Michele H.

Institutional Scholarship Recipient

Major: Information Technology
Campus: Online
Anticipated Graduation Date: March 2012
Hometown: Avondale, AZ

Michele has Cystic Fibrosis and is a member of a Cystic Fibrosis forum sponsored by the Boomer Esiason Foundation (BEF). After the foundation shared information on a CF Scholarship, Michele decided to apply. She’d always wanted to earn her college degree but her medical expenses made it impossible. The full-tuition award would finally enable Michele to move forward on her educational goals.

So, Michele filled out an application to the University and wrote an essay on compliance to CF therapy and her post-graduation goals. She also provided a picture of herself and a letter from her doctor to the Boomer Esiason Foundation.

She feels fortunate to have been selected for the award. Without the scholarship, Michele knows she wouldn’t be in college working toward her degree. The medical expenses surrounding her double lung transplant don’t leave any room in her budget to cover her college costs. “This scholarship has presented a wonderful opportunity for me,” she says, “that I would otherwise have never had a chance to explore.”

Michele says her experience with University of Phoenix has been wonderful. Her academic advisor and faculty members have been very flexible and understanding regarding her medical challenges. She says she enjoys the online platform and has learned so much from her instructors and fellow students.

Even though she attends class online, she still feels intimately connected to the University, “It has been a positive and enlightening environment to be a part of and I do feel like I am a Phoenix, proud to be a part of this education environment.”

Michele plans to apply for more scholarships and believes it is well worth the time and effort to apply. Always remember, she says, that scholarships can help you reach your academic goals, “You too can become a Phoenix and be a part of an amazing educational experience.”

To learn about scholarship opportunities, visit the Scholarships page.