Based on its current listing, SHEFA assistance goes to 20 college degrees.
SHEFA Administrator Henry Hofschneider said the other reason why the board is considering reducing the number of courses that receive SHEFA assistance is to address the needs of the private sector once nonresident workers leave the island.
Based on the demands of the private sector, the board will identify specific degrees and courses under SHEFA’s field of study award, he added.
He said they will get information and data from the Public School System, the Workforce Investment Agency, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and the business community.
In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the board identified the priority fields of study for Saipan which include accounting, nursing, teaching (specialized special education, early childhood education, library science, counseling, and bilingual education), business management and administration, hospitality and information technology, anthropology/sociology for teaching.
It also include the courses on biology for teaching, criminal justice leading to forensic science, and laboratory technology, psychology other than leading to counseling, human resources development/personnel management, social worker, mathematics for teaching; engineering/architect, medical and allied fields including psychiatry, environmental studies/conservation, and computer graphics, including technical or specialized trades such as journalism, management information and computer programming.
Hofschneider said they may maintain at least 10 courses under the priority field of study.
