Legislative Findings and Intent

I Liheslaturan Guåhan finds that the trajectory of the younger generation is impacted by social and financial betterment, and that a purposeful investment in their individual future such as the establishment of a scholarship fund, known as the “First Generation Trust Fund Initiative” (Initiative), available to students in the public school system at the beginning of their ninth

(9th)grade term, is a feasible component of directing our students towards the promising futures they each deserve. I Liheslatura recognizes that there are existing and varied scholarship and training programs in higher education, supported by local and federal funds, that aim to provide information, services and support for those students demonstrating financial need, disability, and/or those who are first-generation eligible. While such programs are significant to supporting incoming students and sustaining student enrollment, not all provide the specific initial cost investment needed to start a college education on Guam. COL9192018 CH. 14 TEACHING AND LEARNING COMMUNITIES ACT AND FIRST GENERATION TRUST FUND INITIATIVE I Liheslatura finds that the First Generation Trust Fund Initiative is supported by a combined effort of the Guam DOE, UOG and GCC. I Liheslatura further intends to establish the commitment that the success of our children is developed early on within our public education system, and that the First Generation Trust Fund Initiative provides the platform to ensure that students work towards financial self-reliance in the long-run.