Our goal this year is to raise a minimum of $300,000 in support of Financial Aid. This fund is not just a number; it's a lifeline for students aspiring to make a difference. We invite the SMUS community to be part of the effort to continuously build excellence.
Happy February! We often associate this month with love, affection and showing appreciation for our loved ones. At St. Michaels University School, we go beyond and express our kindness and generosity in support of removing financial barriers for students.
I can remember being a student once let alone an international student. I knew even before applying to my school that scholarships were only awarded to permanent residents and citizens only, so I never even dreamed about one day receiving any kind of financial assistance. But for my family, education was the top priority, along with gaining a diverse perspective in life. My parents were determined to make sure I got this experience.
To my utter and absolute surprise, when I received my acceptance letter, with it came an award for a merit scholarship! Now that I work in Advancement for an educational institution, I understand more than ever that for a school to have the ability to award something like that, it could only have come from the kindness and generosity of not one, not two, but a cumulative effort of countless number of families and individuals who share the common core belief of making quality education accessible to those who need it the most.
This February, I invite you to join us in celebrating the transformative power of Financial Aid. At SMUS, we believe in the profound impact of education, and Financial Aid is our gateway to making dreams come true for students by not letting financial challenges be a barrier to their educational journey.
Financial Aid Breaks Barriers and Embraces Diversity
Our commitment to a diverse student body is unwavering. Financial aid plays a pivotal role in breaking down barriers of geography and demographics, allowing us to recruit exceptional students worldwide. No matter where they come from, every student at SMUS has the opportunity to thrive.
I grew up in a small, rural town in Alaska. Attending SMUS was absolutely contingent on receiving financial assistance. Seeing the opportunities that SMUS gave to another local Alaskan, I knew I could achieve the same success. I had, and still have, large goals in life from a young age and attending SMUS gave me the confidence and the ability to achieve those goals.
I am about to graduate with my master’s of science in aquaculture from the University of Miami. I fully believe that I would not be in the position that I am without SMUS. I went from a small-town kid with big dreams to graduating with a master’s degree from one of the world’s leading research institutions in my field. I don’t think I could have achieved this without the confidence, experience, and knowledge that SMUS gave me.
Financial Aid Empowers Families
Financial aid is not just a one-time opportunity. Families can apply for aid during the admissions process and even after enrolment. This ensures that students, regardless of their financial circumstances, have the ongoing support they need to excel academically and beyond.
Financial support made it possible for me to attend SMUS. Receiving the Appleyard award and the Beeston Scholarship were especially integral in my capability to attend SMUS. My family would not be able to maintain the tuition fees if it were not for the financial support we received.
I now live in Downtown Vancouver, where I work for one of the biggest banks in Canada. Prior to this, I attended and graduated from UBC, which I was thoroughly prepared for by attending SMUS. Therefore, I absolutely believe SMUS prepared me well for these next stages of my life. If it were not for SMUS, I doubt I would be where I am today. I look forward to hopefully being able to give back and provide FA for SMUS students in the future, as I know firsthand how positively impactful it is.
Please join the SMUS community in helping young people attend our school and enjoy a world-class education. Visit our website today to make a gift and play a crucial role in shaping the future of SMUS students. Your support is an investment in the leaders, innovators, and change-makers of tomorrow.
Let's make this Financial Aid February a month of empowerment, inspiration, and impact. Together, we can turn dreams into reality.
