Growing up as the oldest of three children, and having a young mother, Jazmyn was forced to grow up quickly. From a very young age, she took on a caretaker role for her sisters to help support her family. Because of this, Jazmyn had to dim her college dreams.
“Everything I do is to make sure I can support myself,” Jazmyn said. “I never want to cause any problems for my family. I think everything that I’ve accomplished to this point was to help support them.”
Despite being a straight A student on the honor role, taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes and serving as Phoenix Central High School’s student body president, Jazmyn didn’t think she could attend university due to financial struggles.
In addition, Jazmyn lost her grandfather, so her family focused their resources on funeral expenses and supporting extended relatives. It seemed that Jazmyn’s dreams were diminished as the days went on.
That’s when Be A Leader stepped in.
Be A Leader’s Postsecondary Access and Enrollment program, funded in part by Valley of the Sun United Way and our donors, works with students and staff at schools to create accessible pathways to college.
This includes personal branding courses, networking opportunities, college application assistance, and what perhaps was most important for Jazmyn – assistance with FAFSA, which stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. FAFSA provides access to grants, federal student loans and work-study funds.
“I didn’t know about FAFSA until this program,” Jazmyn said. “FAFSA helped me directly apply for scholarships. It was a direct gateway to where I wanted to go.”
Over half the students in Central’s program go to college, and nearly 7 of 10 students complete their FAFSA, double the overall Arizona rate of 35%.
“Be A Leader is fortunate to be a grantee of Valley of the Sun United Way,” said Laila Sarah, Director of Be A Leader’s Postsecondary Transition Programs. “Through this partnership, we are able to support these FAFSA efforts and provide a hotline for students. All the things we do, Valley of the Sun United Way is a part of that. Not just through funding, but community partnership as well.”
The program also acts as a sounding board for students who may not have full family support.
“They help mold our students into what they believe they want to be,” said Martin Diaz, Assistant Principal for Achievement at Central High School. “They can connect with our students differently. I can tell you that programs like this understand what kids need. They don’t waste resources. They are an organization we can trust and they’re in touch with our community’s needs.”
Jazmyn was awarded the Pell Grant, a needs-based grant for students who display exceptional financial need. Unlike federal student loans, Pell Grants don’t have to be paid back.
“Be A Leader is perfectly aligned with our goals for Maricopa County, in ensuring youth stay engaged in education,” said Dawn Gerundo, Community Development & Engagement Director of Education at Valley of the Sun United Way. “Together we create a pipeline for students to look at their next steps and break down financial and resource barriers. Be A Leader is critical to our goals in creating opportunities for local youth.”
Because of her Pell Grant, Jazmyn’s dreams flourished. Jazmyn found out her hard work and Be A Leader’s wraparound services paid off when she received her acceptance letter for the University of Arizona, where she will be attending this fall.
“With Be A Leader and FAFSA, I can even afford to live on the UofA campus!” Jazmyn exclaimed. “When you look into your future with colleges, everything that Be A Leader provides is what you need. Be A Leader is the whole package. It set me up for the real world while in high school. The help with FAFSA did truly change my life!”
Jazmyn will study communications with a minor in journalism. She hopes to one day give back to improving education in Arizona – helping students just like herself, and her little sisters.
“I’ve learned no matter who you are, you’re always going to be a mentor for someone,” Jazmyn said. “With my sisters, they’re just like my mini-me’s. I do everything to be a positive role model for them.”
