Before graduating from High School, I was always filled with worry that I wouldn’t be able to attend a four-year university without going into debt. The Federal Pell Grant gave me the chance to pursue a four-year college degree that the rest of my family wasn’t able to obtain.
Carmen
UW-Milwaukee
“Growing up with not much funds, aid has helped me so much. I’m almost finished with school, and I would have not been able to without it.”
Shanya N.
UW-Milwaukee
I funded around half of my college education (one year at UW-Stevens Point and three years at UW-Madison) though financial aid. I was given the opportunity to graduate with a B.A. in Zoology in 2005. After this I stayed with UW-Madison and have been working there and serving the community since (current year 2025). Since graduating I have held positions at the WNPRC, Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. Financial aid was a critical tool for me to be able to afford my college education and responsible for my success today.
Sarah B.
UW-Madison
“I did receive Pell Grants for a time during my enrollment at UW-Green Bay. I also received federal loans and additional monies/scholarships from my employer and a few scholarships from UWGB. Without this funding, I never would have been able to finish my education when I did. There are so many barriers for students, and everyone’s situation is unique and variable. “
Christina H.
UW-Green Bay
“With the generous support of the Pell Grant, it is my pleasure to attend UW-Stout, where I’ve served in the Student Government, the Student Newspaper, and worked for University Housing as an RA. I’ve been able to do some great things for my university and my community, and without the support of the Pell Grant, I probably wouldn’t have been able to do any of those things. The Pell Grant is an investment in the future of our nation, and by continuing your support, you can help ensure that America remains the leader in business, engineering, and science. Thank you for your support!”
Nicholas T.
UW-Stout (B.S. Mechanical Engineering/B.S. Manufacturing Engineering)
Coming out of high school, I had no savings to speak of and nothing to my name. The Pell Grant helped me get started at UW by reducing the financial barrier to higher education, especially since I was homeless for most of my freshman year. I became the first person in my immediate family to earn a 4-year degree.
Jimmie K.
UW-Superior
“As a Federal Pell Grant recipient, I know firsthand how life-changing this support is for students pursuing higher education. As a low-income, first-generation student, I spent the summer before attending UW–Stout consumed with worry. How could someone like me without financial security or a college-going family possibly afford to attend?
At times, college felt like a dream reserved for students from two-parent, financially stable households. But Pell Grants made that dream real. This program helped cover my educational costs and allowed me to focus on my degree, work multiple on-campus jobs, and take on leadership roles that have connected me deeply to my campus community.
I’m not alone. On my campus, 42% of students rely on financial aid to keep going. Like so many across the country, we’re working hard to defy statistics that are too often stacked against us. A college degree is one of the few tools we have to change our lives and Pell Grants are a key part of making that possible.
Protect Pell, Invest in future”
Sophia M.
UW-Stout (B.S. Applied Social Science – History & Politics Concentration)
“After having the opportunity to fund a portion of my college education through financial aid, this lifted a large financial burden off my shoulders. I was able to enjoy my time at school because of this, even though I continued to work extra hours at my off-campus job. After graduation in May 2025, I was put into the workforce without overwhelming amounts of student loans. This will allow me to hopefully have the chance to give back to others who have financial burdens, like myself, for higher education.”
Daniel C.
UW-Whitewater
“Faced with divorce and needing to support myself on my own at age 51 after being a SAHM for 20 years was daunting because I hadn’t finished my degree years earlier. Life threw me a few curveballs on the way and it just hadn’t happened. I had to move in with my mom, I couldn’t get hired for anything but part-time retail, not enough to live on. After 35 years, I returned to UW-La Crosse to finish the bachelor’s degree I started in 1988. I couldn’t have done that without Pell grants. Education has opened so many doors for me, and I plan to help keep the doors open for those who come after me, and help them succeed in any way I can.”
Tracie B.
UW-La Crosse
“Coming from a low-income household, college always felt just out of reach. That changed when I received my financial aid package and saw the Pell Grant would help cover most of the cost. Without that support, I truly wouldn’t have been able to attend. Financial aid allowed me to focus on my education instead of worrying about how to afford it. I got involved on campus, earned both my undergraduate and graduate degrees, and found my path in higher education. My time at UW-Oshkosh shaped who I am today, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities it gave me.”
Clara H.
UW-Oshkosh (Human Services program and Educational Leadership Master’s program)
