I am a child of immigrants. My parents came to this country from Mexico at a young age with nothing but a dream for a better life. They spoke very little English but their accomplishments are far from that. As a family, we didn’t have much financially, but my parents always made it a priority to provide us the best education they could afford. My story may be one in thousands that are similar, but it’s still just as important as any other.
When I decided to pursue an education after high school, I knew it would be an uphill battle. With fear and uncertainty about how I would afford a college tuition, an answer to my prayers came to my door. I received a letter from Gateway Community College (now CT State) informing me that I qualify for the PACT (Pledge to Advance Connecticut) program.
Suddenly all the anxiety and fear I had disappeared. Having the privilege of receiving PACT during community college was truly a blessing. PACT allowed me to participate fully in my education without worrying about how I would afford it. When I graduated from community college and enrolled at Southern Connecticut State University, it felt like a rude awakening. Even with an outstanding GPA and financial aid, my tuition skyrocketed from $0 a year to a daunting $7,000 a semester. All the anxiety and fear that had once been relieved came rushing back.
Like many students from families with limited financial means, I worked two part-time jobs while balancing a full academic load. I could no longer fully participate in my education the way I once could, forced to work long hours just to afford it. According to research from the Nation Center on Education Statistics (NCES), students who work 25 hours or more per week are less likely than those who don’t work at all, or only work less than 20 hours per week, to complete their bachelor’s degrees within six years. It’s a vicious cycle. Students overwork themselves and take on multiple jobs to pursue a higher education. Even worse, some take a break or withdraw from school entirely because they can not afford it.
Connecticut has ensured access to affordable tuition in community colleges, but why should those who choose to continue their education at four-year state colleges be left behind, overworked and forced to prioritize jobs over education? The current PACT program, now called the Mary Ann Handley Award, only applies to community colleges, and I firmly believe it’s time to extend the program to all Connecticut state colleges.
The cost of tuition keeps rising and students are burdened with debt more than ever before. According to NBC Connecticut, the Board of Regents approved a 5% increase in tuition and fees for state university and college students, with an average increase of $334 a year in tuition. These rising costs make it increasingly difficult for students, especially those from low-income families, to stay enrolled and focus on their education.
Expanding the Mary Ann Handley Award makes the statement that a quality, affordable education should not be a privilege– it should be a right. It would give all students the chance to graduate without the crushing weight of loans and empower them to reach their fullest potential.
There’s no denying that public higher education is a powerful tool for social mobility. It unlocks new opportunities, breaks generational cycles of poverty, and helps build a better future for the state of Connecticut. When more students graduate without debt, they are better positioned to give back to their communities and contribute to the economy. For example, CTPost states that more Connecticut born college graduates are staying in state, helping to bolster the state’s workforce. This reinforces the importance of making higher education more accessible and affordable, investing in education is investing in Connecticut’s future. Furthermore, the PACT program simply cannot stand for a “pledge to advance Connecticut” if it fails to aid a great portion of Connecticut that would help advance the state.
As a first-generation Mexican American student, I am living proof that with the right support, higher education can change lives. I was fortunate to have had access to the PACT program during my time at community college, but too many students are still missing out on this life-changing opportunity. Higher education has improved every aspect of my life. It has opened many doors and inspired me to dream bigger than I ever thought possible.
Litzy Garcia is a senior at Southern Connecticut State University