Kellie D., Raynham, MA

"Losing the Pell Grant would prevent students from pursuing their dreams. Education is the way to get out of poverty, and without Federal aid, the doors of opportunity for students like my sister and myself would not just be shut - they would be locked."

Since her single mom was diagnosed with cancer, funds have been tight for Kellie's family. Paying the full cost of college out of pocket was certainly not an option. But Kellie, one of three children, has big dreams, and she's not letting anything stop her. With the help of Harvard's generous financial aid and Pell grants, Kellie has been able to entirely finance her own education on campus work-study and savings from two summer jobs. As a result of outside funding and Pell, Kellie has also been able to bring something to campus outside of the classroom. In addition to her job at the library, Kellie is a member of the civics club and participates in women's rugby.

Pablo L., Pomona, CA

"This award allowed me to focus my efforts on academic success, professional development, and community service . . . These grants facilitate social upward mobility because it helps socially disadvantaged pupils to achieve their ambitious goals."

When Pablo graduated from high school, he knew he wanted to follow in his sister's footsteps and get his college degree. But with an expected family contribution of $0 to help him finance his college experience, he needed more than his scholarships and part-time job to pay tuition. Pell grants made all the difference. With the help of Pell, Pablo was able to take out minimal student loans and keep his job to part-time so that he could get involved in the pre-med community at Cal Poly Pomona. After he graduates next year, he will continue to explore community health issues by pursuing medical and public health degrees. For now, Pablo is making a difference in Pomona by serving as a mentor, encouraging young Hispanic students like himself to seek higher degrees that will put them on the path to success.

Emily, Durham, NC

“The Pell Grant gave me the opportunity to pursue my education, which I could not afford on my own. Last month, I graduated with honors from community college and am now on my way to earn a BA in education, and become an English teacher.  I don’t know how I will be able to continue my studies without the help of the Pell Grant Program. I already work two jobs and don't know where else I could turn if Congress decides to eliminate this vital assistance.”

When Emily enrolled in courses at Durham Technical Community College, she was working several low-paying jobs and struggling to make ends meet. She continues to work while taking classes, but hopes that with the continued funding of the Pell grant Program, she’ll be able to focus more on her studies at North Carolina Central University.  Emily’s passion is teaching and her goal is to teach at-risk youth and get them back into school. Emily has experienced the hardships that one faces without a college degree, and caught a glimpse of the opportunities for service that lie on the other side. She now works as an English tutor for disadvantaged students, and uses her personal experience to encourage young people who face similar challenges.

Alexiss C., San Antonio, TX 

"I believe in education 100%. We must recognize the whole gamut of human potentiality. Being informed and knowledgeable about your surroundings and yourself, makes you capable. The Pell Grant has allowed me to attend college (otherwise it wouldn't be affordable) and realize what exactly I'm capable of doing."

Alexiss was always set on getting a higher education, which would allow her to contribute to her family's financial situation. Without any money to get her started, she knew that funding a bachelor's degree in Psychology would be an uphill battle. Alexiss applied for and received a number of scholarships and grants, the largest of which was the Pell grant. Even with the help of the Pell grant, two Texas-specific grants, and student loans, she is still struggling to fund her education. Earlier this month, Alexiss was informed that the future of one of her Texas grants is uncertain given the stretched state budget. With Pell grants also up in the air, the next school year may be even more difficult for this hard-working student. 

Danny N., Miami, FL

 “Without the Federal Pell grant, I would not have been the first member of my family to attend college. I can only shake my head in disbelief at the idea of cutting Pell, which is the gateway to education for the American working and middle class. In the globalized world that we live in, the last course of action our country needs to take is to fall further behind in education. And for young adults, such as myself, who come from families on the bottom rung of the economic ladder, Pell grants provide the only way to move up."

Danny graduated from the University of Virginia this past May, and received the maximum Pell award during all four years of college.  Growing up as the son of undocumented immigrants, Danny overcame poverty and numerous other obstacles to pursue his education.  It’s hard for Danny to imagine a life for himself without the Pell grant, because he would have never been able to complete his college education in its absence. Danny majored in History, and is looking to work as a community organizer for a few years before he goes onto graduate school.

Anita L., Washington, DC

“Without the Pell grant, there is no way that I would be where I am today. My family lives severely below the poverty line and was unable to contribute financially to my education. If the government cuts Pell grants, low-income young people will be penalized for their family’s hardship and locked out of the opportunity to an education. I am currently fighting for disadvantaged students to not be cut out of the federal budget, because I, like so many others, depend upon the assistance of government programs such as Pell.”

Anita Lederer graduated this year from Boston College with a double major in Political Science and History, and a minor in Women's Studies. She is a first-generation college graduate who grew up in a low-income neighborhood in California.  If Anita had not received federal Pell grants, she would have had to put her education on hold indefinitely. Anita believes that by cutting Pell, Congress is deciding with the swipe of a pen who can go to school and who cannot. Today, Anita works as an organizer at a national nonprofit in Washington, D.C.

Pamela E., Pomona, CA

"I have been able to receive an education because I receive Pell grants. Without the Pell grant I will not be able to continue my education."

This busy single mother of four spent years working low or minimum wage retail jobs with big companies, barely scraping by. Then, about three years ago, she decided that there was no way for her to provide a better life for herself and her children without further education. So she enrolled in a local community college with the help of a Pell grant. With a family of five to support on a single salary, she had no extra income to allocate to schooling. Pell made her education possible. She recently completed her associate's degree, making her the first in her family of first-generation immigrants to graduate from college, and is now completing her bachelor's degree in public administration. She hopes to be a role model for her children, the oldest of whom is now deciding between a military career and enrolling immediately in college - also with the help of Pell grants.

 

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