The benefits of a scholarship

The Affton Alumni Association Scholarship will make a difference in my post-high school education in three ways: financially, educationally, and personally. Financial assistance is a necessity for many college students, particularly those planning careers that require many years of education beyond the undergraduate level. Many students graduate from college with enormous student loan debt or limit their education in an attempt to control costs. Because scholarships are free money, students can focus on their careers instead of thinking about how they will repay loans. This allows me to go into job fields that require postgraduate training or to pursue careers in public service or other areas that don’t pay high salaries. By removing financial barriers, scholarships make education and career goals easier to obtain. According to a study conducted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, working while in college is the number one reason people drop out. Having a scholarship that pays for my education and living expenses can actually reduce my risk of dropping out and not getting the degree I want. I may even be able to consider a more selective institution or major. By reducing financial concerns, scholarships can also mean more time for studying and learning, which can lead to better grades and retention of knowledge and increase my chances for continuing on to graduate school. A scholarship can make a big difference on how I take on my career path as well. My goal for teaching Special Education is to inspire those who inspire me. I want to be able to teach the students new things as well as learn from them.