Student Aid Success Stories

These personal stories from students at Jesuit institutions throughout the country are representative of the success of federal student aid programs.

These stories reflect the tremendous need for maintaining a $5,550 Pell Grant maximum award, and preserving campus-based aid, such as the Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant Program (SEOG), Federal Work Study Program (FWS), Perkins Loan Program, and the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnerships Program (LEAP).

College of the Holy Cross

Without the help of the Financial Aid program I would not be able to attend Holy Cross and pursue my career goals to better my life and the lives of those in my household and community, The financial Aid program has opened a door of opportunity that would have otherwise been shut leaving myself and many others like me without the resources to further our education and progress in society. The loss of such program can not only affect the future of the individual dependent on financial aid but the future of our nation itself. – Jose Paz '12

I come from a lower class family and a first generation college future graduate due to financial assistance. My siblings were not able to attend colleges although they had the intellectual capacity to do so. I am a product of change and the realization of the American Dream to those in my community. What once was the child of two immigrant workers is not a student of one of the most prestigious colleges in the nation. As much as I would like to say that it was all due to personal academic success, it was not. I couldn't and will not be able to continue without the funds of financial aid. – Gabriel Fernandez

Federal student aid has been ESSENTIAL in enabling me to attend Holy Cross. My parents' combined annual net income is less than the total cost of tuition, room and board, and fees here at Holy Cross. I am heavily dependant upon Federal Financial aid and personal responsibility to maintain a GPA requisite for merit-based scholarship. I can't imagine having to leave Holy Cross because I can't afford it. I honestly don't know what I would do. Please take this into consideration before deciding to make any cuts to the budget. – Gregory H. Totino, '14

If I did not receive the aid that I have now, I would not be here at this prestigious college. My funding for next year is still in question, for if my financial aid is decreased in any way. I would not be able to be here where I have made myself a home and am getting an excellent education. – Olivia Benzan-Daniel, ‘14

I just wanted to reply in regards of the financial aid issue. There is no way I could have come to holy cross if I didn't receive the amazing financial aid package I did. My family could Not afford to send me here. I am getting such a great education that wouldn't had been possible without the federal funding. – Emely Ventura

I come from a single parent home, and it would have been impossible for me to come to Holy Cross if federal funding had not been in place. My mother cannot work, and attending school is vital to my success. – Quinesha Tillman

My attendance at this college is completely dependent upon federal funding. Holy Cross has many great opportunities, but I would not have been able to be a part of any of them without federal aid. Tuition is extremely expensive and we just cannot afford to go here without aid. It would be a terrible experience if I had to transfer for my final year at Holy Cross. This school has given me so much, and all of that would go to waste if I were not able to graduate with a Holy Cross degree next year. Unfortunately, without aid, my prospects of graduating from Holy Cross will be gone. – Chad Desharnais

Simply put, without federal funding I would not be here at Holy Cross. But, to expand on that federal funding has helped me in a number of different ways:

1. Federal Loans are interest-free. Students do not want to be saddle with debt after graduations, especially for those like myself who plan on going onto graduate school.
2. Federal Grants. Same idea as reason #1.
3. I have a Clavius Scholarship for studying chemistry at the College. I believe the Scholarship is from the NIH, which is an agency of the government. More importantly, there is a general interest for the nation to push people to study math and the physical sciences. Federal funding is an attractive way to help push people toward that path. Better example is that the government would pay for anyone's tuition and give them a stipend if they pursue a degree in the sciences and do research. – Kevin Le '12

As a first-generation, only child of a single mother living on an annual income of less than $13,000, I am grateful every day for the federal funding that has made it possible for me to attend and be a proud student at the College of the Holy Cross. I live about 15 minutes north of Boston and went to a great public school that allowed me to come face to face with all types of diversity from the people I've met to the experiences I've gained. Coming from a pretty urban area and struggling with our financial strains, I considered it lucky to have such a unique and beneficial high school experience. I wanted to bring those experiences to Holy Cross, and to further expand them here. It's only possible for me to do so with the help of federal funding, so if these funds were cut, I'm sure mine and many other students' opportunities at such a great school will also be taken away. – Ginny Do ‘13

Creighton University

At Creighton University, a private, Jesuit Catholic university in Omaha, Neb., more than 90 percent of students receive financial assistance to pay tuition, whether it is through scholarships, grants, or loans. For many students, these grants and loans are what allow them to come to Creighton. As a private institution, tuition is often higher than many public institutions; yet students who recognize the value of a Jesuit education work hard to come here.

Veronica Rottinghaus is a freshman at Creighton University from Seneca, Kan. who receives government grants to pay for her education. She lives on a dairy farm with her parents and is the youngest of twelve children. Her parents never attended college, but they have always emphasized the importance of education.

“One of the things my mom and dad always said is that because they couldn’t go to college, they would do whatever they needed to so that we could have a good college education,” Veronica said. “They wanted it to be Catholic, and they said they didn’t care about debt. They have never said we couldn’t go someplace if we really wanted to, even if it was expensive.”

As a result, nine of Veronica’s 11 siblings have graduated from college. Most of her siblings went to Catholic institutions, while a few of her brothers attended public schools to save money.

“They were willing to pay whatever,” Veronica said. “But as a result, we are in a lot of debt right now. Farmers are always in debt, but if they hadn’t sent us they would be better off.”

Because they chose to pay for their children’s educations, Veronica’s father, 73 and mother, 65, have had to postpone retirement. In 2008, grain prices increased, and as a result, milk prices went down. Veronica’s family lost close to $50,000. Still, her parents were determined to send her to college in the fall of 2010.

As a senior in high school, Veronica knew she wanted to attend college, just as nine of her older siblings had done before her. She tirelessly filled out scholarship applications and financial aid forms. After receiving grants and scholarships, she decided to attend Creighton, where one of her sisters had gone to school.

“If we didn’t get that financial aid, I could have still gone here, but it would have been a lot harder for my parents to make ends meet,” she said. “My mom works part-time at another job, and she was going to start working full-time. On top of that, she already works on the farm. She gets up at 4 a.m. and works at night as well, “she added.

Spencer Steffen, another freshman at Creighton, is from Crofton, a small town in northern Nebraska. He is the first person in his family to go to a four-year college. His parents both graduated from two-year colleges and his oldest brother, who has Down syndrome and is autistic, never attended college.

As a senior, Spencer knew that he would have to get government funding in order to go to school. His parents, who own a propane business, could not afford to send him to Creighton, so he applied for as many scholarships as possible.

“When you come from a small high school, you don’t really get a lot of big scholarships,” he said. “You get small local ones, but I really wanted to come to Creighton.”

After receiving his financial aid package and Pell grants from the government, Spencer realized that it would be possible to attend Creighton. He has taken out student loans and works at the Creighton University Medical Center to pay for the remainder of his tuition.

“I work hard to pay for school, but without all of the grants and financial aid, I would probably not be going to school at Creighton,” he said.

Fordham University

Juan Duran is a senior at Fordham University, Lincoln Center, studying Natural Science. Upon graduation he plans to attend medical school. He graduated from Mount Saint Michael Academy in Spring 2007 and began his studies at Fordham University that summer. As a freshman, he was chosen to attend the National Student Leadership Conference, and in 2008 was selected to participate in a six-week Summer Medical and Dental Program at Yale University. Most recently, Juan traveled to New Orleans in Spring 2010 with Fordham’s Global Outreach program. In 2010, Juan also completed the Summer Research Program at the University of Albany; this same year he received a Certificate of Merit during his completion of the CSTEP Internship Program with College of Optometry at the State University of New York. An active volunteer and advocate, Juan has served as an Ambassador for the Mentoring in Medicine Community Health, where he helps to promote healthy lifestyles among the Harlem population, and has worked as a tutor for the College Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) at the Rose Hill campus of Fordham University. Juan is the youngest of five children; three of his sisters are college graduates. Despite his parent’s separation in 1993, Juan still maintains contact with his father and attributes his academic success to his family’s support. Juan receives a Pell grant, SEOG, FWS, Stafford Loans, University assistance and NY state aid.

Norsy Jimenez is a senior at Fordham University, Lincoln Center, studying Sociology. Upon graduation she plans to pursue studies in the School of Social Work. She graduated from Aquinas High School in Spring 2007 and began her studies at Fordham that summer. In 2008 she was chosen to attend the National Student Leadership Conference. Norsy has worked as both a tutor for the College Science and Technology Program (CSTEP) at Fordham University and as a paid intern at Fordham Bedford Housing CORP since Fall 2009. Most recently, Norsy was accepted into the Social Work Program at Fordham, a highly competitive dual major program in which undergraduates complete graduate courses and a 600-hours year-long field practicum and seminar in combination with the requirements of another major. An only child, in November 2010 Norsy’s mother lost her battle to breast cancer for which she was diagnosed in 1999. Throughout this difficult time Norsy persevered in her endeavors and maintained good academic standing. Norsy could not attend Fordham had it not been for receiving a Pell grant, SEOG, FWS, institutional aid, and NY state grants.

Georgetown University

Jose Vazquez came to the United States from Cuba in 2001 through the U. S. visa lottery. He came with his mother, a single parent, who is now a nursing assistant in a small hospital in Hialeah, Florida. Jose was an honor student at Hialeh High School, and then studied at Miami Dade Community College through a specially designed program focused on especially promising young people to broaden their horizons and prepare them for highly ranked colleges and universities. After earning a 4.0 at Miami Dade, Jose applied to transfer to Georgetown and major in government. He has a financial aid package that includes the maximum Pell Grant and Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, as well as a Federal Work Study job as a translator at Georgetown University Hospital. He also receives a sizable Georgetown scholarship plus Stafford and Perkins Loans. Jose has a 3.5 GPA and will be graduating in December, 2011. Jose’s plan is to pursue a law degree and, ultimately, serve as a judge.

Cody Ling grew up in Chatham, Massachusetts on Cape Cod, a destination many of us know as a popular vacation destination. Raised in the midst of a difficult divorce, Cody focused his energies on academics and activities outside of his home. He enjoyed substantial success and even, having started two businesses, became the youngest member of the Chatham Chamber of Commerce. He found out early on the importance of financial aid in pursuing his academic dreams; he was fortunate to be admitted to the prestigious Exeter Academy for high school with his education fully covered. When he was admitted to Georgetown, again, financial aid made it possible for him to accept the offer of admission. He has received not only a very generous Georgetown Scholarship, but nearly $42,000 in federal funds (Federal Pell, Federal SEOG, Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant, Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan), and nearly $2,000 in state funds (MassGrant) over his four years at Georgetown. “While my aggregate financial aid is much larger when you include university aid,” he says, “it’s around the margins that make a difference. There’s no way I would be able to attend the caliber of institution that I do without the federal aid programs. It gives me hope for future generations that anyone can come from humble beginnings and still achieve greatness in our society.” Cody will be the first in his family to graduate college this May from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University where he majored in Finance & Management, Leadership, and Innovation, focused on Strategy & Entrepreneurship, and is expected to graduate Cum Laude. Cody is exploring careers in finance and consulting but says his true passion is to start up his third business in mobile phone application programming. Cody is also working to create a website to guide students through the financial aid process given its complexities. “I’ve worked very hard and have had a lot of help along the way. Without the financial aid I’ve been fortunate to receive, I would not be where I am today.”

Kelsey Hendricks is a junior at Georgetown University majoring in American Studies. Her life began in an affluent Texas suburb, but in 2001 Kelsey’s father lost his job. He bounced from job to job, which took a toll on everything including her parents’ marriage ending in divorce in 2003. After filing for bankruptcy, her mother moved to Louisville, Kentucky, with Kelsey and her sister. Fortunately, their grandfather was able to help them with housing which was essential on her mother’s $15,000 salary as an assistant librarian at the school Kelsey attended. As Kelsey started thinking about college – something that was seen as a given in her life several years before, it felt more like a distant dream than something that was possible. But Kelsey had done well in school achieving above a 4.0 GPA on top of numerous extracurricular activities including serving as president of both the Beta Club and SADD, so she went ahead and applied, thinking that it wouldn’t be possible. Fortunately, thanks to her Pell Grant, Federal Work Study job in the Undergraduate Admissions Office, a Stafford Loan and a sizable Georgetown Scholarship, her dream, that she thought was dashed because of the 180° turn in her life, is on track. After she graduates next year, her plan is to attend law school and hopefully go into non-profit law.

John Carroll University

My name is Odell Brown. I am a junior here at John Carroll University and I will be the first person in my entire family to graduate from a four year university. Breaking the molds in my life and helping others do the same are my biggest passions, which embodies my decision to study English Education. My goal is to educate and inspire talented youth that will use their knowledge, character, and humanity to build a legacy of commitment and service to their community and profession. I know reaching one student will help others, and cultivate a legacy of mentorship. Teaching is my passion, English is the vehicle I will use to drive the next generation to be all they can be. I have truly been blessed with the opportunity to attend a private and prominent school like John Carroll University. The people I have met and the relationships I have formed are truly priceless. Seeing as to how my EFC is “0” financial aid is what got me into the door at John Carroll. Since I have been here, I have worked as a Tour Guide, recreation desk attendant, Intramural referee, Resident Assistant, and Orientation leader all in order to do my part in paying for my education. I am literally doing as much as I can right now. If the Pell Grant (or other aid) is substantially reduced there are no other viable venues I could pursue to both work and perform well as a full-time student. I need this grant in order to continue in my collegiate career.

Lino DeSapri II is a freshman planning to graduate in four years with a major in Middle Childhood Education. Lino's mom's job was in the mortgage lending business, she has been unemployed for two years. She is returning to school to complete a nursing degree. Dad did not show income for 2010, family adjusted gross income is $15,123. Lino expressed his need for federal and state aid (his PELL now at $5550. and OCOG at $1848.)He is certain he may not be able to attend JCU without this aid. He is a football player and resides in Concord, Ohio. He said he could possibly commute to JCU to help reduce cost but he's not sure that would be enough to compensate for the loss of this much needed federal and state aid. We could be losing a solid student and athlete. Late notice on the loss of this funding will be devestating to many of our students such as Lino.

Jennylee Gandarilla is from Bridgeport, CT – moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 2005. She became pregnant in her senior of high school. She was the first in her class to graduate after having a child. Jenny sought out JCU on her own to pursue her degree in Early Childhood Education. She is a junior and is 3 semesters away from graduating. It is the institutional aid and the federal aid that makes the JCU experience possible. Jennylee has also taken advantage of student employment. She is a valued and reliable employee of the Enrollment Division. Jennylee says could not attend any school without the institutional aid she receives here at JCU. She is not sure if she could even afford a public school if federal and state aid were both cut, or reduced. She is a single mother of a three year old boy with no parental support. She says she would probably have to work full-time and return to school once financially able, if that ever happened. She would definitely not be able to attend John Carroll.

Loyola Marymount University

As a full-time student, a husband and a father of two children, Miguel Alex Centeno ’11 knows a lot about balancing priorities. His son, Baylen, 3, and daughter, Olivia, six months, keep his to-do list always at capacity. The secret to his success:

“Coffee, lots of coffee,” Centeno said, “and a lot of hard-nosed discipline. You have a lot more responsibilities when you have a family to come home to at the end of the day.”

This past summer, Centeno worked in an internship at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles as a recipient of a William Fitzgerald Summer Grant. The grant, funded by Professor Emeritus William Fitzgerald, supports student internships and volunteer opportunities.

“I’m very grateful to be at a university that pushes its students out of the classroom to get real-world experience,” Centeno said. “What good is college education if you can’t use it?” Centeno receives a Pell grant, CAL grant aid and a Stafford loan that made it possible for him to attend college.

LAFLA provides civil legal services to poor and low-income people in Los Angeles County. Centeno volunteered at the Inglewood Courthouse branch of LAFLA’s Self Help Legal Access Center. His responsibilities included completing legal documents and paperwork, and helping to determine client needs while working alongside a supervising attorney. Centeno found the eight-week internship to be educational and sobering.

“It was a very hands-on and raw experience. The legal system doesn’t accommodate people who can’t afford it,” Centeno said. “It was very touching and sad to watch people who didn’t understand the procedures or how to maneuver the complex legal system.”

Centeno’s plans include pursuing grad school and a career in the economics field. He credits Loyola Marymount University with providing him with the inspiration to achieve his goals.

Loyola University Chicago

Evan Garza is a freshman at Loyola University Chicago, majoring in Forensic Science, with a GPA of 3.29. Evan’s mother is the only parent and she is no longer working due to disability. Unemployment benefits are the only source of income and she has applied for Social Security Disability Income. This family has three children in college and is receiving the maximum benefits in all programs.

Overall, Evan’s financial assistance consists of:
Federal Grants (Pell Grant, Academic Competitiveness Grant and SEOG) - $7,300
State of Illinois Grant - $4,843
Loyola institutional Grants and Scholarships - $21,811

Evan also has $11,500 in federal student loans, including additional unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans, as his mother was denied on an application for a Federal PLUS Loan. Clearly, all forms of assistance are key to Evan’s continued enrollment at Loyola. The $750 in Academic Competitiveness Grant received this year will not be continued next year, as that program ends after the 2010-2011 academic year. If the Federal Pell Grant was lowered and the SEOG eliminated, there are no family resources in position to provide an additional $2000 in assistance and cover the costs of attendance.

Christina Ford is a sophomore at Loyola University Chicago, majoring in Sociology. Her GPA is 2.971. Her family situation is one of a single parent, her mother. The mother was working when Christina began at Loyola, earning just over $35,000 per year. Christina’s mother is now a displaced worker, as her place of business closed in June 2010. Her employer paid healthcare and salary through June 30, 2010. The timing was difficult for Christina, as this occurred after her freshman year had ended and after enrolling for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Before the job change, Christina was eligible for a Federal Pell Grant of $1,600. After considering the special circumstances associated with the job change, Christina’s Federal Pell Grant is $5,500 per year. Also as a result of the special circumstances, Christina received $1,000 in SEOG assistance.

Overall, Christina’s financial assistance consists of:
Federal Grants (Pell and SEOG) - $6,500
State of Illinois Grant - $4,843
Loyola institutional Grants and Scholarships - $14,631

Christina also has student loans and is employed as a Federal Work Study employee. She has a position as an off-campus tutor through a Community Service organization, to earn funds to assist with the costs of attendance. Clearly, all forms of assistance are key to Christina’s continued enrollment at Loyola. If the Federal Pell Grant was lowered and the SEOG eliminated, there are no family resources in position to cover an additional $2,000 and cover the costs of attendance.

Regis University

Anna Hummel once predicted the future. On a visit to Regis University, the then high school senior, told her mother that Regis was the school she would end up attending. It was the first school they’d visited, and the price tag was well out of range, so Anna’s mother encouraged her not to make a decision until they’d finished their college circuit.

But something about Regis felt right. The sense of community. The small size, ensuring she would be more than just a number. The strong academic reputation. And the feeling that she might finally have the opportunity to come home. Anna and her family had moved from Colorado to Kansas seven years earlier, but Anna had never forgotten the dry climate, the sunshine and the ever-present mountains.

Regis was the perfect fit for her. There was only one problem. As the child of a single mother, there was no way she could afford it. So, despite good grades and high motivation, she expected to end up at the local community college. That all changed when she was awarded a Pell Grant.

The Pell Grant gave Anna the opportunity to come home. “I wouldn’t be at Regis if it wasn’t for the Pell,” Anna says. “I am so grateful.”

The Pell Grant provided Anna with the opportunity to succeed. She’d always been interested in the human mind. Desired to understand people. Wanted to know what made them tick, what motivated them to act. That desire, a strong inclination toward science and a certain well-known television series, got Anna interested in the field of forensics. Today she is studying for a double major in psychology and sociology with a minor in criminology.

The Pell Grant provided Anna with the opportunity to serve. “Regis encourages students to help people in their communities. Helping people is a big part of what I want to do,” she says. “Service to the community is also one of the ways students pay back grants and other scholarships.”

A semester and a half into college has confirmed that Regis is where Anna was meant to be. She feels so fortunate to have been given the chance. “There are so many students out there who need these grants,” she says. “Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to pay for college and right now jobs are really hard to come by. I’m very blessed.”

Anna Hummel once predicted the future. That prediction was realized by way of the Pell Grant, and as a result, Anna’s future has never looked brighter.

Santa Clara University

As a student at Santa Clara University and a recipient of various forms of scholarships and grants, I understand what it is like to have to pay your own way to get something you want. However, with the fragile state of the economy and the failing of the majority of the small business private sector, my family has been hit especially hard. My father’s small business is currently bankrupt, and our family barely sustains itself on my mother’s income as an executive assistant. It has become increasingly difficult to gather up the funds that I require attending SCU, and it indeed would not be possible without the assistance of both the University itself and the federal government. While my PELL Grant Award of $1,200 may seem nominal, our family physically cannot afford to make up that difference in addition to the amount we are already required to pay for school. If the PELL Program is discontinued, which I fear it might be, I will no longer possess the necessary funding to attend Santa Clara University, and I may be forced to withdraw. As unfortunate as this situation is, it is a reality not only for me but for countless other students whose families are struggling just to make ends meet. I am imploring whoever is the recipient of this appeal to reconsider the discontinuation of the PELL Grant Program in the hopes that they will recognize that this is a worthwhile investment in the future of our country. – Austin Tompkins

I am writing this letter in regards to the possible reduction of the federal pell grant. I am a freshman student at Santa Clara University and my parents wish to support me with my college education to the best of their abilities. However, this is difficult to as they have started a new business in the last couple of years thus dropping their amount of income. With such a low income, it is nearly impossible for them to assist me and my older brother with the paying of our college education. Last year when I had to make university selection, financial aid made the biggest impact imaginable; it literally enabled me, to attend a university with the caliber and cost of Santa Clara University. If I had not been given this assistance, especially the federal Pell grant, I would definitely not be able to attend Santa Clara University. I would probably be a part time community college student working full time instead to raise the money that my parents, who have suffered through the tough economic times, unfortunately are without. They simply do not have the money to pay for an SCU education or even a UC or state college education for two college students, my brother and myself.

"The Pell Grant was the final factor, in addition to other financial aid, that has enabled my brother and me the opportunity to get the education we worked hard in high school to deserve and that my parents always wanted for us. Without this entire $5,500 from the pell grant, my brother and I would definitely not be able to have both attended SCU. It might not be the hugest part of our near $39, 900 tuition, but it was huge factor because without it my whole tuition amount would not have been covered. My parents simply did not have any funds to pay this $5,500 for two students, let alone to pay even a$1,000. The pell grant essentially has enabled me to attend SCU and without I simply could not. A decrease in a $1,000 or any amount of less or more would put me and family in a position of not being able to pay the cost of my tuition. My school cannot offer us anymore funding, and so this would mean my brother and I would either have to drop out of SCU or be a half-time students until we worked for the rest of the tuition cost. Either way it would have a huge negative effect. My family, and the many others like us, appreciate and depend on grants like the pell grant and without it our lives really will be changed for the worst. Everybody deserves a chance to excel to the best of their abilities through the opportunity of a college education. Some may never get this opportunity, like my brother and I, without the help funds like the federal pell grant. With this said, when making decisions on cutting federal financial aid, please keep in mind how any amount of money, can really impact a student’s life. Keep in mind the huge significance this aid makes to students across the country, like my brother and I." – Harlene Grewal

"Federal Aid has played an immense role in getting to where I am today. When I was accepted to Santa Clara University and I received the aid letter, I was upset by the data. I wasn’t receiving any aid beyond the grants and loans from Santa Clara. I had previously applied for a Wells Fargo Scholarship and was entered for the CAL grant. Unfortunately, I received negative responses from both sides. Santa Clara aid was all I could rely on. However, as generous as the reward from Santa Clara University, it was still a great margin off of tuition costs. At this point I was convinced that Santa Clara University was out of my league. However, after some guidance from the Santa Clara University Financial Aid Counselors, I reapplied for the CAL Grant made some adjustments and the aid came through, enabling me to take on the role of a Santa Clara University Student.

"The Pell Grant and other federal aid that I received and continue to receive are essential to fulfilling my education at Santa Clara University. If the fund of $1,000 dollars is cut, it will make it harder for me and my family to afford the costs of attending Santa Clara University. This is because with our previous situation as a middle income family we were already having a little trouble getting by. But, a few months back, my father recently lost his job and is currently looking fro new employment. The $1,000 dollars will be detrimental to the decisions I will have make within the next few years to come. I want to acknowledge once again how important this aid is to me and how much it has granted opportunities and affected my standing as a Santa Clara University Student." – Sabah Jaka

University of San Francisco

Like many students, I depend on the Cal Grant in order to attend college. I do not take my education lightly, and have been on the Dean's Honor roll the past two semesters. Last semester I took 20 units in order to further my education and graduate on time, and I will continue to sacrifice my time and efforts to foster my learning. I am a Fine Arts Major, with a double minor of Communications and Gender and Sexuality studies. As you can gather, I love learning and want to continue to have the opportunity to do so. I do not take for granted the financial aid I receive, and truly apply it directly to my schooling. I feel incredibly lucky to have the financial means mixed with my determination to do well in life.

This is not how every young person feels. I grew up in Monterey Park, California before I moved to an area with a better schooling system. My friends from Monterey Park all attend East Los Angeles City College part time, and take whatever classes that are available, usually none of which apply to a field that they wish to pursue a career in. My best friend, who is 20, has a one year old son, has told me time and time again how truly lucky I am to have the opportunity to attend USF. She works full time at Baskin Robbins and takes one sign language class a week at ELAC. Not everyone has the opportunity to study at a school like USF, and I do not take this fact lightly.

Without the Cal Grant, I too may have had to attend East Los Angeles City College. In high school I worked full time as a sales associate at American Apparel, and would usually get home at 11 pm and start my homework I balanced a 40 hour work-week with school work my senior year, all in the hopes that the money I earned would pay for college. My mother, a full time school district health filer, takes several side jobs of caring for various people's pets while they go on vacation, as well as selling tickets for high school basketball games, and reading the SATs on Saturdays in order to help me pay for school. With my money from work and my mother's contributions, we still can hardly cover a fraction of my education.

My story and struggles as a young student are not unique, but I hope that from knowing what I sacrifice in order to attend USF, [CA legislators] will protect the Cal Grant Funding. There are so many of us that fight profusely for this chance to better ourselves, and in turn, better the world. I chose to go to USF when I first read their Mission Statement, and I want to do them justice and continue to strive for the vision of producing minds for a more just and humane world. [CA legislators] have the means to make this goal a reality. – Chelsea Javier