17 GCA EDUCATION CH. 34 VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL SCHOLARSHIPS VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL SCHOLARSHIPS CHAPTER 34 § 34101. Scholarships

§ 34102. Growing Guam’s Work Force Scholarship Program, Created. § 34101. Scholarships

The Board of Trustees of the Guam Community College shall establish such scholarships as it finds appropriate to provide the Territory with people with necessary training in vocational and technical fields. The Board is authorized to establish such independent funds as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Section and may seek appropriations to fund such scholarships. The Board shall establish the criteria for the granting and maintaining of such scholarships by its rule

SOURCE: § 11829.1 GC, as added by P.L. 14-77. § 34102. Growing Guam’s Work Force Scholarship Program, Created. (a) There is hereby created the “Growing Guam’s Work Force Scholarship Program”. Awards granted under this Section shall be granted for Academic Year 2012-2013, and thereafter

(b) Administration of Program. The Guam Community College Board of Trustees shall administer this program pursuant to § 34101 of this Chapter

(c) Rules and Regulations. All rules and regulations adopted prior to the enactment of this Section shall remain effective unless they are amended or repealed by the Board in a manner consistent with this Chapter

(d) Selection Committee. The President of Guam Community College shall annually establish an Evaluation and Selection Committee (the Committee). The Committee shall conduct interviews for the purpose of selecting scholarship recipients under the programs listed within this Chapter. The passing of the oral interviews and the meeting of established Guam Community College entrance and academic requirements shall constitute the primary criteria for selection of scholarship recipients. The Board may prescribe additional qualifications for admission to the scholarship programs

COL12302011 1 17 GCA EDUCATION CH. 34 VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL SCHOLARSHIPS Applications for the Growing Guam’s Work Force Scholarship Program shall be received by April 30 of every year, and applicants shall be interviewed at a time and place designated by the Committee prior to June 30. Awards shall be granted prior to July 30 in a written notice to the selected applicant, and the applicant’s school administrator, if applicable

(e) Academic Advisor and Program Contract. Each program scholarship recipient shall have an academic advisor who, with the student, shall develop a complete academic plan that would result in the granting of the applicable degree within the prescribed period of time. This plan shall be examined by the appropriate College official, as determined by the Board, and upon approval, shall constitute a contract between the student and the College

(f) Scholarships. The Growing Guam’s Work Force Scholarship Program shall consist of students who have declared their intention to attend the Guam Community College. Scholarships may be awarded to eligible students who meet the following criteria: (1) bona fide resident of Guam paying income taxes to the government of Guam, or is a dependent of a parent or legal guardian who pays income taxes to the government of Guam; (2) citizen of the United States; (3) senior or graduate of an accredited high school with a cumulative grade point average of not less than 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent; (4) official acceptance to Guam Community College in accordance with its admissions policies; (5) demonstrate financial need, which shall be determined by regulations authorized by this Chapter. In addition, the applicant must complete a “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA) form as documentary evidence of need; and must exhaust all federal sources that may be available for economically disadvantaged students, as certified by GCC; and (6) may be a degree holder from a foreign post secondary education institution

(g) Same: Benefits. Students entitled to scholarships pursuant to this Chapter shall receive the following benefit: a scholarship in the amount of COL12302011 2 17 GCA EDUCATION CH. 34 VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL SCHOLARSHIPS Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000), issued in two (2) equal installments of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2500) each. The first (1st) installment shall be payable at the beginning of the first (1st) semester of the recipient’s freshman year at the Guam Community College. The second (2nd) installment shall be paid in the beginning of the first (1st) semester of the recipient’s sophomore year at the Guam Community College. Scholarship funds shall be payable exclusively to GCC for tuition or books or as reimbursement to scholarship recipients upon evidence of prior payment of tuition and books, and according to the rules and regulations

(h) Reporting Requirements. A report shall be submitted to the Speaker of I Liheslaturan Guåhan no later than three (3) weeks after the start of the fall semester for which any scholarships have been awarded. The report shall contain the following information: the total number of recipients by academic year, sorted by new and continuing recipients; the total number of recipients that completed their degree program; the total amount expended for the prior academic year for any activity related to the program; and any other information that I Liheslatura will deem helpful in the review of the program

(i) Service Requirements. (1) Any student who receives a scholarship pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be obligated to work on Guam for a period of one (1) year (equivalent to twelve (12) months) for every year of assistance received, commencing no later than six (6) months after the completion of an Associate’s degree program or higher degree program, or no later than six (6) months immediately following non-enrollment from the Guam Community College, or higher degree program

(2) Any student granted a scholarship under this Section who fails to fulfill the provisions of this Section must repay the full amount of the scholarship. The Board shall establish such policies prescribing the length and terms of repayment, the interest rate to be charged, and the collection of delinquent accounts or in the event of a default

(3) If a student enlists to serve on active duty in a branch of the U.S. Armed Services during the course of or upon completion of studies, the service requirement shall be postponed until the student returns to work on Guam, but in no case longer than six (6) years; provided, however, that the student applies for the postponement COL12302011 3 17 GCA EDUCATION CH. 34 VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL SCHOLARSHIPS within ninety (90) days of entering the Armed Services and continues to maintain Guam as home of record

(4) Death or total and permanent disability of the student shall terminate any obligations herein. Total and permanent disability for purposes of this Section is defined as any physiological or psychological condition that will prevent the student from obtaining or maintaining any form of gainful employment. The Board may defer repayment for temporary disability. Total and permanent disability requires the certification by two (2) physicians licensed to practice in the United States

(j) Funding Sources. The Program may make every effort to award up to five hundred (500) scholarships annually contingent on the availability of funding sources cited in this Section. Funding to administer and conduct the Program in this Act may come from any or all of the following sources: (1) direct appropriation by I Liheslaturan Guåhan for the express purpose of funding the program created by this Act; (2) public investments from GEDA’s Qualifying Certificate Program, not already dedicated for a particular use; (3) company donations to a “Qualified Tuition Program, also known as a 529 program” made available to eligible employees for re- investment and development; and (4) any other source of funding for which the use of money for the purposes herein is consistent with law

SOURCE: Added by P.L. 31-128:2 (Nov. 17, 2011)

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