study financing will continue to fail Sint Maarten students

*Please read the note at the end. 


Whenever the discussion of tertiary education is brought up on the island, it always focuses on the importance of retention and making sure students are returning home to prevent the current dilemma within the region of “brain drain”. However, as a university student studying what was considered a priority list degree in the United States, the Ministry of Education, and specifically the Department of Study Financing has failed me, and many other study financing students.

I am writing this as a student who is exhausted, disappointed, and outright angry with the processes and the lack of professionalism that has been presented to me. 

My personal experience in the last two months has opened my eyes to how as a country and as a government, we are willing to keep people who are incompetent in high positions due to longevity and not based on the ability to do their job. Summer 2021, I took extra summer classes to ensure that I would be able to graduate on time. Unfortunately, due to financial hardships that have continued to plague my life, and of so many other university students, because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, I was not able to pay off that tuition. This situation put a financial hold on my account. With this financial hold, I am unable to access any transcripts, which is one of the documents needed to reapply for study financing. When I realized the situation, I emailed the department head, Antonio Aventurin, and stated my issue. Once again, I wasn’t able to get the transcript in August and reminded them of the issue.

On September 14th, 2021, I got an email stating that my study financing was suspended. Confused, and shocked by the automated email, I quickly responded, explaining once again my entire situation while simultaneously working with my university through the help of the Student Advocate to alleviate the cost I had. To my dismay, the conversations between myself and the department head were extremely condescending. It got worse when I looped both my mother and my academic advisor into the situation. The lack of professionalism and willingness to work with me and my institution felt like a slap in my face. How does one go around saying they are there to help support the students but aren’t willing to fully understand the situation? At the end of all the interactions, I felt angry. It was simple, if I can get the $7500 for the Fall semester, I would be able to pay off the tuition and access my transcript within a week. A simple compromise that was not only looked over but mocked with a suggestion that makes me irate even attempting to type out. 

Imagine, you’ve spent three years working hard towards your degree at an institution, after this semester you are only 10 credits away from graduating, and the person who loans you money states that you should transfer schools to do your last semester. Sounds ridiculous right? That was the final suggestion I received from the head of the department. I am currently a senior at Wichita State University, in Wichita Kansas with a major in political science and minors in communication and sociology. I am also the current Student Body Vice President and have created some of the most meaningful friendships and professional connections. I got the “advice” to transfer to Florida A&M as it is cheaper. Laugh with me at the ridiculousness. Please. 

To conclude, I urge the government to do a couple of things:
​Please restructure the entire process on how  study financing is handled. Every single institution, especially those in the United States function differently. The one process fits all methods as historically being detrimental to the students who are willing to further their education abroad.



Additional note: 
This post has been edited to correct department to division and to remove the call to remove the head of the division. Please note that this is not a personal attack to the head, but a public cry to how the division has been functioning for the last four years.

I am still wanting to hear from others about their experiences. So, if you or someone you know has been a recipient of Study Financing, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qBWHwH7vWXXzfuxZ9