Definitions. As used in this article, the following definitions shall apply: (a) “Board” means the CNMI Scholarship Board of Directors. (b) “CNMI” means the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. (c) “Financial Assistance” means student grants, student loans, student scholarships, and other programs of student financial assistance. (d) “Fund” means CNMI Scholarship Fund established under 3 CMC § 10107. (e) “Resident” means a person who is a United States citizen, who has resided in the CNMI for at least three consecutive years and is a registered voter in the CNMI before applying for financial assistance administered by the board and who is attending or has been accepted for enrollment at an accredited institution of higher education or a trade institution in the CNMI or any part of the United States that is designed to develop the CNMI workforce. The residency requirement may be met by proof of a parent residing on Saipan for the requisite period. Provided further, that persons under the age of 18 may also be deemed “residents” if all other criteria are met other than being a registered voter. Source: PL 15-75, § 3; former section repealed and new section enacted by PL 18-40 §§ 3(b) and 4(101) (Mar. 21, 2014), modified; (e) amended by PL 1965 § 2 (Sept. 16, 2016), modified. Commission Comment: The Commission substituted section numbers pursuant to 1 CMC § 3806(d). Before the 2014 repeal, this section was entitled “Scholarship Recipient List.” Public Law 15-75 was enacted by override on July 26, 2007, and contained the following pertinent sections in addition to severability and savings clauses: Section 1. Short Title. This Act may be cited as the “Scholarship Office Efficiency Act of 2006.” Section 2. Findings and Purpose. The Legislature finds that in order to accomplish the policy of phasing out nonresident workers with resident workers that the government must take the lead in recruiting graduating college students for employment in the Commonwealth government. The Legislature also finds that numerous scholarships are provided to Commonwealth students with the stipulation that students return to work in the Commonwealth. To assist students, it is incumbent upon the government to communicate with students prior to and upon graduation in order to recruit and hire these students. Cooperation between the various governmental entities will provide students with the assurance that there is gainful employment awaiting them upon their return. The Legislature further finds that the scholarship recipient listing should also be offered to interested businesses so that they may also recruit students to work in their establishments. This partnership between the government and business community, governmental agencies handling scholarships, and students will be a progressive step in bridging the gap between graduating students and employment; and additionally
serve to promote awareness to college students as to the types of professions that are in demand by the government and the private industry in the Commonwealth. PL 19-65 became effective on September 16, 2016. The Commission changed “person(s)” to “person” and “is” after “criteria” to “are” in (e) pursuant to 1 CMC § 3806(g).