We are excited to announce the April 2025 Financial Goals Scholarship winner is Alex! Congratulations!
"I’m honored to receive the 1st Financial Bank USA Financial Goals Scholarship. This support propels me toward my academic and professional goals. Thank you for investing in my future. This means so much to me and my family." - Alex G.
Attending college comes with plenty of expenses. When money is tight, unexpected costs like a parking ticket or additional textbook can quickly disrupt your budget. Have you ever faced money stress as a student? In his essay, Alex shares a time when money was a challenge and gives his best advice for dealing with financial anxiety while balancing college life.
"As a first-generation college student and the child of hardworking immigrants, financial stress has been a constant part of my academic journey. My parents sacrificed endlessly to see me earn a place at the University of Chicago, something we all saw as a dream realized. Yet, even with a scholarship covering most of my tuition, the day-to-day reality of living expenses quickly reminded me that access to education doesn’t erase the weight of financial insecurity.
There were days when I didn’t have enough money for a proper meal- when grocery shopping became an exercise in calculation, not nutrition. I vividly remember skipping meals so I could stretch what little I had, studying through hunger because there was no other option. It’s humbling to realize that while you’re surrounded by opportunity, something as basic as food can still feel out of reach. Those moments were some of the hardest I’ve faced- not just physically, but mentally. Financial anxiety isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the constant undercurrent of worry that pulls at your focus, your confidence, and sometimes even your sense of belonging.
What I’ve learned, though, is that while money plays a serious role in shaping life’s circumstances, how we respond to financial challenges defines us even more. My best advice to anyone facing financial anxiety in college is twofold: ask for help, and give yourself grace.
For many first-generation students like me, there’s a deep sense of pride and responsibility—not wanting to burden family, not wanting to admit when things are hard. But I learned that universities have resources for a reason. Whether it’s a campus food pantry, emergency grants, or simply talking to an advisor, reaching out doesn’t mean you’ve failed, it means you’re using every tool available to succeed.
Equally important is learning to be kind to yourself. Financial stress can make you feel like you’re constantly behind or not doing enough. But surviving (and thriving) under those conditions takes resilience. Celebrate that resilience. Recognize that balancing academics, finances, and personal well-being is no small task, and every step forward is a victory.
Money will always be a factor, but it doesn’t get to define your worth or limit your potential. I’ve faced moments where I didn’t know how I’d make it through the week, but I’m still here, now a junior, continuing to chase the education my family and I dreamed of. Financial anxiety is real, but so is the strength we find in overcoming it. And that strength, once built, lasts far beyond any temporary hardship.”
Established in the year 1910, 1st Financial Bank USA (1FBUSA) provides quality community banking services in South Dakota, credit card and other financial services to college students and college graduates, and construction lending to builders, developers, and investors from coast to coast. 1FBUSA will award a $2,000 scholarship to a new winner each month. View full rules and eligibility at 1fbusascholarship.com.
