Low-Income Student Scholarship

My greatest achievement was going back to school and getting my first 4.0 GPA, despite all of the obstacles I had to overcome to get there. Going back to school was the best decision of my life. I am a former college dropout that has returned to school with a different outlook on the importance of education. Before last semester, I hadn’t taken a college course in 7 years. Now that I have lived in our society without an education, I understand the importance of earning a college degree. I didn’t understand the value of having a degree and how receiving a college education could determine how my future will be. Growing up school was never my strong suit. I understood the material being taught; I was just a lazy student. This carried on into my college career right after graduating high school. The lack of discipline in myself when entering college ultimately caused me to give up on school multiple times. I would use every excuse in the book to drop classes or just not go to class. The semester that I officially dropped out, my father went into hospice and passed away. After losing my father, I was lost in depression and mourning. I did not believe in myself or that I could achieve my goals. I just lost my number one cheerleader. I worked a part-time job and found that to be just enough to get me by. It wasn’t until I faced being homeless, living out of a hotel, and enduring an abusive boyfriend; that I realized that there was more to life. In the following years, I struggled to figure out what I genuinely wanted to do with my life. I hopped from dead-end job to dead-end job, but still coming up short. It wasn't until I finally made a friend, at one of these jobs, that encouraged me to go back to school and pursue the life I have been working so hard for. After a lifetime of struggling, I am now a full-time student and working full-time. While I do have a full plate, I have still managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA despite the obstacles thrown in my way. This scholarship would be put to good use and be given to someone that appreciates the struggles of life and earning a higher education. This scholarship would help relieve the stress of juggling my bills while still working full time and attending school full time. I went from being homeless with my abuser to living paycheck to paycheck and finally made it back to pursuing higher education. For years I was embarrassed by my trials and tribulations; now, I have a newfound appreciation for these trials and tribulations. I have found my independence and strength within myself that I wouldn’t have found otherwise. These obstacles have helped me appreciate the opportunities that have entered my life and the second chance at life that I have. This scholarship would be life-changing and help me create a fresh start and a brighter future.