Meet the scholars

I am very grateful to receive this award as it is helping me pay for school. I am so thankful & blessed by you all for your time & efforts into helping students be able to succeed. This scholarship will help me financially with my future of becoming a elementary teacher!

This scholarship has allowed me to further my education in Nursing. I am able to keep working towards my dream job and I am beyond thankful for even considering me for this.

The scholarship has greatly impacted my education because it has allowed me to obtain the necessary tools to be able to finish my associate and later my master. My biggest dream is to finish my degree as soon as possible.

The Helios Education Foundation First-Generation Scholarship helped me tremendously this fall 2020 semester. The scholarship helped cover my tuition, and other expenses I need to get through this semester. I am beyond grateful that I was chosen to receive this scholarship, so I can continue my education and eventually become an Elementary School Teacher.

My career ambition is to become a teacher and own a preschool for children with disabilities and without disabilities. This scholarship has helped me get the books I need for school and to further my education in my major. I’ve been able to work participate and work at a few preschools to get a feel of what I need to know.

Thanks to this scholarship, I’m able to continue with my education and my career path. I would be able to purchase the materials necessary to study aerospace engineering furthermore and with better equipment in my hands. I would use these funds wisely in my academic advantage.

This scholarship has allowed me to put more time and energy into my own education by relieving me of the added stress of providing for my education financially. I have been able to put all of my effort into finishing my final internship well, which has proved to increase my understanding of what is expected and needed of a good teacher in the classroom

The summer of 2020 semester was the most difficult semester for me academically and personally. The Helios First Generation Scholarship allowed me to take a step back from work, and focus more on my schooling. The grades I received in the Summer helped me take a major step in my goals. I got into my first choice Nursing program. I am excited to expand beyond my role as a CNA.

"The Helios Foundation First Generation Scholarship provided me with that 'light at the end of the tunnel,' that helped me to make it all the way to graduation! While it is true that I am the first to graduate college in my family, I am thrilled to say that I am not the last! Since my own graduation, my sister has graduated from college and become a nurse and my daughter has graduated from college and is currently launching her own business as Solo Entrepreneur! You see, I graduated originally in 2003, with dreams of going on to University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Political Science in pursuit of a career in law and politics. But, that wasn't to be, you see it turns out the school I went to was not regionally accredited and my degree was essentially 'worthless.' I was unable to use my degree to get a job in the field I had majored in or to apply it toward my next degree. Essentially, I had to earn my first college degree all over again, but I couldn't because all I had no more financial aid or scholarships available at the time. Then at the age of 50, I decided to dust myself off and try again. I came to Hillsborough Community College and they gave me hope by offering me partial credits for some of my classes and the opportunity to graduate (once more) with fully a fully transferable degree. There was some issue of limited financial aid available, I had already reached my aggregate loan limit by attending school before, and there was a chance I would run out of funding before graduation. Then, there appeared a light, a beautiful, bright light showing me the end of the long tunnel! That light was The Helios Foundation! Thank you so much for providing me and my family with a bright future full of opportunity! I have found the joy of enlightenment to be rather contagious, like laughter or excitement! College should not be a luxury because, in today's technological era, everyone needs continued education after high school to maximize their life's opportunities for career success. During the industrial revolution, trade skills may have been enough. But, today, employers require subject knowledge, computer skills, and highly developed soft skills. Everyone, regardless of their age or background, should receive a high-quality education, not just for their own good, or the good of their family, but for the good of every community, every town, every state, every nation! However, right now, for most families, college is a luxury that many, including myself, can not afford. Today, I am an undergraduate student at SPC, majoring in Public Policy and Administration. I look forward to running for elected office and making sure that I am involved in removing financial obstacles for students that want to learn and grow and reach their full potential by attending college or trade school!

This scholarship has helped me to continue my education. I am a single mom, work full time and go to school full time. Without this scholarship, I would not have been able to afford this semester. This scholarship brought me one semester closer to bettering my life for myself and my daughter.

Receiving this scholarship allowed me to focus on my studies without worrying so much about tuition, student loans or expenses. It took a lot of outside stress off of me and allowed me to do the best that I could do academically, allowing me to graduate Valencia and enter UCF with true confidence in my future success.

The Helios Education First Generation Scholarship gave me the financial support I needed to cover a portion my expenses, which allowed me to complete another semester, with all A’s I humbly add. I am appreciative of a scholarship that recognizes the pressure and importance of a first generation graduate and I am grateful.

As a mother of three children and living on one paycheck with my husbands job, this scholarship helped tremendously cut the cost of my schooling. These types of scholarships have allowed me to reach my goal of becoming an accountant while not negatively effecting our finances.

I have been impacted by the Helios First Generation Scholarship in the most positive way possible. This scholarship has made it possible for me to continue to work towards my goal of becoming an educator and a beacon of hope in a child's life. I am forever grateful for being a recipient of this scholarship.

This scholarship has helped me in so many ways, including opening doors to scholarships that I didn't even know was available. I was able to pay for extended child care while attending classes and study longer. This scholar ship gave me a piece of mind that helped me lift this financial burden that comes along with gaining my education

This scholarship has helped me a lot during my time at Palm Beach State. I have encountered a lot of obstacles along the way but now I am almost finished at Palm Beach State. My goal is to become a teacher and to help my students succeed the way people have helped me at Palm Beach State. Thank you everyone who has helped me to fulfill my dream for my future in teaching.

I cannot appropriately express in written form my appreciation for the scholarship award you have generously provided. Thank you so very much for your generosity. I truly appreciate you, and your contribution to my higher education dreams.

The scholarship has impacted my education, by providing me with the means to accomplish my degree and continue with my education. Not everyone can be financially set for education, like myself so with the help of the scholarship it helps not struggle as mcuh to pay for my credit hours and take a burden off of me to not go into much debt for collge.

I received the Helios Foundation First-Generation Scholarship in Spring 2020, which was my last semester at Hillsborough Community College.Upon graduation, I plan on pursuing a career in law enforcement as a crime scene investigator, and from there I will use as many opportunities as I can to add more qualifications to make myself a competitive applicant for the FBI.

This scholarship has helped me continue my education and reach my goals of changing the future by being a teacher. I wish I to teach students with disabilities and change the way people see these students and help the students realize they can accomplish anything they want as long as they have what they need to do it.

It has aided me with completing university with limited financial deficit. I hope to one day work with nano pharmaceuticals and curing cancer and genetic illnesses.

I am elated to receive the news that I have been awarded a scholarship. This degree will teach me many necessary skills and qualities other than simply making lesson plans. It will teach patience, understanding, and a new form of communication with a large group of people (or children). This scholarship will help me further my education without having to worry about money.

Thank you so much Helios Education Foundation for the opportunity on choosing me to receive the Helios First Generation Scholarship. By awarding me this scholarship, you have reduced my financial burden, which allowed me to focus more on my school work and not worry so much about how I am going to pay for school.

The scholarship has helped me advance in the nursing program I attended and I am very grateful. I’m am going to graduate in December 2020 and plan to pursue a career of a NICU nurse.