Important Deadlines

 

Fall 2024 Term:

  • You can apply online from July 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024.

Spring 2025 Term:

  • You can apply online from December 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025.



 


Eligibility Requirements

In order to obtain funds through SHEFA, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, be enrolled in or accepted at an institution of higher learning, Northern Marianas Trades Institute or recognized trade institution by the SHEFA board and be able to prove one-year residency on Saipan prior to application date. Applicants must also be full-time students and maintain a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) for those pursuing an academic degree and a 2.0 cumulative -grade point average for those pursuing a trade/vocational certificates. Upon certification of eligibility, recipients are required to complete, sign, and notarize a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which acknowledges their agreement to return to Saipan to provide services in either the public or private sector. Failure to adhere to the MOA should result in aid received being converted to an interest-bearing loan. SHEFA currently administers three types of financial assistance: Grant-in-Aid, Field of Study (priority fields) and Merit Incentive Award. Grant amounts vary by the type of financial assistance and whether the study is on Saipan or off-island. Maximum duration of eligibility for financial assistance per degree type: Less than 2 years -Trade/Vocational Certification, 2 Academic Years - Associate Degree, 4 Academic Years - Bachelors’ Degree, 2 Academic Years - Graduate Degree, 3 Academic Years - Advanced Degree.

 

Types of Financial Assistance

  1. Grant-in-aid: Type of financial assistance available to a student from Saipan pursuing their post-secondary education in a U.S. accredited college or university or trade certification at the Northern Marianas Trades Institute or recognized trade institution approved by the SHEFA Board.
    If a grant recipient does not return to Saipan after completion of his or her studies or non-enrollment, the grant automatically becomes a loan and the recipient must repay the SHEFA fund plus interest under the terms and conditions of the attached promissory note/memorandum of agreement.
     
  2. Priority Field of Study (temporarily suspended since fall 2020): When a student pursues a field of study that has been identified by SHEFA as a priority field of study for the island of Saipan and having met other established criteria. This award is granted only to Junior and Senior college-level students and those pursuing their Master's degree.
     
  3. Merit Incentive Award (temporarily suspended since fall 2020): Type of financial assistance that is based on academic performance (3.5 GPA) at the end of every term. Applicants in their first term of college are not eligible to receive the merit incentive award. Students taking remedial courses or developmental courses in fulfillment of full-time status are not eligible for the merit incentive award.
     

 

Award Amount Per Term

  • On-island recipients, off-island and online recipients - $1200 per term
  • For vocational/trades school recipients - $700 per term

 

Types Of Awards Per Enrollment Status

  • High School: Early Admission Program or 2+2 Program can avail to the Grant-In-Aid
  • Trades/Vocational School: Grant-In-Aid
  • Undergraduates: Grand-In-Aid, Priority Field of Awards, and Merit Incentive Awards
  • Masters Program: Grant-In-Aid, Priority Field of Awards, and Merit Incentive Awards
  • Advanced/Doctorate Programs: Grant-In-Aid