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 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. 
With ASCC returning to normal schedules, the Division of Student Services has announced the Fall 2022 recipients of the President’s Merit Scholarship, recent graduates M.J. Mauoia Jr.Metuli and Tutuila M. Fualefau.
Mr. Metuli, 19, comes from Satala and attended Iakina Adventist Academy, graduating in 2021. While at ASCC, 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, was raised in Faga’alu and attended Fa’asao Marist High School. As a 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.”
She has now entered the next phase of pursuing those dreams, as a student at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington.
