For students living in poverty, just graduating from high school can be an uphill climb. The prospect of going on to college may seem like an impossible dream. However, thanks to the support of our community, Bellevue LifeSpring’s college scholarships program is making those dreams a reality.
By the year 2020, 70% of jobs in Washington State will require some form of post-secondary education. The College Board has predicted the average annual cost of a four-year college degree in 2020 will be $46,368, an increase of 38% from current tuition.
College education has never been more important, or more expensive.
Bellevue LifeSpring’s college scholarships break down financial barriers that prevent low-income students from attending college through renewable, need-based awards, allowing them to earn a degree and enjoy a fulfilling, living-wage career.
Recently, we heard from some of our past scholarship recipients and learned where their drive, determination and college degrees have taken them.
Colleen
I graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in the sciences and went on to graduate school where I studied nutrition. I’m currently working as a dietitian serving the psychiatric population. As I come from a family of immigrants and our income is quite limited, scholarships were a huge part in getting through school and propelling me towards where I am today. I continue to be grateful for the financial gift from Overlake Service League (now Bellevue LifeSpring).
Sanaya
Right now, I’m working in a rural Washington community. I’m the Assistant Director of Rural Resources Victim Services. We provide advocacy services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes in two counties. If it wasn’t for the scholarships I received, I wouldn’t have been able to finish my undergraduate degree and certainly wouldn’t have been able to continue on to get my graduate degree in social work. Scholarships have been a huge contributing factor to my professional success. I appreciate all that Bellevue LifeSpring’s scholarship has done for me.
Lisa
I graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor of science degree, in physiology, with honors. From there, I continued my education at Oregon Health and Science University, where I received my master’s degree as a physician assistant. I now work as a certified physician’s assistant in a level-one trauma center/emergency department in Portland, Oregon. This scholarship has definitely contributed to my success and I am very grateful for the financial support!
Every child should have access to education and opportunities for success. Your generosity and confidence in these students has allowed them to break the cycle of poverty and positioned them to give back.
For the 2016-2017 school year, you allowed 26 students to pursue their education and achieve their dreams through college scholarships.
