Caitlin's Story

I knew I needed help paying for college. My parents divorced when I was three and there’s no way they could pay for it all.

Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a teacher. I used to put together worksheets and I made my friends do them when they came over—after a while nobody wanted to come over anymore!

My guidance counselor was the one who told me about Federal Student Aid and my mom was a big help in filling out the free application. It was a challenge, but so worth it when I got the grants and loans that made school possible.

What would I tell other kids? I would tell them not to give up—to look for options to go to school. There is a way, you just have to find it. You might have to work and save, but it is what you make it. Life is what you make it.

My name is Caitlin. I’m going to be a special education teacher. I’m going to live my dream.