“Financial aid allowed me to stay in school, helped me find a safe place to live through Residence Life, and gave me a sense of stability when my dad died. I don’t know where I would have ended up if not for the Pell grants I received.”
Anne W.
UW-Oshkosh
“As an incoming senior at UWO, I have been able to attend and be at school thanks to financial aid. As a first-generation college student, college has always felt slightly out of reach. While some of my peers go out with friends I have to work to make ends meet. Financial aid has allowed me to succeed at UWO and allowed me to explore my interests, especially in the Radio/TV/Film program. Without aid, I would not be where I am today and I am grateful for each semester I can attend. Removing a tool such as financial aid would deny people like me a chance to receive an education that can change the trajectory of their lives.”
Kayla C
UW-Oshkosh
“I grew up in poverty, even homeless at times as a child. Federal financial aid was the only reason I could afford higher education, which allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the economy through both labor and strategic leadership.”
Nickolas G.
UW-Milwaukee
“I was a Pell Grant recipient and student worker while attending UW-Platteville from 1985-1989. This investment in my education enabled me to thrive with a 30+ year career in engineering. The revenues raised by the taxes I have paid and the ability to fund my children’s education are a direct result of the investment in my education. The ROI even after the impact of inflation is significant and continues with my contributions to the greater community economic development.”
Carol W.
UW-Platteville
“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
