One Scholarship Class, All Four FSM States
Habele has awarded 151 tuition scholarships for the 2026–27 school year, providing $80,844.75 in direct assistance to students from all four states of the Federated States of Micronesia.
Among them are 89 outer-island students—not only from Yap’s Outer Islands, but also from the outer islands of Chuuk and Pohnpei States. Together, the scholarship class represents the geographic breadth of the FSM: Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk and Yap; high islands and lagoon communities; state centers and distant atolls.
The 13 participating schools are located in Yap, Pohnpei and Chuuk. The scholars themselves come from all four states. In Micronesia, a student’s school location does not always tell you where that student comes from. Young people may move within the FSM or stay with relatives and sponsors in order to attend the school their family believes will best serve them.
That is why Habele looks at students and families—not simply school locations—when describing the reach of the program.
The clearest evidence of what these opportunities can accomplish comes from last year’s graduates. Eleven Habele scholars completed high school in 2025–26. All 11 are headed to college, and three graduated as valedictorians of their high school classes.
This year’s scholars range from kindergarten through grade 12 and include 89 girls and 62 boys. They will attend:
- Five schools in Yap: Faith Christian Academy, Saint Mary’s Catholic School, Yap Catholic High School, Yap International Christian School and Yap Seventh-day Adventist School.
- Four schools in Pohnpei: Calvary Christian Academy, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School, Pohnpei Catholic School and Pohnpei Seventh-day Adventist School.
- Four schools in Chuuk: Chuuk Seventh-day Adventist School, Saint Cecilia School, Saramen Chuuk Academy and Xavier High School.
Behind that national reach are individual records of work and persistence.
- Lakisha Yalena Faegelmwarech-Subolior, whose family is from Fais Island and Asor on Ulithi Atoll, enters grade 12 at Yap Catholic High School after completing her junior year with a 96 average. She earned First Honors in three quarters and Second Honors in the remaining quarter. This will be her fourth year as a Habele scholar.
- Eve Salohi Anson of Kitti, Pohnpei, enters grade 12 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School after completing grade 11 with a 3.95 GPA.
- Kisa Janika Chipen, whose family is from Losap in the Mortlock Islands of Chuuk State, will enter grade 12 at Xavier High School in her third year as a Habele scholar.
- Kapono Sigrah of Lelu, Kosrae, enters grade 12 at Xavier after completing his junior year with a 3.714 GPA.
Four students, four states—and each part of a much larger class of ambitious young people doing the difficult work for themselves.
A Habele scholarship is a shared commitment. Families choose the school and continue to pay part of the tuition. Students attend class, work hard and report their progress. Teachers, relatives and sponsors help keep them moving forward. Individual Habele donors provide the practical assistance that brings those efforts together.
Scholarship checks are paid directly to the schools. Awards remain below the full cost of tuition so that family ownership stays at the center of the program. Scholars provide report cards, letters and photographs during the school year, and continued support must be earned through performance and regular reporting.
Habele was established to serve students and schools across Micronesia. Our ability to find and support more students in Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap grows when former Peace Corps Volunteers, Micronesians living abroad, educators and other friends of each state become part of this people-to-people effort.
The 2026–27 awards have been made. The work of building the next four-state scholarship class begins now.
Help create the next opportunity! https://habele.org/donate/
