But he said he is also mindful of the economic hardship that the business sector is already facing.
Before initiating any fund drive, he said the SHEFA board must seriously evaluate its financial assistance programs and then decide whether to make some changes.
The projected poker fee collection for this fiscal year is “too tight” and is a concern, he said.
Poker fees fund SHEFA’s scholarship program.
But SHEFA is also allowed to receive donations, gifts and grants from individuals, associations or corporations.
Mafnas noted, however, that “everybody — businesses, individuals, associations, and corporations are in survival mode today.”
Asked about the existence of other local scholarship programs, Mafnas said: “I am sure that the legislative body that established SHEFA in 2004 had its reason to create a program separate from the CNMI Scholarship Office.”
He said both offices share the same mission, but SHEFA focuses on assisting students who are residents of Saipan and Northern Islands only.
