“Throughout my time as an undergrad, I have come to truly understand and appreciate the significance of funding. Specifically, the Pell Grant has helped cover essentials such as educational materials and summer courses. Being able to fully participate in the opportunities that shape our future requires access to consistent funding. Hence, the reason why I wanted to … speak about the impact it can make in a scholar’s journey.”
Diante J.
UW-Milwaukee
“Receiving the Pell Grant made college an option for me. Without it, it would have been even harder for me to afford to get a post-secondary education, as I come from a low-income family and did not receive financial support from family. I plan to use my UWL education and further education (master’s in counseling from Viterbo University) to support children affected by traumatic experiences and help them heal.”
Ashley E.
UW-La Crosse
“Gaining a Federal Pell Grant and GI bill has helped me to succeed in school and continue getting a higher education as it helped me to be able to afford on campus housing and my tuition. Growing up with many siblings it is difficult for my parents to be able to pay for my schooling as they have many other kids that they will need to help. I was able to stay on campus and excel in my academics.”
Trinity L.
UW-Oshkosh (Biomedical Science)
“As a first-generation, low-income student, financial aid made college education possible for me. With no savings and no job in high school, affording college felt out of reach. Thanks to Pell, Wisconsin, SEOG grants, and the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars, my education at UW–Oshkosh is fully funded. This support not only removed the burden of tuition but also gave me the freedom to take on campus jobs, internships, and research opportunities.”
Amanda P.
UW-Oshkosh (BS & BSE | Political Science, Broadfield Social Science Education)
“I have used FAFSA, and it has helped me a lot with my tuition and paying for school overall. I have gotten almost a quarter of my tuition paid for this year which makes being at college less stressful. I highly recommend getting Financial aid in any way whether it is FAFSA, Pell Grants, Student loans or Scholarships. College is expensive however a college education is so important and using different scholarships, loans or federal aid help pay for your education and lower the cost of college.”
Benjamin L.
UW-Oshkosh (HR Management Major, African American Studies Minor)
“Federal financial aid, including the Pell Grant, has been essential in helping me pursue my college education. For the past two years and the upcoming year, this support has covered the majority of my schooling, reduced financial stress and allows me to focus on my studies. With additional grants, I’ve been able to stay on track toward graduation and explore opportunities that will shape my future career. Without this aid, attending college would have been significantly more difficult.”
Emma S.
UW-Oshkosh (Elementary Education)
“The Pell Grant provided the invaluable support that allowed me to fully engage in my interdisciplinary studies and surrounding community at UWL. I am now a senior revising a journal article I am preparing to publish and am now poised to pursue law school in fall 2026. Going forward, I intend on using my education to create meaningful change through public service.”
Adrian M.
UW-La Crosse
“For each of my two years at UWM, the Pell grant has helped cover about 73% of my student tuition and fees. This financial support is the reason I stayed in-state and decided to go to university in the first place. As a first-generation college student, I cannot stress how critical this has been to the success I have found both professionally and personally as it has allowed me to focus on my education and build the confidence to pursue my goals wholeheartedly.”
Amber M.
UW-Milwaukee
“Being a recipient of federal financial aid has enabled me to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a physical therapist. Without receiving federal aid, I would not be in the financial position to pursue a doctorate degree. I also know, through my work in the Office of Student Financial Aid, how Pell Grants and other forms of financial aid create opportunities that students would have never had without them. I want to ensure these same opportunities that were provided to me are provided to future students, because I know how life-changing they can be.”
Izi K.
UW-Madison (Doctor of Physical Therapy)
“My name is Kya Stanczyk and I am entering my third year at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire as a Geospatial Analysis and Technology major.
As someone who has received assistance through federal financial aid, it would be fair to say that the weight of trying to balance economic, academic, and social aspects of my life has been relieved and is far more manageable. Federal aid has allowed me to focus more on being a successful, full-time student who is able to prioritize academia and growth as a young adult as opposed to the stress of figuring out how to pay for college in the spur of the moment.
With great thanks to this financial support, I have been able to maintain a healthy social life, stay involved in my community, and receive acknowledgement for my hard work within my courses and my department. I am forever grateful for the opportunities I have been presented and have been able to accept due to federal aid alleviating my financial concerns.”
Kya S.
UW-Eau Claire (Geospatial Analysis and Technology)
