I began my journey at Weber State University in the summer of 2016. The only reason I came to Weber State specifically was because I was told I was being offered a full scholarship to play football.

Unfortunately, I never saw a penny.

When I was applying, I went through all of my transcripts with my counselor at my previous junior college multiple times, and we both saw that all of the requirements were met to receive the athletic scholarship.

A couple months after I had been practicing and getting ready to start the season, I was informed by the compliance office that I was somehow two units short.

Yes, two whole units.

Keep in mind, I came here as a junior, so I had plenty of classes that could have transferred over. So instead of playing that year, I had to redshirt the entire season. After the season and semester was over, I had finished my two units, but still no scholarship.

So essentially, all the hard work I put in was for nothing.

Later that spring, I stopped playing football for the Wildcats due to some unfortunate events. My parents and I had long discussions about whether we could still afford me attending WSU. We came to the conclusion that I have made it this far, and the end is near, so why stop now?

I wasn’t about to get to my senior year and just stop and waste all this money. I had to take out loads of loans and get some sort of financial aid to continue.

I now have three jobs while taking 12 units, which is not at all easy, especially being a good distance from home in California.

I understand I am going to have an enormous amount of loans to pay off, but I’m banking on the experience and bachelor’s degree I’m earning from my time here to help pay all of that off.

Money would obviously have made this journey a whole lot easier and more enjoyable, but honestly, having to struggle and figure things out on my own has probably benefitted me more in the long run. It has taught me to budget my finances, and to never take the little I do have for granted. I am getting a great education, and I spend time with some of my best friends every day. That’s something that I could never trade for some money.

Gladly I’m about to graduate and despite everything that has happened, I’m excited for what my future has to offer. Weber State, and especially The Signpost particularly, has had a big effect on my future success.