Investing in My Future by Clarence

Investing in My Future by Clarence - August 2025 Scholarship Essay

One of my biggest aspirations for the upcoming school year is to finish my first year of college completely debt-free. Starting college was a major milestone for me and my family. As the oldest child and the first child of my parents’ attend college, I feel a strong responsibility to make the most of this opportunity to travel out-of-state for college—not just for myself, but as an example for my younger siblings.

To get to college in the first place, I had to take out loans to help cover the costs of my fall semester. That decision wasn’t easy, and it made me realize how important it is to be proactive about my financial future. I didn’t want debt to become a long-term burden, so I immediately began applying to more scholarships, grants, and any funding opportunities I could find. I also started looking into budgeting and learning about personal finance topics. I knew that if I wanted to stay in school and succeed, I would need to be just as focused on managing my finances as I was on doing well in the classroom.

So far, my efforts have almost fully paid off-literally. I’ve been awarded several scholarships and I will continue to apply to more in order to be able to start paying down the loans I took out for the fall. While I still have more work to do, being able to say I’m on a steady track to finish my first year without debt is something I’m incredibly proud of. It didn’t happen by luck. It happened through the grace of God, and through the long nights of writing scholarship essays, asking for letters of recommendation, and pushing through moments of doubt.

What motivates me is the desire to become financially stable early at a young age. I’ve seen how financial stress can affect people—how it limits their options, can cause anxiety, and sometimes force them to walk away from their goals. I don’t want my future to be this way. I want to graduate not just with a degree, but with a strong financial understanding of money and how to use it wisely. I want to be someone that can take care of themselves, support their family, and give back to their community without being held back by mountains of debt from poor financial decisions.

Being financially responsible will not also open the door for me as a student.When I’m constantly worrying about how I’m going to afford my books, food, or housing, I can put more of my focus into studying. I can consider looking at internships and different research opportunities without being forced to take on multiple jobs in order to afford my college life. I can actually enjoy the college experience and use it to grow academically, personally, and professionally.

Beyond myself, I hope to show my younger siblings and others in my community that there are ways to navigate college without being burned in debt. It takes lots of effort, sacrifice, and persistence, but it’s possible. I’ve already started sharing various scholarship resources and budgeting tips with my sisters and peers because I believe in lifting others up as I climb. Financial literacy is not something that gets taught often in school, especially in underserved communities, and I want to be someone who changes that.

This upcoming school year, I’m determined to keep applying what I’ve learned to continue to grow—not just as a student but as a young adult preparing their life beyond college. I’m focused on building a strong foundation that will allow me to pursue my goal of becoming an anesthesiologist without being limited by financial obstacles. I know my path won’t be easy, but I’ve already proved to myself that I can handle challenges with resilience and determination.

Being debt-free after my first year is more than just a simple financial milestone. It’s proof that I can be responsible and take control of my future—and that combined with the right mindset will make anything possible.