In a significant commitment to higher education, Dominica’s government is fulfilling its promise to students in the United States. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit described this as a vital move to support Dominican students studying abroad, aiming to ease their educational journey.
Two universities, Midwestern State University (MSU) and Grambling State University (GSU), have been patient amid Dominica’s financial challenges caused by external factors like the pandemic and natural disasters. However, the outstanding balances, amounting to millions of dollars, have reached a breaking point for these institutions.
In a recent development, Dr. Edwin Litolff, Vice President for Finance of GSU, disclosed that the government of Dominica’s debt has surpassed USD $3.1 million. Consequently, GSU issued a “last opportunity for payment.” Failure to comply will result in Dominican students being unable to register for classes or reside on campus during the Spring Semester of 2024.
Subsequently, MSU outlined that all Dominican students must adhere to the standard payment terms for MSU students. Unpaid balances, including those promised to be paid by the Commonwealth of Dominica, must be settled in full for Spring 2024 registration. This includes fall 2023 charges, and those with past-due balances will be denied transcripts upon graduation.
However, during a press conference, Prime Minister Skerrit revealed that the government had initiated payments for students studying abroad. One million US dollars will be sent to Grambling to cover students’ outstanding debts, while half a million dollars will be sent to Midwestern to address financial obligations.
Skerrit, addressing concerns from students and parents, emphasized the importance of maintaining self-control and discipline when facing challenges. He encouraged students to remain focused and patient throughout their educational journey.
The Prime Minister also underscored the government’s dedication to education, highlighting their substantial financial investment in creating a robust educational framework. He stated that this investment aimed to prepare Dominicans for success and had opened doors for thousands of young Dominicans, marking an unprecedented achievement in the nation’s history.
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