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To me, college always had seemed like an idea that existed in the distant future – an incredibly stressful idea for someone who would be the first one in her family to go to college. However, as time went by, the distant future became the present.

I couldn’t avoid the college application process any longer and decided to go to Wilkes University for something called Instant Decision Day. The event allows prospective students to spend the day doing various activities on campus while their applications are evaluated. The day ends by learning whether you have been admitted. It’s the whole college application process and more condensed into one concise day.

It ended all of the procrastination that I had been doing up to that point. The day concluded with my acceptance to Wilkes University and an over-the-moon Salena.

Unfortunately, though, the joy could not last forever, as the reality of attending a university really began to settle in. Acceptance is only the first hurdle. The task of paying for college is a whole new beast. It is the challenge that ultimately discourages many students from even applying.

The initial scholarships Wilkes awarded to me were incredibly appreciated, but they covered only part of what I would pay over four years.

I am the eldest child of three in a house captained by a hardworking single mother. Neither of my parents had attended college and I was the oldest child in the house, so I had no one who was able to share their experiences of tackling the financial aspect. That is a problem that I’m sure many first-generation students can relate to. It is up to them to figure out things and set the example.

In my home, that means that I set the precedent for my younger brother and sister. It creates a great deal of pressure knowing that my success affects not only myself, but my whole family.

However, most of my stress was quashed when I learned that I would receive another scholarship in addition to the first. This new scholarship was called the First Generation Scholarship and is offered specifically to first-generation students. This is the scholarship that ended my worries.

Thanks to Wilkes University and its recognition of the importance of helping first-generation students, my financial worries could be put to rest. It is a beautiful opportunity offered to students who really need it. With it, I feel as though I have been able to set a successful example for my siblings. The hard work that was consistently put into academics had finally paid off. It also allowed me to give back to my mother, and make her as proud as she deserves to be.

The First Generation Scholarship began in 2014 when Wilkes held its first Founders Gala to raise money for scholarships for first-generation college students. The second Founders Gala will be held this Saturday and will help to provide more students with opportunities.

This idea does not need to be limited to Wilkes. Considering that most college students graduate with some form of debt, it would be a very wise decision for other universities to adopt a similar idea. The financial relief and absolute joy of receiving such help should not be limited to my family and me.

It is a great investment in the future, not only in the people it helps, but also in our community and country.