In her report to the board of regents, she said the college submitted a grant renewal application last July 13.
The application will allow the college to avail of the $1.5 million College Access Challenge grant program funds provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
“This grant is administered by the Division of Student Services and will be utilized to promote higher education, increase college enrollment and success among low-income, Pacific Islander students in CNMI,” she said.
Hart said the college has identified matching funds during the upcoming year to avail of the grant award and will use the increase in funds to award over $500,000 in need-based scholarship to eligible students.
The college educational talent search program, she added, is also anxiously waiting news from the U.S. Department of Education regarding the continuation of its grants for the next five years.
The fiscal year 2011 competitions for new awards under the talent search program have been reduced by 2 percent due to reduced funding for programs in the department’s higher education account which is approximately $350 million, she said.
Hart said the program currently operates with $360,000 every year with six staff members on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
As of July 13, 2011, the Pacific Islands Chapter of the Western Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel reported that Palau Community College and University of Guam had confirmed receipt of funding, she added.
“Program staffers are in communication with the CNMI U.S. Delegate Office and WESTOP Pacific island chapter president for assistance with decisions issued by the U.S. Department of Education regarding a grant award for Northern Marianas College,” she said.
