(SHEFA) – The Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance (SHEFA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce two new scholarship opportunities that will take effect beginning Spring 2026, underscoring the Board’s ongoing commitment to supporting the academic and professional goals of Saipan residents.
On Monday, November 10, 2025, all members of the Board of Directors voted in favor of reinstating the Priority Fields of Study and introducing the Part-Time Award. The voting members included Chairwoman Kaelani Demapan, Vice Chairman Henry Kyle Hofschneider, Treasurer Eluene Baza, Secretary Florence Calvo, and Member Guadalupe Attao, and supported by SHEFA Administrator, Merissa Rasa.
Board Chairwoman Kaelani Demapan emphasized that these updates reflect the Board’s dedication to expanding access to higher education:
“These decisions reflect years of listening to our students and understanding the challenges they face. Whether they are preparing for high-demand fields or balancing full-time work with their studies, we want SHEFA to continue supporting them—especially during times like these. I am truly grateful to our past and present board members, our administrator, and the many students who shared their experiences and helped shape these conversations. Your voices made a meaningful difference. We are also deeply appreciative of the continued support from Mayor RB Camacho.”
Following extensive review and discussion by both current and past board members, the Board unanimously approved the following initiatives:
Reinstatement of Priority Fields of Study
Upon availability of funds, SHEFA will reinstate the Priority Fields of Study category—suspended since 2020. This addition provides an extra $1,000.00 incentive per semester to eligible students pursuing degree programs aligned with the Commonwealth’s workforce needs. Priority fields of study include, but are not limited to: business, computer and technology, counseling, education, engineering, environmental studies, healthcare, law, science, tourism and hospitality, and trades certification programs.
New Part-Time Award for Full-Time Employees
To better support students who balance full-time employment while pursuing higher education, SHEFA has introduced a new Part-Time Award.
- This award is exclusively available to full-time employees enrolled part-time taking 6 credits minimum (remedial courses/non-developmental units will not be counted).
- Eligible applicants must have completed at least 24 college credits.
- Must be enrolled in a Saipan based-institution.
- Must have a 2.5 or higher cumulative grade point average (this does not apply to new SHEFA applicants).
- Must maintain a 2.5 or higher cumulative grade point average per term.
- Must be a U.S. citizen (U.S Permanent Residents/Green Card holders may apply).
- Must show proof of residency in Saipan one year prior to application date.
- The duration of awards for associate’s and bachelor’s degrees remains unchanged. (Note: previous SHEFA applicants who have met their maximum award duration will not be eligible.)
The application period for Spring 2026 will officially open on December 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026. Updated guidelines and application requirements will be available at that time. For more information, please contact saipanshefa@gmail.com or visit www.saipanshefa.com
