and territories.
Through WUE, eligible students can choose from hundreds of undergraduate programs outside their home state or territory, and pay no more than 150% of the institution’s resident tuition rate.
Since full nonresident college tuition rates may exceed 300% of resident rates, WUE increases affordable higher education choices for students, and minimizes the adverse impacts of student loan debt.
