As a high school student, I struggled to imagine my future. I watched my peers embrace their excitement at being accepted into prestigious universities while I was still pondering the application process. I was unfamiliar with financial aid and how it could help pay for college. It seemed like my classmates figured out their lives while I struggled just to complete my FAFSA, the federal form used to determine financial aid eligibility.
It’s always been an unspoken rule in my family never to talk about money or finances, because it always ends in a heated argument. I had to dip into my parents’ taxes to try to fill out the FAFSA on my own. When I finally found the courage to ask my father for help, he had a hard time understanding the meaning of the request. He did not want to share personal financial information and did not understand that completing the FAFSA was what would make college attendance financially possible.
Completing the FAFSA is always an emotional process every year, and one that I have to explain to my dad every time. But our financial situation means that I am eligible for a Pell grant, which helps me pay for my studies. Finding out that I was eligible for a Pell Grant was such a relief. Not only does this mean I can avoid potentially crippling loans, but it also helps my parents focus on their needs without worrying about college expenses.
After high school, I enrolled at Palomar College and joined TRIO SSS, an organization that counsels low-income and first-generation students to encourage academic success. It was inspiring to be surrounded by successful students from similar backgrounds. I was thrilled to learn of the help TRIO SSS offers to first-generation students like me, and it showed me that I could achieve my goals no matter what my background.
I was grateful to continue being a part of TRIO SSS after graduating as an associate’s degree in communications at Palomar and transferring to Cal State San Marcos last fall.
At the CSUSM, I received overwhelming support, which helped me pursue my studies and chart my career path. The university emphasizes hands-on learning and I have had the opportunity to work as a writer in the university’s communications office where I gain valuable skills and guidance as I consider a career in communications after I graduate in May 2023.
CSUSM opened the door for me to feel more confident about my future. I’m building a strong portfolio for future employers, and the positive work environment in academic communications has encouraged career exploration and connections to set me up for success.
During my first semester at CSUSM last fall, I juggled two jobs to ease the financial burden on my family while trying to balance a full course load. It wasn’t easy, but I’m proud of getting A’s in my first semester of college, and having a strong support system at CSUSM was a big part of getting there.
After completing my bachelor’s degree, I look forward to finding a job that will allow me to use the written communication skills that I am developing through my work in university communications.
I always dread filling out the FAFSA, and it’s an ongoing challenge to navigate the complexities of the higher education system. But I know that all the difficulties are worth it. Not only because I will be the first in my family to graduate from college, but also because I can help my sister navigate an easier path to college and financial independence. I strive every day to set a positive example for Ashley. I encourage her to explore her passions now so she has more direction than I do when she heads to college four years from now.
The car accident my family survived 14 years ago changed many aspects of my life, but I can look to the future with optimism. I learned valuable lessons about determination and perseverance, lessons that helped me develop a strong motivation to redirect my path.