Notes From Learn to Dream–Utah Scholars
Each fall, students embark on their higher education journey, aspiring to create a better life, seize more opportunities, and build a brighter future—making their dreams happen through the power of education. It’s a perfect time to celebrate student success. And while every student’s story is unique, some share a common thread: a little extra support that helped make their dreams a reality.
The Learn to Dream–Utah Scholarship, a joint partnership of Nelnet Bank and the Nelnet Foundation, helps remove cost barriers for students pursuing higher education. To help us celebrate student success, we share a few timeless thank-you notes from past recipients—each a reflection of what’s possible when students are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and follow through on their dreams.
It is thanks to your support that I am able to continue my education. This is one less worry I have now and I could not have done it without you. Thank you very much for your support on my educational journey. Be assured that your scholarship will make my dreams a reality, not only to graduate, but to be the first one in my family to graduate from a higher education institution.
I am hoping to graduate from Salt Lake Community College, where I am currently pursuing an associate degree in Business. Once I am done with that, my hope is to transfer to a four-year institution and pursue a bachelor’s degree in finance. After that I hope to hit the ground running in the finance field, hopefully somewhere in the investment side of finance. Just the impact of having the associate degree will open so many doors for me as I prepare to go into the field. Thanks to this scholarship, I can pursue going to a four-year institution. It is no longer out of reach.
It always seemed like a distant dream to continue my education, but your support not only gives me the motivation to keep going, it is also an investment. An investment in a brighter future and I will make sure that your investment pays dividends for years to come. My most sincere thanks for all your support. I hope to make you proud.
Respectfully,
Jesus R. Jimenez-Vivanco (Salt Lake Community College student)
Thank you so much for awarding me the Nelnet Learn to Dream scholarship. It would have been so difficult to get through my summer semester without having been awarded this amount of money and it’s going to help me immensely the next three months. I’ve been figuring out my own financial needs for the last three years and it’s been difficult while attending school as well.
I’m currently on track to graduate with my General Studies associate degree this coming fall semester. After this, I will apply to the radiologic technology program at both Salt Lake Community College and the University of Utah. Following this, I will enter the work field for a couple of years while going to school part-time to get my bachelor’s in public health in order to apply to a master’s program in physician assistant studies. This scholarship will allow me to put money aside for when I transfer to a university.
Thank you once again for the Nelnet Learn to Dream scholarship. This is going to help me, my education, and my family.
Sincerely,
Alyssa Rodriguez (Salt Lake Community College student)
During the height of Covid-19, I was diagnosed with degenerative disk disease. I fought through the pain completing my daily tasks, then came to the realization I could not continue in my current profession much longer. Switching careers after the age of 50 becomes complex. I chose cybersecurity, a growing field with plenty of opportunities. Working 40 hours, attending school another 24 hours, and commuting between work and school 15 hours each week, plus managing a household and finding time for my wife and three kids was challenging, but I was managing. As I was nearing the completion of the IT Technician course, I could either pay over $1,000 out of pocket to continue in school until the next portion of my Pell grant would be applied or take time off from school. Neither seemed like a viable option.
Thanks to this scholarship, I was able to continue in school uninterrupted for the duration of my courses. The impact of this financial assistance could not be measured, and putting this into words is not as easy as one may think. It meant being able to focus on school without worrying about finances, and being able to attend school and not decide whether I would have lunch today or skip a meal to pay for a portion of my school. This scholarship enabled me to complete the program uninterrupted, in a more timely manner, and without the added burden of trying to find financing. This was immensely helpful, and the appreciation that I have cannot be put into words. Thank you for believing in me, thank you for supporting me, thank you for the opportunity.
Derek Darcy (Tooele Technical College student)
To all the students continuing their academic journey—and to those just beginning it this fall—we applaud your efforts and your commitment. We wish you an exciting and rewarding learning adventure. We believe in the power of education to make dreams possible—and in your ability to achieve them. And to every Learn to Dream–Utah scholar: Your dedication and persistence inspires us.
