CNMI Del. Gregorio Sablan pressed the U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona about issues with the free application for federal student aid, or FAFSA, for CNMI college students.

In a House Committee hearing in D.C., Sablan shared that CNMI college students have faced obstacles with the application.

Sablan explained that the NMI was excluded from the system and students from there had to declare themselves as foreign students to complete the application. Sablan said the U.S. Department of Education was notified in January about the issue.

Sablan asked Cardona what could be done in the next application period.

Cardona said, “I can assure you that our team will follow up with you to make sure that the students that you represent get the best support and make sure that they have what they need.”

Sablan also asked, “Mr. Secretary…no student can complete the fafsa application. And I understand it is one of the items, outstanding issues that need to be resolved, I am just asking you, could I please have your commitment that this could be resolved before the next school year?”

Cardona responded, “Absolutely.”

Sablan said the issues have caused uncertainty for many NMI students.