“The State Grant is letting me be a part of extracurriculars like theater. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to have the friends I have or live on campus. I’d be trying to work full-time to help pay for college. That would definitely be a negative experience.”
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota ’13, Royalton, Minn.
"I come from a large family that owns a dairy farm. For my siblings and me, college was only if we could find the funding to do it. Without the State Grant, I wouldn't have been able to go to a school with a great environmental program and it would have been a few years before I could go at all."
College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University '11, St. Paul, Minn.
"I have been truly grateful for the Minnesota
Grant because without it my loans and school expenses would have been too
burdensome for me and especially my family."
"There are a lot of expenses associated with college and the State Grant allows me to not have that additional worry of coming up with money each semester; it gives me the security to pursue my academic goals."
"As the oldest of four kids, college wasn't exactly affordable for my family, so it was absolutely necessary for me to receive the State Grant. When I saw my financial aid letter, I thought, ‘Yes, my dreams are possible.' I couldn't have accomplished my goals without grants."
"My college experience would have been very different if I had not received the State Grant, if I'd even been able to attend. I would have had to work more and focus on school less, meaning I wouldn't have received the grades I did or been able to take advantage of other opportunities."
"I'm the oldest child in a family of six kids, so going to college was like jumping in the deep end for our family. Because of the State Grant, I could look at all different types of colleges and choose the one for me. I couldn't have done that without the assistance of grants and scholarships."
"I wanted to go to a good college without putting a huge burden on my family, since my sister will also be in college soon. Without the State Grant, I would be more worried that we couldn't keep up with payments. That added burden would mean I wouldn't be able to focus as much on my studies."
"Money is definitely an issue; I wouldn't be here if not for grants and scholarships. It's great when money doesn't have to hold you back. Things like the State Grant allow you the opportunity to go to college, opening the door to future possibilities."
Concordia University, St. Paul ’15, St. Paul, Minn.
"Without grants and scholarships, I probably wouldn't be able to go to college at all because I couldn't afford it. I'd just have to find a job somewhere. I need as many funds for college as I can get, because no one in my family can co-sign on loans; I'm the first generation in my family to go to college."
"The State Grant is important to me because I need money to go to school; it decreases the amount of financial stress I have. I'm trying to do all of this on my own, so grants also reduce the amount of worry my family has that I'll end up with a huge amount of debt when I graduate."
"Because my dad has ALS and is on disability retirement, our family income is cut in half. It was a relief to get the State Grant so I don't have to worry about loans as much. My experience at Bethel would be more stressful and I'd have to work more without it."
"My educational experience has brought about personal growth as a student and will pay off in my future career. Without the State Grant, my experience could not have been as fulfilling, due to spending my time paying for tuition."
"Attending Gustavus is an experience I wouldn't trade for anything. Without the State Grant I truly believe I wouldn't have been able to come here. I have an older brother who also received this grant, and it's been meaningful for both of us."
"I already work three jobs to help pay for
college, and without this assistance I would probably not be able to attend a
school that is one of the best in the country for my major."
"Education
is highly valued in my family, and without the Minnesota State Grant, we most
definitely would not have the means to fulfill our hopes and dreams."
"Coming from a low-income background, I have always seen money
as a source of stress for my family and cost was a crucial factor when
considering colleges. The Minnesota State Grant has helped to make Carleton
affordable for me."
"Going to college was my dream and with the State
Grant I received I was able to make that dream a reality. I want Minnesota legislators to know that by increasing the amount of
grant money for students they will make attending college a lot easier for
students like me who grew up below the poverty line."
"The grants I have received have made it possible
for me to attend and stay at St. Kate's.
Without this aid, I would have to worry more about tuition costs. It also makes it possible for me to live on campus."
St. Catherine University alum, now working in St. Paul as a labor and delivery nurse
"If I hadn't got the grants that I did, I don't know if I would have been able to finish at St. Kate's. The State Grant filled a void. Without it I probably would have had to work more. The nursing program is very time consuming, so because I didn't have to work as much, I could really focus on school and do very well."
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