Scholarships to the Rescue

Financial constraints were the most substantial barriers to my pursuit of a higher education. Coming from a low-income Latino family, we had little financial resources to fund my college ambitions. The staggering expenses of tuition and textbooks were formidable. That is why financial and merit-based scholarships were necessary for me.

I began researching scholarship organizations that supported first-generation students and emphasized ethnic diversity. Scholarship applications required countless late hours spent drafting essays, updating personal statements, and acquiring letters of recommendation.

Although completing dozens of scholarship applications more than doubled my work (on top of the college applications!), it was the only way that I could further my dream without sinking myself into debt. I refused to give in and plowed through them.

I ultimately secured over $55,000 in scholarship funding. Yet even that wasn’t enough. I also worked part-time through a federal work-study program. These efforts not only relieved some of my financial concerns, but taught me the importance of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. I am proud to report that I graduated from college debt-free!

M.B.