Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Thirteen (13) students at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) will receive the National Science Foundation (NSF) S-STEM scholarship, which supports students at Hawaiian and Pacific island Institutions of higher education, this semester. The scholarship aims to alleviate financial obstacles so that talented and high-achieving scholars can fully participate in their collegiate experience. 

By connecting scholars with relevant resources to strengthen academic achievement, the scholarship increases opportunity and retention for marine/ environmental science students who pursue two- and four-year college degrees so that they can secure employment in competitive STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) fields in their home island regions.

This project addresses the national need for well-educated scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and technicians by supporting the recruitment, retention, and graduation of high-achieving, low-income students with demonstrated financial need for eligible students enrolled in the Pacific Islands institutions of higher education. 

Overall, this project is expected to impact approximately 250 students over the five-year grant period, and builds on existing and successful partnerships between the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the five US-affiliated Pacific island community colleges: ASCC, the College of Micronesia – FSM, the College of the Marshall Islands, Northern Marianas College, and Palau Community College.

Prior to the announcement of the award recipients, ASCC Marine Science instructor Ms. Toepo Leiataua and Science Lab technician Ms. Raijeli Toanivere coordinated with the NSF S-STEM team at the University of Hawaii to assist students with the application process.  

The selection of the recipients was determined by the NSF S-STEM committee at UH. Application was open to students majoring in any Science field at ASCC. 

For Fall 2026, successful applicants included majors in Marine Science, Natural Resources, and General Agriculture. Even a Nursing student’s application was successful, but she subsequently opted not to enroll this semester. 

Ms. Leiataua emphasized that the NSF S-STEM scholarship opportunity will continue through the duration of the five-year grant period. “Future applicants can follow the ASCC Marine Science Facebook page to view available scholarship opportunities,” she advised.    The scholarship is a $5000 award paid directly to the recipients over the course of two semesters. 

The 13 ASCC with science-based majors who will be awarded the NSF S-STEM scholarship in the upcoming months are: 

Christina Ieremia, Pete Desciple Tanielu, Jennifer Kirisome, James Su’esu’e, Temukisa Kalifa, Esther Paselio, Faagutu Salanoa, Princessvalentine Vaoga, Sio Kim, Ghaydah Salave’a, Zara Sahib, Johnson Ailima, and Alailefaaolataga Salvation Lelili’o.

For more information on the NSF S-STEM scholarship, visit the website: https://s-stem.pbrc.hawaii.edu/