in Atchison Catholic Elementary School, their grandmother pays for uniforms for the younger kids, and all the older kids give as they’re able. That’s how we’re making it.�
Laurie Ghigliotti followed her daughter, Rachel, to Benedictine from Oklahoma at the beginning of the fall semester this year. She had been working on an Associate’s Degree but decided she wanted to pursue Bachelor’s Degrees in Mass Communication as well as Spanish. Her goal was to work with a diocesan newspaper or within a parish, diocese or non-profit group in some way.
Rachel has applied to leave the residence hall in order to move into the family home in Atchison. It would be a cost savings, but the more pressing reason would be just to help her mother.
“I felt like I needed to finish my degree at a Catholic, four-year school,� Laurie said. “There is only one in Oklahoma and it didn’t have either major.�
I knew the federal help would not be enough, so the scholarships were key.�
“It would be nice to have Rachel at home,� said Laurie. “It’s challenging, since I’m sort of here (involved in college), but I have three young children at home, so I’m not really.�
Rachel encouraged her mother to join her in Atchison, the majors were available at Benedictine, and quality Catholic education was also available for the younger siblings. The stars were in alignment and Laurie made the move. “The financial aid was a big factor,� Laurie admitted. “I have to look to the future. Michael RQH RI KHU VRQV LV LQ WK JUDGH VR LQ ILYH years he’ll be in college and I can’t have a lot of outstanding loans and debt. I knew the federal help would not be enough, so the scholarships were key.�
If all goes according to plan, the two will graduate WRJHWKHU LQ 0D\ RI 7KH HFRQRPLF GRZQWXUQ and financial sector crisis have disrupted plenty of plans, though, and the Ghigliottis are concerned how it all will affect their aid packages, both from the college and the federal government.
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“I want to be here, but without the grants and scholarships, I probably couldn’t do it,â€? said Rachel. “Looking to the future, being a math teacher isn’t going to pay much‌so I don’t want to have a lot of loans.â€?
Laurie received a government Pell Grant, along with an academic scholarship from Benedictine. Rachel landed a SMART Grant from the federal government since she is a mathematics major, along with a Pell Grant, an Angels Scholarship for tutoring math, and the Fr. Sylvester Schmitz Scholarship, an academic scholarship from BC. Both also have work-study hours. Even with all that, times are tight.
“We will get there,� said her mother with a reassuring pat on the hand. And by sheer force of will from a large and very close family, they will.
“The whole family is pitching in,� said Laurie. “One son (her oldest) pays tuition for the two
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