“Having to support myself while taking classes is extremely difficult at times, especially if I have to worry about saving money to put towards tuition. Without federal financial aid, I wouldn’t be able to continue pursuing my engineering degree.”
Lucas C.
UW-Platteville
“Financial aid has given me the opportunity to pursue higher education as a first-generation college student. By reducing the financial burden, it has allowed me to focus on my academic and personal growth without the constant stress of tuition and expenses. Without this support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Serena T.
UW-Madison
“Being able to receive federal financial aid was the deciding factor enabling me to have to opportunity to attend UW-Madison. Without the financial support, I would not have been able to afford to attend university. As a pre-med student with a lot more schooling ahead of me, being a financial aid recipient has taken so much stress off of me and given me new opportunities throughout my college journey.”
Kate S.
UW-Madison
“I would not be able to study nursing to be able to help others without federal aid. I have no family who can help pay for schooling as an independent student who has been cut off since 17.”
Ash S.
UW-Milwaukee
“Without financial aid, I would have been unable to attend college, much less to pursue a field as critical as engineering. I would have lacked the resources necessary to become a contributing citizen. Every moment that I learn, it is because financial aid is assisting me. Behind every career milestone stands financial aid. It is the foundation to a greater generation–one that learns and thrives within this country.”
Cristal S.
UW-Madison
“As a first-generation college student from a low-income household with a single parent and limited financial resources, the path to higher education has not been easy. Despite these challenges, I’ve always dreamed of pursuing a college degree in hopes of contributing to something greater than myself. Receiving financial aid, especially the Pell Grant, has been one of the most meaningful opportunities in my life. Thanks to the support of the Pell Grant, I’m able to continue working toward my goals of becoming an educator and artist. Without financial aid, achieving these dreams—both mine and those of many others—would be far less attainable.”
Jennifer D.
UW-Madison
“Back when I was applying for colleges, paying out of pocket wasn’t an option for my working-class family. My choices were get funding or don’t go. Thanks to the Pell Grant, I was able to attend UW-Green Bay and graduate as a more capable learner and engaged world citizen. Earning my bachelor’s degree empowered me to go on to a master’s at UW-Madison, something I never thought possible for myself.
Now I’m contributing to my alma mater as a staff member, building community as an elected official, and creating opportunity as a nonprofit founder. None of that would have been possible without the Pell Grant. I needed that support to break generational cycles, to climb out of poverty, to get to a place where I could make a difference. I have a dynamic, impactful life because of the education I was granted. It hurts to think that future students could be denied the opportunities that changed everything for me.”
Joey P.
UW-Green Bay
“Simply put, financial aid has allowed me to attend college without worrying that my parents would need to completely drain their pockets just so I could receive education. I got to attend for FREE with the help of financial aid and scholarships! My friends wouldn’t be in college without receiving financial aid. Reducing access to financial aid would limit students attending college greatly.”
Pedro J.
UW-Madison
“My whole life I’ve known I would rely on federal financial aid to be able to go to college. My family has several kids and not enough money to go around, so my financial aid helps make sure I have food, housing, and an education.”
Alex P.
UW-Madison
“Coming from a reservation with only my mother, I’ve always been hyper-aware of our financial struggles. During my junior year, I feared I couldn’t afford college. Thanks to UW Madison’s tribal scholarship and the Pell Grant, my dream became real. My mother and I cried with joy. Now, I hold a 4.0 GPA and am deeply grateful for the opportunity. UW Madison has given me hope, community, and a future. I desperately need continued aid—it would shatter me to lose it. Please let me continue. I won’t let you down. Thank you for listening to me.”
Miles K.
UW- Madison
