Elevate Student Voices for Equitable Systemic Funding

I was raised by three incredible women—my mother, my aunt, and my grandmother—all single mothers. Each of them had survived domestic abuse and made the courageous decision to remove us from that environment, determined to build a better future. As immigrants, they arrived in the United States with little more than hope and resilience, working tirelessly to provide for our family. From shifts at McDonald’s to long hours in tortilla factories, working in a hair salon, and even selling tamales on cold Chicago mornings, they did whatever it took to put food on the table. But even with their relentless effort, we barely had anything to eat some days.

Growing up on the South Side of Chicago in a cramped apartment with my siblings and cousins, life was anything but easy. With our mothers always working multiple jobs, we lacked the kind of parental supervision that many kids take for granted. The streets became our second home, bringing with them the constant threat of gang violence and the echo of gunshots through the night. Many kids in my neighborhood never made it out—some fell victim to the streets, while others gave up hope before they even had the chance to dream.

But my mother refused to let that be our story. She believed in a different future for us, where education could be our way out. That belief became the foundation for everything I would go on to achieve.

When it came time to apply for college, finances were our biggest obstacle. My family simply couldn’t afford it, and taking on massive debt felt like a risk we couldn’t bear. However, thanks to grants like the MAP Grant and several scholarships from Augustana College and other organizations, I could attend college for four years without the crushing burden of tuition. Those grants and scholarships weren’t just numbers on a financial aid package—they were lifelines, allowing me to focus on my education rather than how I would pay for it.

For me, college wasn’t just an academic experience; it was a chance to break the cycle of poverty that had defined my family for generations. It gave me the tools, knowledge, and confidence to build a future where I could support myself and give back to my community. Without financial aid, none of that would have been possible.

An equitable funding formula for public higher education institutions is crucial. Every student, regardless of their background, deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams without being held back by financial barriers. Investing in scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs isn’t just about helping individuals—it’s about strengthening entire communities. When students from diverse backgrounds have access to higher education, we create a more inclusive, innovative, and equitable society.

I look at where I am today and know that programs like the MAP Grant are the reason I made it this far. But I also know that too many students are still struggling, forced to make impossible choices between tuition and basic necessities. We can and must do better.

By prioritizing equitable funding for higher education, we aren’t just supporting students—we’re investing in the future. We’re empowering leaders, change-makers, and individuals who will shape our communities in ways we can’t even imagine. When we remove financial barriers, we allow students to focus on learning, growing, and contributing to the world around them.

Higher education should not be a privilege for the few—it should be a right for all. When we invest in students, we invest in a brighter, more just future for everyone.