When Carolin reflects on her journey to earning a bachelor’s degree, she describes a path filled with uncertainty, perseverance, and ultimately, success. Having moved to the U.S. at the age of one, Carolin defied the odds to become a college graduate and a lead teacher in her field through determination, community support, and the Alray Scholars Program.
For Carolin, school had always been accessible—until it wasn’t. “Elementary school, middle school, high school, everything was good simply because it was free,” she recalled. She never imagined college would be within reach. “When it came to going to college, I never thought I would have the opportunity.” Carolin first tested the waters of higher education by enrolling in a summer class at Bunker Hill Community College. Even that single course, however, required her family to scrape together funds—an experience that reinforced her belief that college was financially out of reach. “Seeing how hard they struggled, I just never thought it was a possibility.”
A small breakthrough came when she received a scholarship from the West End House, an organization she had been involved with in high school. That support helped her complete her associate’s degree, but the dream of a bachelor’s degree still seemed distant. It wasn’t until her aunt encouraged her to apply for Duet/SNHU, a college support program. Hesitant at first, she applied anyway and got in. Duet then led her to discover the Alray Scholars Program as another potential scholarship opportunity, which she was also hesitant to apply for. “I thought, ‘There’s no way I’m going to get it,’” she admitted. “But I did.”
Receiving the Alray scholarship was a turning point. “The scholarship was one of the main reasons I was really able to finish my bachelor’s degree,” Carolin said. Before Alray, she was already calculating different ways to save money to afford school. The financial relief Alray provided allowed her to focus on her studies without the stress of tuition looming over her.
Nevertheless, Alray offered more than just financial aid. Through the program, Carolin was paired with a mentor who provided invaluable guidance and emotional support. “It wasn’t just about academics. My mentor and I had a real connection. We had a lot in common, and it was great to have someone to talk to, whether it was about school stress or just life in general.” One of the most profound moments in Carolin’s journey came after she was in a bike accident. At a time when she felt isolated and overwhelmed, her mentor became a pillar of support. “I was going through a tough time, and I remember feeling really alone,” she shared. “But my mentor was always checking in on me, making sure I was okay. It reminded me that I wasn’t alone.”
That encouragement extended beyond personal hardships to academic challenges as well. Like many students, Carolin faced moments of doubt, especially toward the end of her program when coursework piled up. “I just wanted to quit,” she admitted. “But I kept telling myself, ‘I’m so close to finishing. Just push through it.’” With her mentor’s reassurance and her own perseverance, she did just that.
The Alray Scholars Program gave Carolin more than just financial aid—it provided her with mentorship, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. She remains close with her mentor, Octavia, and values the bond they built throughout her journey. “It really feels like I gained a friend,” she said. With the support of Alray and her own determination, Carolin has not only rewritten her future but also proven to herself that she is capable of achieving anything she sets her mind to.
With her degree in hand, Carolin has already seen doors open. She now earns a higher salary as a lead teacher. “Having my bachelor’s degree made that opportunity possible,” she said. Beyond her teaching career, Carolin has discovered new confidence in her ability to achieve her goals. “Finishing my degree in such a short time made me realize how much I can accomplish if I put my mind to it,” she shared. That mindset has even fueled a new passion—baking. She now bakes and sells cupcakes as a side business. “If I can get my bachelor’s degree, I can definitely make a cupcake or a cake!” she laughed.
When Carolin reflects on her journey to earning a bachelor’s degree, she describes a path filled with uncertainty, perseverance, and ultimately, success. Having moved to the U.S. at the age of one, Carolin defied the odds to become a college graduate and a lead teacher in her field through determination, community support, and the Alray Scholars Program.
For Carolin, school had always been accessible—until it wasn’t. “Elementary school, middle school, high school, everything was good simply because it was free,” she recalled. She never imagined college would be within reach. “When it came to going to college, I never thought I would have the opportunity.” Carolin first tested the waters of higher education by enrolling in a summer class at Bunker Hill Community College. Even that single course, however, required her family to scrape together funds—an experience that reinforced her belief that college was financially out of reach. “Seeing how hard they struggled, I just never thought it was a possibility.”
A small breakthrough came when she received a scholarship from the West End House, an organization she had been involved with in high school. That support helped her complete her associate’s degree, but the dream of a bachelor’s degree still seemed distant. It wasn’t until her aunt encouraged her to apply for Duet/SNHU, a college support program. Hesitant at first, she applied anyway and got in. Duet then led her to discover the Alray Scholars Program as another potential scholarship opportunity, which she was also hesitant to apply for. “I thought, ‘There’s no way I’m going to get it,’” she admitted. “But I did.”
Receiving the Alray scholarship was a turning point. “The scholarship was one of the main reasons I was really able to finish my bachelor’s degree,” Carolin said. Before Alray, she was already calculating different ways to save money to afford school. The financial relief Alray provided allowed her to focus on her studies without the stress of tuition looming over her.
Nevertheless, Alray offered more than just financial aid. Through the program, Carolin was paired with a mentor who provided invaluable guidance and emotional support. “It wasn’t just about academics. My mentor and I had a real connection. We had a lot in common, and it was great to have someone to talk to, whether it was about school stress or just life in general.” One of the most profound moments in Carolin’s journey came after she was in a bike accident. At a time when she felt isolated and overwhelmed, her mentor became a pillar of support. “I was going through a tough time, and I remember feeling really alone,” she shared. “But my mentor was always checking in on me, making sure I was okay. It reminded me that I wasn’t alone.”
That encouragement extended beyond personal hardships to academic challenges as well. Like many students, Carolin faced moments of doubt, especially toward the end of her program when coursework piled up. “I just wanted to quit,” she admitted. “But I kept telling myself, ‘I’m so close to finishing. Just push through it.’” With her mentor’s reassurance and her own perseverance, she did just that.
The Alray Scholars Program gave Carolin more than just financial aid—it provided her with mentorship, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. She remains close with her mentor, Octavia, and values the bond they built throughout her journey. “It really feels like I gained a friend,” she said. With the support of Alray and her own determination, Carolin has not only rewritten her future but also proven to herself that she is capable of achieving anything she sets her mind to.
With her degree in hand, Carolin has already seen doors open. She now earns a higher salary as a lead teacher. “Having my bachelor’s degree made that opportunity possible,” she said. Beyond her teaching career, Carolin has discovered new confidence in her ability to achieve her goals. “Finishing my degree in such a short time made me realize how much I can accomplish if I put my mind to it,” she shared. That mindset has even fueled a new passion—baking. She now bakes and sells cupcakes as a side business. “If I can get my bachelor’s degree, I can definitely make a cupcake or a cake!” she laughed.
“It wasn’t just about academics. My mentor and I had a real connection. We had a lot in common, and it was great to have someone to talk to, whether it was about school stress or just life in general.”