Hagåtña, Guam – Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio are proud to announce the launching of the I Nina’metgot Famalao’an (Making Women Stronger) Adult High School Completion Scholarship Program. Administered by the Bureau of Women’s Affairs (BWA), in coordination with the Guam Community College (GCC), the scholarship program will provide 36 women the opportunity to earn their high school diploma or high school equivalency.
“The pandemic has contributed to rising dropout rates at our island’s public high schools, and our Administration recognizes the need to empower those facing unique disparities to fulfill their educational goals, most especially young women ages 18 and older who made the difficult decision to pause their learning for a myriad of reasons,” said Governor Leon Guerrero. “The BWA Adult High School Completion Scholarship invests in women by eliminating barriers for those who want to succeed but lack some of the tools to do so, such as a high school diploma.”
“In collaboration with GCC and Victim Advocates Reaching Out (VARO), the Public Defender Service Corporation, and village mayors’ offices, BWA is currently seeking applicants in need of the financial lift offered through this program,” said Lt. Governor Tenorio. “Reaching this milestone can help them secure a job because most employers now require a high school diploma or enrollment in a post-secondary program that furthers their education and skills.”
“The lack of a high school diploma, or its equivalent, is one of the most prevalent barriers to a woman’s ability to improve her socio-economic condition and to provide adequate care for herself and her family,” stated GCC President Dr. Mary Okada. “GCC is excited to work with the Governor’s Office, through the Bureau of Women’s Affairs, to encourage more women to complete their high school education and to continue on to attain a postsecondary certificate.”
Scholarship recipients can earn their high school diploma through the federally funded GCC Adult High School Diploma program, and upon graduation (the deadline to graduate for the scholarship program is May 9, 2024), they will be awarded a $500 scholarship check by BWA. Scholarship recipients may also choose to take the GED® high school equivalency test at GCC. The I Nina’metgot Famalao’an program will pay the test fee(s), and once the scholarship recipient passes, they will be awarded the remainder of their $500 scholarship (minus testing fees).
This scholarship is made possible through a grant to BWA from Guam’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding. For more information, contact BWA Director Jayne Flores at 671-475-9162 or info.bwa@guam.gov. The fillable PDF application is available online at bwa.guam.gov.
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