Living on my own while trying to finish college has taught me a lot mostly about survival, sacrifice, and how to keep going even when things feel like they’re falling apart. I’m a junior majoring in Communications, and I’m supposed to graduate in Fall 2026. I was getting support through the VA’s Chapter 35 benefits, which helped cover my tuition and gave me some room to breathe financially. But now that those benefits have run out, it feels like the floor’s dropped out from under me. I don’t have a backup plan. I live independently not by choice, but by circumstance and every bill, meal, textbook, or emergency falls on me. I’ve applied for financial aid, and I’m holding out hope, but it’s hard not knowing what will come through. I’ve been looking for scholarships, but most either don’t cover much or are already closed. Taking out loans feels like my only option right now, but I’m trying so hard to avoid starting my post-college life already drowning in debt. Even with everything going on, I haven’t let go of what I came here for. I chose Communications because I’ve always been drawn to storytelling and helping people feel seen and heard. I want to work in public relations, ideally doing community outreach or working with nonprofits somewhere I can use my skills to bring people together, educate, and spark real conversations. I’ve seen how communication can change lives, and I want to be part of that change. That passion didn’t come out of nowhere. Over the years, I’ve been involved in a few community-based programs that really shaped me. One that meant the most was mentoring high school students who were trying to figure out their college plans. Many of them were VA students like me kids who had the drive but not always the support or resources. I remember sitting with them after school, helping them work through their essays or just talk through their fears. It reminded me so much of myself. And it reminded me that no matter how overwhelmed I felt, I still had something to give. That experience gave me purpose when I needed it most. I think that’s why I keep pushing. I know what it feels like to not have a safety net. And I know what it means when someone reaches out and says, “I believe in you.” That’s what this scholarship would mean to me. It would help me stay focused on school instead of stressing over how I’m going to pay rent or buy groceries. It would give me space to finish strong, to take advantage of internships, and to keep showing up for others in the ways that people once showed up for me. I’m not just trying to get a degree. I’m trying to build a life I can be proud of one where I can use what I’ve been through to help others get through their own battles. This scholarship would help me move one step closer to that future, and I wouldn’t take it for granted. At the end of the day, I’m not asking for a handout I’m asking for a chance to keep moving forward. I’ve worked hard to get to this point, balancing life, school, and responsibilities that many of my peers don’t have to think about. The loss of my VA benefits was a huge setback, but I’m still here, still showing up, and still determined to finish what I started. I know that with the right support, I can do more than just get by I can thrive. This scholarship would be more than financial help it would be a reminder that I’m not alone in this journey. It would lift a weight off my shoulders and allow me to focus on being a student, a future professional, and a person who wants to make a difference. I believe in the power of communication, in giving back, and in creating a life that uplifts others. I’ve seen how one opportunity, one act of belief, can change a life. Thank you for considering me not just as a student in need, but as someone determined to turn his challenges into purpose.

My name is Joshua Sewell, and I’m a Communications major with a focus in Public Relations. I’ve always believed in the power of connection not just through words, but through presence, empathy, and support. My dream is to work in public relations or human resources, where I can help create better experiences for people in the workplace, especially those who feel unseen or unsupported. Being a veteran dependent has shaped my sense of responsibility and service, and living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis has taught me what it means to keep going, even when things get tough. Those two parts of my life my background and my health have made me more compassionate and more determined to build a future where I can make a real difference. There are three ways I hope to use my degree and future career to create that kind of impact. First, I want to help build more inclusive work environments spaces where people with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or mental health challenges don’t feel like they have to hide their struggles just to keep a job. I know first hand what that feels like, and I want to be the person who helps change it. Second, I want to give a voice to people who aren’t always heard especially children and families involved in systems like foster care. In public relations, it’s easy to control a message, but I believe in using that platform to uplift real stories ones that reflect strength, hope, and the complexity of people’s lives. Third, I want to help connect the dots between corporate America and real communities. I’ve seen companies with huge potential to make an impact, but they don’t always know how to reach the people who need it most. I want to help build those bridges through meaningful outreach and by making sure that the way companies show up in the world actually matters. Right now, I work with children in foster care. I provide transportation and support taking them to visits, appointments, and helping them feel safe along the way. It may not seem like a big role, but it’s taught me how much showing up for someone really means. These kids remind me every day why I want to do the work I’m working toward. Balancing school, work, and my health hasn’t always been easy. There have been moments when I felt like giving up. But those moments have also reminded me why I started and who I’m doing this for. I want to be someone who makes life better for others, even in small ways. Receiving this scholarship would take a huge weight off my shoulders and allow me to keep showing up for my education, for the kids I support, and for the future I’m trying to build. I’m not just working toward a career. I’m working toward a life that means something.