If you know me, you know I am a very goal oriented person. I always strive to do better and better no matter what it is I decide to set my focus on. Throughout high school, I have worked several jobs (sometimes two at one time) in order to try and save up for my future. From my high school jobs, all I hope for is enough money in my savings account to feel comfortable while also leaving myself enough to spend and enjoy. Career-wise, I hope to become an accountant someday. I have always been very good with numbers and statistics, so going down this career path seemed very fitting to me. Another big reason I chose the accounting world is because not only will I be doing something I am good at, but I will also be making a very good income for the family I want to have someday. Now that I have my eyes set on the accounting world, I’m well prepared to start my studies at Spring Arbor University to get my degree in financial planning. While Spring Arbor is a quite expensive college costing around $42,000 annually, I will be getting $20,000 between my academics and golf, and also hope to receive lots more from state and local scholarships. It will be a grueling process, taking 4-5 years for me to complete my studies, but from being in high school for 4 years, you learn that time flies very quickly. Although it will be quite the process, I know it will be worth it in the long run. One of the biggest reasons I chose Spring Arbor is because of the amount of support the faculty gives you. There are always advisors and tutors there to help you struggling in any class that you have, and I believe that will be a huge advantage towards me completing my degree. For the people close to me, they know I am a very simple person. I don’t need much in my life to be happy. All I hope for someday is a paid-off house on a couple hundred acres, a truck that runs, a family that I can love and provide for, and a couple of dogs. I believe the harder I work early in life to stay out of debt and build up my personal wealth, the easier it will be to enjoy things like this later in life. I don’t want to spend my whole life worrying about when my next paycheck will come in, I want to have security in knowing that my family is financially stable and independent. When I get older, I want my finances to be in a place where I can play as much golf as I please without having to worry about it breaking the bank. All in all, I just want a financially independent life so that I can enjoy the little things God has created for us to enjoy.

My name is Aaron Velding and I grew up in the small town of Belding. In our town, having money is not the norm for families, and we definitely fit into the normal category. I did not grow up dirt poor, but my family does not have much margin for fun and exciting things, let alone help pay for tuition. I am attending Spring Arbor University in the fall of 2024, and after scholarships I am left with 12 thousand dollars yearly I would have to pay out of pocket. I have been working my butt off trying to save up enough to pay for college in cash, but with having to help out with costs around the house I don’t think I will have enough to cover the full 12 thousand. It is because of generous scholarships like this that I believe I will be able to get my education fully funded and start my life headed in the right direction. I want to change the narrative that has been in my family for so long of not having much money, and the first step to that is to graduate from college debt free. With this scholarship, I can get one step closer to that final goal of not having any debt. Without college debt, I will be able to start my life off on the right foot, being able to save money immediately for a house instead of paying off my loans. Growing up in a low income household and town, I have dedicated myself to learning all the ins and outs of being financially responsible and independent. One of the most common trends I see in articles, books, podcasts, etc. is to not have college debt to start your adult life. This scholarship would help me greatly in getting closer and closer to that goal of financial independence. I believe the gift of financial indpendence and financial peace are two of the greatest gifts someone like me could receive, and it has greatly to do with generous individuals and groups like you. I thank you greatly for considering me for this scholarship, as it would mean more than you'd ever know to me. It won' only be beneficial for me, but also for my family in the future, as I could rest assured knowing I am able to provide for them and not throw money at student loans. Thank you again and God Bless.