For years, the dream of becoming a nurse quietly lingered in the background of Cecilia Ward’s life—patient and persistent, always waiting for the right moment. This January, that dream finally became reality when she began the nursing program at St. Clair County Community College. But the journey to that first day of class was far from easy.

“What many people don’t realize are the significant upfront costs of programs like nursing that aren’t typically covered by a traditional scholarship,” explains Jessica Flann, Program Officer for Postsecondary Success. “These expenses can threaten enrollment, closing the door to a future before it even starts.”

Cecilia’s journey to get into the nursing program was shaped by late nights, early mornings, and unwavering determination as she powered through four semesters of prerequisites, intense exam preparation, and constant sacrifice.

She didn’t anticipate the financial barriers that arrived all at once. Beyond tuition, there were required access codes, scrubs, clinical shoes, equipment, and supplies—unexpected costs that appeared just as she was trying to find her footing.

Thanks to strong and continued donor support for students like Cecilia, to cover those life needs expenses through the High Priority and Life Needs Fund at the Community Foundation, Cecilia was able to accept her spot in the program prepared, confident, and focused on learning.

“For many students, these expenses feel like an impassable wall,” Flann notes. “Life needs support doesn’t just ease the burden—it makes participation possible.”

Cecilia overcame barriers that could have ended her journey before it began because the Community Foundation helps students not only access college, but persist through it.

Originally from Lapeer and now raising her family in St. Clair County, Cecilia found balancing college, work, and motherhood a relentless juggling act. During her prerequisites, she worked full-time, attended school full-time, and parented full-time. Now, as a first-semester nursing student, her alarm goes off hours before dawn so she can study in the quiet before her children wake up. Once they do, she shifts seamlessly into “mom mode”—packing lunches, tying shoes, and navigating drop-offs—before heading straight to class. “There is no pause button, no backup plan, and no room for delay,” Cecilia says. “It’s exhausting, but deeply meaningful.”

Cecilia’s story shows what’s possible when hard work and dedication meet donor support at just the right moment. “We are so fortunate that our donors believe in our students ability to succeed with a little extra help through their entire college going experience, not just one time support like traditional scholarships,” shared Jackie Hanton, Vice President at the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.

“By investing in students through renewable scholarships and life needs support, donors help remove the barriers that stand between determined students and their degrees. This support doesn’t just fund education—it fuels futures, strengthens families, and ensures that those who want a better life can achieve it.”

If you would like to support the Community Foundation’s Life Needs Fund or explore creating your own scholarship fund, visit stclairfoundation.org/give or contact Jackie Hanton at jackie@stclairfoundation.org.