My parents came to the United States from Morocco to build a better life for me. As the first in my family to go to college I also felt that responsibility to make the most out of that opportunity by choosing a career path in pharmacy. This dream would have only been possible with the help of student loans. However, now with the passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which decreases student loan amounts, the cost of continuing my education could stand in the way of everything that my parents and I have worked for.

A Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, typically takes 3–4 years to complete, and on average costs $101,000-191,000. This is overwhelming to me because it’s not just about how hard I study anymore but it’s about whether I can actually afford to keep going. This fear isn’t just mine, it’s something that many prospective graduate students across the country are going through. In fact the average pharmacy student debt is around $171,000 which shows how expensive it can be. Knowing this in the back of my mind makes the pressure feel more real.

Connecticut lawmakers have proposed Senate bill 8 that would create a graduate school loan program funded by up to $10 million in state bonds. For me and other students trying to get into healthcare, this funding would make a huge difference. With this support students may not be pushed away from these careers.

When students are constantly thinking about tuition debt and loans it becomes harder to focus in class and take care of their mental health. According to the American Psychological Association financial stress is one of the leading factors for anxiety in young adults. 

For first generation students like myself, there can be an additional pressure in financing education. Research shows that about 80% of first generation students go through financial struggles and have to work long hours to pay for school.  

This doesn’t just affect individual students. It affects the healthcare system as a whole. Many healthcare careers including pharmacy require graduate degrees. If fewer students can afford those programs, fewer professionals will enter the field.

Senate Bill 8 is a step in the right direction. By creating a state-supported loan program Connecticut can make graduate education more accessible and reduce some of the financial stress students face. While it may not solve the larger issue of high tuition costs we see today, it provides support for students who need it now. When students are supported they are more likely to finish their programs, start a job and serve their communities. That benefits everyone.

As someone from Connecticut who hopes to work in healthcare, I don’t think financial barriers should determine who gets to pursue these careers. I’ve worked hard to get here and I want to keep going not just for myself, but for my family and people around me that I hope to help one day.

Passing Senate Bill 8 would help make sure that students like me can keep going and that the opportunities my parents came here for don’t stop here.

Rania Taoufik is a sophomore at Sacred Heart University, majoring in Health Science.