As a first-generation college student, Ingrid had no roadmap for higher education. The entire process felt like a maze until the day she noticed a promotional table in her high school cafeteria.
“At first, I was too shy to go up to them,” Ingrid admits. “But then I kept seeing the same person at the same table, and I finally thought, I’m going to go up and ask what it’s about.”
That single step opened a door to College Possible Texas, where she met her coach.
“Since I’m a first-generation student, I had no clue what I was doing; I still kind of feel that way sometimes,” Ingrid says with a laugh. “But College Possible really helped steer me in the direction I wanted to go.”
The Power of a Dedicated Coach
Ingrid credits her College Possible Texas coach, Alex, with helping her demystify everything from application essays to financial aid.
“I really couldn’t thank her enough,” Ingrid says. “I would send her my drafts, and she’d help me clean up the grammar. She also brought up many scholarship opportunities and made sure I knew how to apply.”
Beyond proofreading, Alex broke down confusing financial aid jargon that often deters first-generation students, like the critical differences between subsidized and unsubsidized loans.
“No one in my circle had a clue about that,” Ingrid says. “Alex explained it multiple times until it made sense. She truly prioritizes her students.”
Choosing St. Edward’s University
When it came time to choose a school, Ingrid knew she wanted a close-knit community. St. Edward’s University in Austin fit the bill perfectly. “A smaller class size makes it a much less stressful environment for me,” Ingrid explained.
However, the initial sticker shock almost changed her mind. When Ingrid first saw the full cost of tuition and living expenses, she almost crossed St. Edward’s off her list.
“Once I got the actual financial aid estimate, and with some extra motivation from College Possible, I realized it was actually within reach,” Ingrid recalled.
Today, Ingrid is planning to study accounting at St. Edward’s, with her sights firmly set on earning her Certified Management Accountant credential.
Looking Ahead
Now that she’s on campus, Ingrid is ready to embrace the full college experience and plans to join physical activity and gardening clubs.
“For college, I want to make it feel like a second home,” Ingrid says.
The reality of her new journey truly sank in during orientation. For the first time, she was stepping onto a campus without her high school friends by her side.
“It didn’t really click until I was actually there, seeing all these new faces,” Ingrid says. “It gave me a preview of my future. I realized: This is what it’s going to be like. You have to put yourself out there and meet new people.”
Stepping into that unknown takes grit, but Ingrid isn’t navigating the transition alone.
“College is the ultimate space for self-discovery, but it requires students to take an active role in shaping their own future,” says Anakaren, her College Possible advisor. “Ingrid arrived on campus with exactly the kind of open-minded energy that allows a student to truly thrive. Our team is going to be in her corner every step of the way until she walks across that graduation stage.”
Ingrid’s Advice for Future Students
When asked what she would tell high school seniors standing in the shoes she once wore, Ingrid’s advice is simple: never be afraid to ask questions.
“Even if you think a question is small or dumb, ask it anyway,” Ingrid says. “I’m sure other people have the exact same question and are just too afraid to speak up. Because of College Possible, I built the confidence to keep asking questions instead of getting lost in confusion by myself.”
