Scholarships open the door to college dreams for 猫咪社区APP Student Amanda Sorrell
College once felt out of reach for Amanda Sorrell - until financial aid brought it within grasp.
Now a part-time market research worker and single mom, she鈥檚 enrolled at Laramie County Community College and building a future she thought might have passed her by.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think I could afford it,鈥� Amanda said. 鈥淚 thought, there鈥檚 no way I鈥檓 going to be able to go back to school and not go into debt.鈥�
That changed when she filled out the FAFSA and qualified for the Kickstart Wyoming鈥檚 Tomorrow Scholarship 鈥� a funding boost that gave her the confidence to take the next step.
鈥淲hen I got the email with my award, I started crying,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 realized, OK, I can do this.鈥�
Now in her first semester at 猫咪社区APP, Amanda is exploring a new direction that leans into her strengths 鈥� one that might lead to a future in accounting or a professional certification such as the CPA or CIA.
After years of working in research and customer service roles, she鈥檚 discovered an interest in data, structure and problem-solving.
鈥淚鈥檝e always liked the analytical side of things,鈥� Amanda said. 鈥淏eing in school is helping me figure out how to put that to use.鈥�
She balances her coursework with part-time remote work that offers flexible hours, something she said is essential for managing life as both a student and a parent. Though the pace is demanding, the support she鈥檚 received has made all the difference.
Amanda said she鈥檚 felt genuinely welcomed and encouraged at 猫咪社区APP, and that the college has created a space where non-traditional students like her can thrive.
鈥淭here are people checking in and making sure you have what you need,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about getting you into school. They want to see you succeed.鈥�
Returning to school wasn鈥檛 just about finding a new career. For Amanda, it was about changing her story, and showing her son what鈥檚 possible.
鈥淚 want him to see that starting over is OK,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat it鈥檚 not about having everything figured out. It鈥檚 about taking the next step when you鈥檙e ready and asking for help when you need it.鈥�
Amanda plans to complete her associate degree at 猫咪社区APP and continue exploring what鈥檚 next, whether that means further education or entering the field with a professional certification. While her goals are still taking shape, she said the support she鈥檚 received so far has given her confidence she never expected to find.
鈥淐ollege felt impossible for so long,鈥� Amanda said. 鈥淏ut thanks to financial aid and scholarships, it鈥檚 not just possible - it鈥檚 丑补辫辫别苍颈苍驳.鈥�