Above: Skyler Smith on a hike in Connecticut during extended Spring Break after the initial start of the pandemic.
Do you ever wonder where your UAF scholarship money actually comes from? I never gave it much thought even though I received lots of support and several community-based scholarships from local businesses in my hometown of Haines. It wasn’t until I started working at CBSM planning for UA Giving Day that I connected the dots about where UAF scholarship money comes from.
Giving Days are common at universities across the nation, but for the UA campuses, it is a relatively new program only three years in the making. A lot of work goes into our UA Giving Day. As a CBSM Student Marketing Assistant, I designed marketing, content, website development and coordinated interdepartmental communications, just some of the tools used to make a successful event. But that isn’t the story I am here to tell you.
I wasn't even sure I was going to make it to college. Coming from a low-income family, I had little or no financial support available. I also carried the additional challenge of emotional abuse, so I knew the road to college was going to be difficult. I worked two jobs the summer after graduating high school before making the decision to attend college as a first-generation student, even though I was unsure how I would pay my way.
I was accepted into UAF, my dream college since I was a freshman in high school. The excitement soon waned when I realized that it was unlikely I would be able to afford college without going into debt, even at a value-priced school such as UAF. I may not have made it without the scholarships from my tight-knit community. Businesses and community leaders in Haines band together every year to provide graduating seniors with scholarship opportunities as they take their next steps in life. With this amazing opportunity, I secured enough funding to cover my first year. While exploring how to continue funding my education, I was directed to UAF general scholarships by an academic advisor.
Right: Skyler Smith posing for a photo on a hike with friends while dressed in UAF orientation gear.
I discovered a way to pay for my college education, but in March of 2020, everybody’s life changed, including mine. Financial stability flew out the window, and whether or not I would even be returning to UAF was unknown. A lot of tough decisions were made, but my partner and I were lucky enough to find ourselves back in Fairbanks and both enrolled in classes in the fall.
As a first-generation student, there were many resources available that I didn’t know about. In particular, the Hall to Home scholarship alleviated our housing expenses, often not covered by traditional scholarships. During the height of the pandemic, my savings were depleted and I lost my campus job due to budget cuts. I was applying to every available scholarship. Due to my determination, I did receive scholarship funding and even a job at the UAF Alumni Office. This meant I was able to continue my academic journey.
And I did it! I graduated with my associates degree in December 2022 with plans to relocate to the lower 48 with my partner to start our professional careers. Life, however, interrupted once again. I needed to stay one more semester while my partner completed their degree. That meant we didn’t have the money for me to continue taking classes. I did have a student job as a CBSM Student Marketing Assistant, but I needed to be enrolled to stay employed. With my choices limited, I was starting to freak out.
Scholarships to the rescue again! Luckily, a week before I would have ended my job at CBSM, I was offered a retention scholarship from the department. This scholarship sets aside funds for students who need a boost to stay in school. The award allowed me to keep my job and take several marketing and business classes toward my bachelor’s degree in applied management. Once again, I would not have progressed without that financial aid.
In my position as a CBSM Student Marketing Assistant, I planned two of the UA Giving Days. During this event, I not only helped raise money for fellow students who also rely on scholarship support, I also had the chance to share my own story. My hope is for others to understand the importance of Giving Day and the change it makes in the lives of students, just like me.
Left: Skyler Smith and her partner, Millard, posing for their engagement photos.
Above: UAF CBSM Giving Day Video featuring students, donors, faculty, and staff around the UAF campus.