The Northern Marianas College recently hosted a well-received and
successful “Cash for College” workshop over the weekend where staff
members and community volunteers provided free, one-on-one financial
aid assistance to nearly 400 participants.
The purpose of the free workshop was to assist students and their
parents maximize scholarship opportunities currently available to
those seeking to obtain a college education.
At the workshop, participants received personal, step-by-step
assistance in completing college financial aid forms for the various
federal and local scholarships and grants including the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Saipan Higher
Education Financial Aid (SHEFA), the CNMI Scholarship, and the College
Access Challenge Grant Scholarship.
Other scholarships featured at the event included the Gates Millennium
Scholarship, the Businesswoman of the Year Scholarship, and the
Women’s Opportunity Award sponsored by Soroptimist International.
In addition, staff members from the College’s Office of Admissions and
Records were present to provide information and assistance with the
NMC application process.
The approximately 383 workshop participants also received free notary
and copying services, as well as fee waivers for the NMC admission
application fee and placement tests for the upcoming Spring 2014
semester.
Many of these participants were students from Marianas High School,
Kagman High School, Saipan Southern High School and other private high
schools. Some of the participants also included parents of students,
and students currently enrolled at NMC.
“We are so lucky to have this kind of service brought into our
community,” said one student in attendance.
Another attendee, from Marianas High School said, “I came in a little
bit anxious, but left satisfied with the help I received. This
workshop was worth my time.”
“We are very pleased with the great turn out for the Cash for College
workshop,” said NMC Dean of Student Services Leo Pangelinan. “It was
rewarding to see many students take advantage of this opportunity to
see what financial aid opportunities are available and how to maximize
and apply for them.”
However, for students who missed the recent Cash for College workshop
Pangelinan recommends visiting NMC’s Financial Aid Office in Room N-1
at the As Terlaje campus (M-F: 8am-4:30pm) or contacting the office at
(670) 237-6792 to get assistance in filling up forms.
The free Cash for College workshop including the past workshops in
Tinian and Rota were made possible through financial support from the
U.S. Department of Education’s College Access Challenge Grant program.
This federal program aims to increase the number of students from
under-represented minority populations enrolled in college.
The Cash for College event is part of the college and higher education
focused activities lined up for College Month. For a list of upcoming
activities that are part of College Month, visit www.marianas.edu.
