“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
“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
“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
“While I started college my parents graduated with their bachelors in their 40’s. Me and my parents were navigating schooling at the same time. Coming from a single income family on a restaurant waiters income if I didn’t have federal aid college wouldn’t have been possible. Thankfully the aid I received made my college dreams true. Financial aid has allowed me to join a sorority my first year giving me my college support system and aid has covered my housing for my second year. If my aid was pulled I don’t know what my future would look like.”
Lydia M.
UW-Madison
“Without the help from financial aid there was no way that I could’ve afforded my first year. But now there’s hope for a kid like me coming from a single parent household who’s also a first generation student. Now I can go to my dream college, and pursue my dream career.”
Kylee V.
UW-Madison
“Financial aid was what even allowed me to have the chance to make something of myself. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to continue my education in order to become a therapist, which is very important to me. Without financial aid; we’re getting rid of opportunities for people.”
Mariana O.
UW-Madison
