Many students face challenges that make education feel out of reach, but with the right support, motivated students can turn hardships into strength. Scholarships and grants are not only financial help—they are lifelines that give students like me the chance to keep moving forward when life feels impossible. I grew up in Vietnam, where I worked hard in school and discovered my love for biology. After 11th grade, I came to the U.S. filled with hope for new opportunities. At first, I thought life would get easier, but instead it became harder than I ever imagined. During my junior year, my parents overworked themselves, often more than 12 hours a day, just so I could afford to attend school. I carried that weight with me every day, knowing how much they were sacrificing for me. But when their business began to struggle, everything changed. By senior year, I was on my own. My tuition was $23,000 for this year, 2025-2026, not including living expenses. I remember lying awake at night, overwhelmed, wondering how I could afford it while still keeping up with my studies. At times, it felt like the dream I had worked so hard for was slipping away. Still, I refused to give up. I pushed myself to keep studying, to maintain my grades, even when exhaustion made it hard to focus. I worked more hours than I thought I could handle, often feeling torn between survival and school. Some days, the stress was unbearable, but I reminded myself why I came here—to build a better future and to pursue my passion for health and science. These experiences shaped me in ways I never expected. They taught me resilience and independence, but they also gave me empathy. I know what it feels like to be overwhelmed, scared, and uncertain about the future. And I know how powerful it is when someone shows care and understanding during those moments. That is why I want to become a nurse: to be there for others the way I once needed someone to be there for me. Support through this grant would mean far more than easing the heavy financial pressure I face. It would give me the stability to focus on my education and the encouragement to keep striving toward my dream. It would remind me that my hard work and sacrifices have meaning, and that others believe in my potential. I believe students from disadvantaged backgrounds deserve opportunities like this because we know the true value of education. We fight for it, we sacrifice for it, and we never take it for granted. With support, I am determined to turn my struggles into strength and give back to others through a career in nursing.

Hi, my name is Vy, and my life hasn’t been easy, but the experiences I’ve gone through have helped me grow and find my passion. They have shaped the way I think, feel, and dream. I’ve faced many challenges, but I’ve also learned the value of strength, love, and never giving up. These lessons are the reason I want to become a nurse. I was born and raised in Vietnam. From a young age, I saw how hard my parents worked just to give me the basics. We didn’t have much money, but we had love. My parents always believed in education and told me it would be the key to a better future. That’s why I’ve always taken school seriously. I studied hard, earned high grades, and received multiple Biology awards throughout middle and high school. Biology became my favorite subject because it helped me understand the human body, how each small system keeps us alive and working. That knowledge made me appreciate life more deeply and inspired my dream to help others. After I finished 11th grade in Vietnam, my parents made a huge and brave decision. They sent me to the United States so I could get a better education and more opportunities. I was excited and thought things would get easier. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that life here would be even harder. My parents worked long, overnight shifts, sometimes more than 12 hours a day, just to pay for my junior year of high school. I missed them terribly, and I could feel the pressure they were under. Then things got even worse. Their small business in Vietnam started to struggle, and they could no longer afford to pay for my senior year. I suddenly had to find a way to survive, paying for school, rent, and all my basic needs on my own. It was one of the most difficult moments in my life. There were times I felt scared and completely alone, but I reminded myself that my parents made sacrifices for me to be here. I couldn’t give up not on them, not on myself, and not on my dream. Through it all, I held on to my goal of becoming a nurse. One of my teachers once told me that I have a calm, focused, and caring personality, traits that are perfect for nursing. That meant so much to me. I want to care for people when they are at their weakest, to be a calm presence when they are scared or sick. I want to bring hope and healing, because I know what it feels like to struggle and still move forward. One day, I also hope to give back to students like me, those who come from other countries, who face money problems, but who still chase their dreams. I want to help them believe that even when life is hard, it’s possible to keep going. My life has taught me strength, compassion, and purpose. Those lessons are leading me to nursing, and I know I’m on the right path.