College changes your earning potential and opens up several opportunities to those who attend, but it is also pricey especially for the average student. By average, I mean students with moderate grades who don’t qualify for the most prestigious scholarships.  Students fortunate enough that do not fit financial need, but not fortunate enough to have the means to pay for it. Many students fall into this category. Some chose not to pursue their education due to cost, while others work whilst attending school, or others get loans which creates student loan debt, and many carry out a combination of these things.  And for those who do attend under these conditions their time is distracted with work, food insecurity, not pursuing study abroad and other opportunities due to financial constraints. 

I was one of those students. I received a few scholarships but not a full ride. I worked throughout college and once had 4 jobs.  I didn’t do ramen, but I learned to grocery shop with $10/week. I learned to make leg quarters, cabbage, rice and potatoes in a ridiculous number of ways. I missed a lot of the activities on campus because I was away at work. 

I know this is not my story alone. Food insecurity in college is so normal that we laugh about the days of ramen or smuggling extra food from the café to be able to eat later. I grew a lot during that time but could I have grown differently. What if I had more free time?  What if I could have focused on my studies? Would I have explored my passions more?  I’d like to think so. So, the opportunity to help students have a less stressful experience is the reason for this scholarship. And it is the reason why this scholarship can be used for things other than just tuition. Nontraditional support items need to be approved and will be paid directly to the provider, but they are included. 

When talking to my friends and colleagues it became clear that instead of me just giving an annual scholarship, I should start a nonprofit so others could contribute to a scholarship designed to help students like me. Students like them. 

-          Monique Phillips, President BEST Board of Directors