Being a first generation college student means carrying both pride and responsibility. My parents never had the chance to go to college, so every class I take represents something bigger than myself. I am not just earning a degree for me. I am doing it for my family and for everyone who worked hard to give me this opportunity. Being first generation means learning how to navigate college life without a roadmap. There was no one to show me how to fill out FAFSA forms, register for classes, or understand how college systems work. At first, that made me feel lost, but it also taught me to rely on myself and to keep asking questions until I figured it out. One of my biggest challenges has been balancing school and work. I work part time, earning around three hundred dollars a week, to help with my own expenses while staying full time in college. There are days when I come home exhausted but still push myself to finish assignments because I know the long-term goal is worth it. Being first generation also comes with pressure. I feel the weight of being the example for my younger relatives and the hope my parents place in me. That pressure has turned into motivation. Every time I think about giving up, I remember that my education can change my family’s future. Another challenge has been finding confidence in myself. Sometimes it feels like college was made for people who already know how everything works. As a Hispanic student, I have faced moments of doubt, but I have also learned to be proud of where I come from. My background gives me strength, empathy, and determination. It reminds me that success is not about being perfect. It is about continuing even when things get difficult. This scholarship would help me worry less about finances and focus more on my studies. I plan to keep exploring different fields, including nursing and other careers that let me help people directly. I know I want a job where I can make a real difference in people’s lives. This scholarship would allow me to buy textbooks, pay for transportation, and save for transfer costs when I move to a four-year university. My dream is simple. I want stability, independence, and the chance to give back to my community. I want to show my family that their sacrifices were worth it. Being a first generation student has not been easy, but it has taught me how strong I can be. I may not have everything figured out yet, but I have purpose, heart, and the determination to keep moving forward.

Being a first generation Hispanic college student has shaped everything about my path and how I see education. I grew up watching my parents work hard to support our family, often putting their own dreams aside so that I could have more opportunities than they did. They always told me to stay focused on school, but when it came to actually applying to college and financial aid, we had no idea where to start. I had to learn how to do everything on my own, from submitting forms to figuring out what classes to take. It was stressful at first, but it taught me independence and patience. It also showed me that reaching my goals would take time and consistency. Coming from an underrepresented background means that I have had to face challenges that many others may not see. There are moments where I have felt out of place, or like I needed to work twice as hard to prove that I belonged in college. Some people have low expectations for Hispanic students, and I have seen classmates who gave up because they did not feel supported. That is why I am determined to stay on track and finish what I started. Every semester I complete brings my family one step closer to breaking the cycle of limited education and opportunity. My success shows my younger relatives that we can achieve more and that higher education is not just a dream but a real possibility. At Long Beach City College, I work part time while keeping a 3.0 GPA. Balancing both is not easy, but it helps me stay disciplined and motivated. Being first generation has made me appreciate every class and every chance to learn. It has also helped me build resilience and empathy. I know how it feels to struggle, and I want to use that understanding to help others. That is one reason I am interested in nursing and similar fields. I enjoy the idea of being there for people when they need help the most. My identity has shaped me into someone who values hard work, community, and opportunity. In the future, I want to mentor other students who are unsure of where to start, just like I once was. I want to make my parents proud and give back to the same community that supported me. My background does not hold me back. It reminds me why I am here and pushes me to keep going no matter how difficult the path becomes.

Being a first generation Hispanic college student has shaped everything about my path and how I see education. I grew up watching my parents work hard to support our family, often putting their own dreams aside so that I could have more opportunities than they did. They always told me to stay focused on school, but when it came to actually applying to college and financial aid, we had no idea where to start. I had to learn how to do everything on my own, from submitting forms to figuring out what classes to take. It was stressful at first, but it taught me independence and patience. It also showed me that reaching my goals would take time and consistency. Coming from an underrepresented background means that I have had to face challenges that many others may not see. There are moments where I have felt out of place, or like I needed to work twice as hard to prove that I belonged in college. Some people have low expectations for Hispanic students, and I have seen classmates who gave up because they did not feel supported. That is why I am determined to stay on track and finish what I started. Every semester I complete brings my family one step closer to breaking the cycle of limited education and opportunity. My success shows my younger relatives that we can achieve more and that higher education is not just a dream but a real possibility. At Long Beach City College, I work part time while keeping a 3.0 GPA. Balancing both is not easy, but it helps me stay disciplined and motivated. Being first generation has made me appreciate every class and every chance to learn. It has also helped me build resilience and empathy. I know how it feels to struggle, and I want to use that understanding to help others. That is one reason I am interested in nursing and similar fields. I enjoy the idea of being there for people when they need help the most. My identity has shaped me into someone who values hard work, community, and opportunity. In the future, I want to mentor other students who are unsure of where to start, just like I once was. I want to make my parents proud and give back to the same community that supported me. My background does not hold me back. It reminds me why I am here and pushes me to keep going no matter how difficult the path becomes.

Being a first generation Hispanic college student has shaped everything about my path and how I see education. I grew up watching my parents work hard to support our family, often putting their own dreams aside so that I could have more opportunities than they did. They always told me to stay focused on school, but when it came to actually applying to college and financial aid, we had no idea where to start. I had to learn how to do everything on my own, from submitting forms to figuring out what classes to take. It was stressful at first, but it taught me independence and patience. It also showed me that reaching my goals would take time and consistency. Coming from an underrepresented background means that I have had to face challenges that many others may not see. There are moments where I have felt out of place, or like I needed to work twice as hard to prove that I belonged in college. Some people have low expectations for Hispanic students, and I have seen classmates who gave up because they did not feel supported. That is why I am determined to stay on track and finish what I started. Every semester I complete brings my family one step closer to breaking the cycle of limited education and opportunity. My success shows my younger relatives that we can achieve more and that higher education is not just a dream but a real possibility. At Long Beach City College, I work part time while keeping a 3.0 GPA. Balancing both is not easy, but it helps me stay disciplined and motivated. Being first generation has made me appreciate every class and every chance to learn. It has also helped me build resilience and empathy. I know how it feels to struggle, and I want to use that understanding to help others. That is one reason I am interested in nursing and similar fields. I enjoy the idea of being there for people when they need help the most. My identity has shaped me into someone who values hard work, community, and opportunity. In the future, I want to mentor other students who are unsure of where to start, just like I once was. I want to make my parents proud and give back to the same community that supported me. My background does not hold me back. It reminds me why I am here and pushes me to keep going no matter how difficult the path becomes.