OMNIS Scholarship

Receiving this scholarship would make a life-changing difference for me, not just financially, but mentally and emotionally. During my time at Chemeketa Community College, I was fortunate to receive a soccer scholarship, the Oregon Promise, and the Pell Grant. These resources allowed me to stay in school without needing to worry about paying bills, helping me afford gas, food, and basic housing expenses. I was able to focus on getting good grades and completing the classes I needed to transfer. But now, as I prepare to attend Western Oregon University, most of that support is no longer available to me. I recently learned I will not be receiving the Pell Grant for the upcoming year. That came as a huge shock, especially because I’ve always counted on FAFSA to help pay for my education. Without it, I’m not just worried about paying for tuition, I’m worried about how I’ll afford textbooks, supplies, transportation, and even rent. My family works extremely hard, but they’ve never been in a position to help financially with college. Every dollar has always gone toward keeping a roof over our heads and food on the table. That’s why this scholarship matters so much. If I am awarded this scholarship, I will use the money to cover essential costs like tuition, books, and academic materials. It would allow me to stay enrolled full-time without needing to take on a heavy work schedule, which would make it harder to succeed in my classes. It would help me avoid student loans, something I’m trying to do because I’ve seen firsthand how debt can derail people’s futures. Most importantly, it would give me peace of mind. Knowing that I can afford to stay in school and work toward my degree would take a huge amount of stress off me and my family. This scholarship would also directly support my long-term goals. I’m majoring in psychology because I want to work with people and help others overcome challenges in their lives, just like I’ve been working to overcome mine. My plan is to earn my bachelor’s degree at Western and eventually go on to get my master’s. I’m the first in my family to pursue higher education at this level, and I’m determined to break cycles of debt, struggle, and limited opportunity. But I know I can’t do it alone. With this scholarship, I would be able to stay focused on my education, stay on track to graduate, and ultimately reach my goal of becoming a professional in the mental health field. It would allow me to keep pushing forward despite financial setbacks, and it would be a sign that people believe in my potential. That alone would mean everything to me.