“I am very grateful for the State Grant. Both my brothers attend community college and I am extremely fortunate to have the State Grant to attend private college at Saint Mary’s. It has made it much more affordable for my family.”
Stories
Read stories from students and families who have benefited from the State Grant program. Use the search box above to find stories about specific people or institutions.
Use our Submit a story form to share your story. (Please note that all stories will be reviewed by our staff before they show up in the list below.)
Sara Schoenthaler
Hometown:
White Bear Lake
School:
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Class of
2015
Major:
Marketing and Management
Minor:
Public Relations
Extra-curriculars:
Guard for the women’s basketball team, works for the Athletic Department, supervises intramurals
“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.”
Carlos Rivera
Hometown:
St. Paul
School:
St. Olaf College
Class of
2015
Major:
Chemistry and Math
Extra-curriculars:
Works as an office assistant in the TRiO office, belongs to the Sci-Fi Club and the Problem Solving Club.
"Coming from a very small town limited the types of people I was exposed to, and I never seemed to find friends with whom I could connect. Receiving need-based financial aid has allowed me to attend a college that has exposed me to a variety of individuals, and I have had the opportunity to develop a community of friends I know I will retain for the rest of my life. Without the aid I received from the state, I would never have grown to be the person I am today, as I would never have met the friends I know now."
Sonja Smerud
Hometown:
Finland
School:
St. Olaf College
Class of
2014
Major:
Biology, Political Science
Minor:
Environmental Studies
Extra-curriculars:
Environmental Student Organizations, Model United Nations, Student Government
"I am a nontraditional student — an adult nursing student who is also a mom to three kids. I am thankful for this grant that allows me to attend the school that works best for me, while also working fewer hours so that I can focus on my nursing studies."
Bekki Hince
Hometown:
Zimmerman
School:
Bethel University
Class of
2015
Major:
Nursing
Extra-curriculars:
Leadership Team for Student Mentoring
"Being able to receive a State Grant has eased the financial burden. It has allowed me to attend a college that’s a good fit for my academic and other interests.”
Claire Willeck
Hometown:
Eden Prairie
School:
Carleton College
Class of
2015
Major:
Economics and International Relations
Extra-curriculars:
Plays varsity volleyball and softball, member of Student Athlete Advisory Committee, volunteer at a middle school, work-study job in Campus Services office.
“With me and two of my siblings in college, getting the State Grant is a great help. I don’t think I’d have been able to come to Gustavus without it.”
Amy Vang
Hometown:
Brooklyn Park
School:
Gustavus Adolphus College
Class of
2015
Major:
Art Studio
Extra-curriculars:
Has a work-study position in the marketing and communications office at Gustavus; is a member of Hmong American Cultural Outreach.
“With this grant, I was able to afford to live on campus, which is huge and has allowed me to experience campus fully and focus on my studies. It also helps relieve the financial burden on my father, who is a single parent.”
Arielle Skalisky
Hometown:
Hermantown
School:
College of St. Scholastica
Class of
2016
Major:
Nursing
Minor:
Psychology (or double major)
Extra-curriculars:
Two work-study positions and also works off-campus as a Certified Nursing Assistant at a retirement community. Serves on the Student Senate, is the advertisement officer for United for Africa; member of the Asian Culture Club and the International Club.
“When I was chose St. Thomas, it was on the edge of what we could afford, but we worked it out. The State Grant definitely helped. It was an important factor in making my choice."
Tom Asp
Hometown:
Maplewood
School:
University of St. Thomas
Class of
2013
Major:
Communications and Journalism
Extra-curriculars:
Managed the undergraduate Admissions tour guide program as a Tommie Ambassador in fall 2013, previously was a member of the Advertising Federation and the Ski and Snowboard Club
“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.”
Peter Borash
Hometown:
Royalton
School:
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Class of
2013
Major:
Environmental Biology
Extra-curriculars:
Participates in the Honors program, runs NCAA cross country, works as a resident advisor, volunteers with Buddies (a program for the mentally and physically disabled) and belongs to the Biology Club.
“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.”
Maikang Xiong
Hometown:
St. Paul
School:
St. Catherine University
Class of
2013
Major:
Accounting and Financial Economics
Minor:
Sociology
Extra-curriculars:
Student worker at the Center for Community Work and Learning, Americorps volunteer, volunteer with VITA to prepare taxes for low-income families, member of the Asian Women Association and Hmong Daughters.