The American Samoa Community College (ASCC) makes available two “in-house” scholarships for students who seek financial assistance attending college, including those who are not US citizens or US nationals and therefore do not have access to federal financial aid. Each semester, all ASCC students can apply for either the President’s Merit Scholarship, sponsored by the Office of the ASCC President, or the Saili le Atamai Scholarship, sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA).

         Disruptions in the routine of many students due to restrictions in place during last year’s Covid-19 pandemic caused a delay in the College’s scholarship process, with only a very limited number of applications for the Presidential Merit Scholarship made during the fall 2022 semester, and none for the Saili le Atamai Scholarship. In the aftermath of the pandemic, as things return to normal at ASCC, the Division of Student Services has announced the fall 2022 recipients of the President’s Merit Scholarship, recent graduates Mr. M.J. Mauoia Jr. Metuli and Ms. Tutuila M. Fualefau.  

         Mr. Metuli, 19, comes from the village of Satala and attended high school at Iakina Adventist Academy, graduating in 2021. While at ASCC, while majoring in Liberal Arts, he participated in both the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society and the SGA, and also provided tutorial assistance in Math and English for other students. ASCC Social Science Department chairperson Mrs. Lilian Temese described Metuli as “a very mature and determined young man who exemplifies true leadership and character.” In his application essay, Metuli described his strong interest in Psychology, and stated his goal of one day returning to ASCC as an instructor in that subject. After graduating from ASCC in December, Metuli is currently continuing his studies at Walla Walla University in Washington State.

         Ms. Tutuila M. Fualefatu, who also received the President’s Merit Scholarship, was raised in Faga’alu and attended Fa’asao Marist High School. As member of the Leone Holy Cross Parish, she had extensive involvement with various groups and activities such as the choir, the youth, Sunday School and the Children of Mary Society. As a Business major at ASCC, with a focus on project management, Ms. Fualefatu aspires towards becoming an entrepreneur in a variety of areas while also addressing challenges faced by the community. “My ambition is to engage in construction management to improve efficiency in low-income housing,” she said in her application essay. “In eight years, I picture myself running an ATM machine business, operating a local food vending machine company, and reviewing and resolving financial issues.” Falefatu has now entered the next phase of pursuing those dreams as a student at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington.  

         Criteria for the President’s Merit Scholarship include applicants being full-time students in the previous and current semester, maintaining a grade point average of 3.60 or better, having completed 24 credits towards an Associates Degree at ASCC, and having completed the classes English 150, English 151 and Math 90. Applicants for the Saili le Atamai Scholarship must  be full-time students in the previous and current semester with a grade point average of 3.0 or better, have completed 12 credits or more towards an Associates Degree or Certificate of Proficiency at ASCC, and have completed English 90 and Math 80. The typical award is $500 applied as a tuition credit.

         ASCC Dean of Student Services Dr. Emilia Le’i recommends that any student in financial need should consider applying for either or both scholarship provided that the meet the requirements. “As a result of the Covid pandemic, not as many students have pursued this opportunity as is usually the case,” she said, “but anyone who’s been to college knows how challenging it can be money-wise, especially if you don’t have access to financial aid. I encourage current and potential ASCC students to learn more about these scholarships.” For more information on the in-house scholarships at ASCC, contact the Division of Student Services by calling 699-2722, and when prompted, entering extension number 0004.