The American Samoa Community College (ASCC) has announced the fall 2024 recipients of its two “in-house” scholarships, the President’s Merit Scholarship and the Saili le Atamai Non-Pell Scholarship. All ASCC students may apply for these scholarships, including those who do not qualify for the federal financial aid which most students born in the Territory have access to. This semester, Ms. Falesoa AJ Tufi and Ms. Mavy F. Tuipala have both received the President’s Merit Scholarship, while the Saili le Atamai Scholarship has gone to Ms. Pearl Eunice Munoz and Ms. Rhea M. Salamat. The recipients will each receive a deduction of $500 from their ASCC tuition and fees.

         Applicants for the President’s Merit Scholarship must be full-time students in the previous and current semesters and have maintained a grade point average of 3.60 or better. The need to have completed 24 credits towards an Associate’s Degree at ASCC, as well as the classes English 150, English 151 and Math 90.

President’s Merit Scholarship recipient Ms. Tufi AJ Falesoa is studying towards an Associate of Science degree in Civil Engineering Technology. She graduated last year from Nuuuli Voc Tech, where she earned an impressive record of serving as president of the Student Government Association and the National Technical Honor Society, as an officer in the Technology Students Association and the 4H Club, and as Health Occupation Students of America state president. Ms. Tufi has worked as a teaching assistant in the ASCC Guitar Building program, as well as praise from her instructors as she pursues her Civil Engineering Technology major.

         Also receiving the President’s Merit Scholarship this semester is Ms. Mavy F. Tiapula, a Tafuna High School graduate now pursuing Associate of Science degrees in two fields, Accounting and Automotive Technology. Ms. Tiapula cites the scripture Romans 12:2 as an inspiration, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” She has demonstrated her commitment to academic excellence, by being accepted this semester into the ASCC chapter of the Phi Teta Kappa honor society.  Ms. Tiapula has been commended by her instructors for her growing skills in accounting, and she has been a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and the ASCC Rotary Club.

         The Saili le Atamai Non-Pell Scholarship, sponsored by the ASCC Student Government Association (SGA) requires that applicants 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 Associate’s Degree or Certificate of Proficiency at ASCC, and have completed English 90 and Math 80.

Born in the Philippines, Saili le Atamai Non-Pell Scholarship recipient Ms. Pearl Eunice Munoz graduated from Fa’asao Marist in 2022 and is now pursuing an Associate degree in Practical Nursing at ASCC. Ms. Munoz has shared that she found her initial move from the Philippines to American Samoa highly challenging, but that her family joining a local Filipino church helped considerably in her overcoming these challenges. Ms. Munoz cites her church experience as having helped her develop empathy, patience and communication, skills essential to being a successful nurse. Thus far, she has earned her credentials as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), and she continues to work towards her goal of becoming a fully licensed nurse.

                      Also receiving the Saili le Atamai Non-Pell Scholarship this semester, also born in the Philippines, and also a Nursing major, Ms. Rhea M. Salamat has financed her own studies at ASCC by working various jobs, including bookkeeping. Ms. Salamat has also received her Certified Nursing Assistant credentials, and now seeks to achieve the next level of qualification in the Nursing field. “My desire to pursue a career in Nursing comes from a deep sense of compassion and an understanding that, like me, many people face overwhelming challenges in life,” she said. “My own struggles have given me a sense of purpose and a drive to help others.”

             ASCC Dean of Student Services Dr. Emilia Le’i congratulated this semester’s four scholarship recipients and encouraged any interested ASCC students to apply for the available assistance. “Here at ASCC, we recognize the challenges faced by many of our students in meeting their educational expenses, especially those who don’t qualify for the Pell Grant,” she said. “We feel proud to offer these scholarships to the students deemed as the most deserving, even though the limit on our resources makes it necessary for the selection to be competitive.” For more information on the in-house scholarships at ASCC, contact the Division of Student Services at 699-2722, extension 0004.