One Less Weight to Carry: The Impact of Scholarships

Ayman Ahmed, Education major, Class of 2028

Ayman Ahmed, Education major, Class of 2028

Thanks to scholarship support, Loyola University Chicago offers students from a wide range of backgrounds and with interests spanning across many different disciplines the chance to expand their knowledge in the service of humanity.  

Take Ayman Ahmed, for example. 

“I wish I could put into words the shock I felt when I learned I received several scholarships from Loyola. That news changed absolutely everything for me. I initially wanted to attend the school because my brother is an alum. He was part of the graduating class of 2020, and I heard nothing but good things about his experience. His advisors were really great. His teachers too. Loyola also aligned with my personal beliefs. I’m not Christian, I’m Muslim, but Loyola’s morals seemed like a good fit – not only from a mission standpoint but how they approach teaching. My brother conveyed how much they truly treat everyone with dignity and respect, and I really appreciated that. But there was still the financial aspect to take into account.” 

While the cost of tuition itself was certainly top of mind, the Education major was also concerned with being able to prioritize her studies while providing for herself. 

“I come from a very typical South Asian household, so I live with my parents. When I first applied to Loyola, we lived in Morton Grove, so the commute wouldn’t have been terrible. But then we moved to Barlett, and life was looking like it would become a lot more complicated. While in Morton Grove, I had an off-campus job so I could at least make enough money to pay for things like gas, food, and other essentials that I didn’t feel right burdening my parents with. But I had no idea how I would continue to do that when we moved, given my commute would become two hours each way. We moved the first week of August and I remember thinking, ‘okay wow, I now have 10 days to figure out how I’m going to support myself…’ not at all realizing yet that I was actually awarded my scholarships. Everything was very hectic and I was so stressed with figuring out my next move that it didn’t even occur to me to check my portal and see what I might have been awarded. It was an incredible relief. 

From then on out, I was able to fully focus on my education and I think that’s the part that goes overlooked about scholarships. They don’t only ease the financial burden; they alleviate the stress about everything outside of the classroom.” 

In Ayman’s case, this especially had an impact on meeting her student-teaching requirements. 

“For my teaching classes, I have to student-teach, and I have no idea how I could have done so if I also had an off-campus job. Between those long hours and my new commute, I fear it would have been nearly impossible. But now, not only can I hit all of my major’s requirements, I can do so well. I’ve made the Dean’s List every semester so far and I’m not sure that would have been possible either, without the scholarships I was given. I want to thank all of the donors that are blessed with the ability to help students like me. My parents immigrated to the United States for a better life for their kids and it means the world to be able to take just one weight off of their shoulders because of these scholarships. My brother was in a similar boat too and is now a cardiologist.” 

Student scholarships at Loyola all impact students in various ways but one thing always remains true: they change lives.