Criteria and Requirements

Criteria and Requirements. To be eligible for this financial assistance program an individual must: (a) Be a U.S. citizen. (b) Be a CNMI resident for three years. (c) Meet all admission requirements and be accepted by San Diego State University. (d) Commit to work in the Commonwealth in the field of education for four years after completion of graduate program. Source: PL 10-60, § 3. Commission Comment: PL 10-60 took effect June 17, 1997. According to PL 10-60, §§ 1 and 2: Section 1. Findings. The Legislature finds that the quality of public instruction is directly related to the educational level of instructors and that there is a continuing need to provide opportunities for self-improvement to educators for the benefit of the children of the Commonwealth. The Legislature further finds that, in addition to teacher training programs now in place at Northern Marianas College, there is a need to assist qualified educators with an additional opportunity for self-improvement in educational leadership master’s degree program offered by San Diego State University and coordinated by Northern Marianas College. Furthermore, this will be a cost-effective way to provide an advanced degree to those residents whose work contribution to the betterment of our community precludes their option to obtain such education off-island and that it is in the interests of the Commonwealth to assist such individuals in improving their capability to serve our children. Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to establish a financial assistance program for qualified residents to assist them in obtaining an advanced degree while continuing their work. Subsection designations in this section were changed from numerals to small letters to comply with standard code format.