With dreams of open doors leading to new opportunities academically, socially and financially, Sandra Guillen knew that the key to her future in higher education was financial aid. Guillen started her scholarship search early, asking local organizations she was affiliated with if they had any scholarships to offer. Eventually she learned about several opportunities with book scholarships and received help to properly fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
Guillen now works as an academic advisor for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Arizona, assisting other college students in pursuit of their educational goals. Guillen uses her first-hand experience to help explain the benefits of filling out the FAFSA form. In particular, she highlights how students can list all schools they are considering so those institutions can obtain the student’s information and begin developing financial aid packages. She believes that by making students aware they can use financial aid at any university - even “a dream college” - will motivate students to move on to higher education.
“When I was in high school, I didn’t understand the true costs of going to college,” said Guillen. “I was scared that that I would not be able to afford college without making a lot of sacrifices, but financial aid made things easier, and that is what I tell my students.”
Guillen also plans to complete her master’s degree in the next year at the University and continue on toward obtaining her doctorate. Guillen’s experience with higher education has been an exciting and stimulating ride and one that she hopes will lead her to a college setting in some capacity as she finishes graduate school.
“It was only a couple
of years ago I was in high school starting to think about college and
its benefits,” Guillen said. “I knew that obtaining a college
education was a very real possibility. Programs like College Goal Sunday
provide a priceless gift to college-bound students.”