Without this scholarship, I would probably not be able to attend Lewis & Clark. Thank you.

attend the Lewis & Clark graduate school for education and counseling. I want to become a licensed mental health counselor.

Thank you for the opportunities given to me through your support. Without the Costco Wholesale Scholarship, I could not attend Lewis & Clark College and pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer. My family and I have struggled financially since moving to the U.S. from Cuba, so being able to attend a school like Lewis & Clark is a dream come true. This scholarship has also given me the opportunity to study abroad and get to know the world in a different way that would not have been possible for me without it.

I have wanted to become a lawyer since I was a kid and have also always been interested in history and political science. The program at Lewis & Clark closest to Pre-law is the political science program making it an easy choice as a major. As for my history major, I thought it could be helpful with my future.

After graduation, I plan to attend law school and become the first person in my family to get a master's degree and become a lawyer.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to study. This scholarship helped me be more focused on my education rather than working or finding a way to afford my expenses. It also gave me hope and motivation to keep working hard toward earning my bachelor’s degree.

I am still not 100% sure but I would like to do, but I want to earn my master’s or find a job here in the United States.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for The Costco Wholesale Scholarship. This scholarship holds immense significance in my life, particularly as I navigate the challenges of affording college and living expenses since the passing of my mother due to cancer. My mother's dream was for me to pursue a college education and earn my bachelor’s degree, and her unwavering support has always been my driving force. Despite her physical absence, she remains my greatest inspiration, especially in my pursuit of a career in healthcare. Not a day goes by without reflecting on her impact on my life. Receiving this scholarship not only helps the financial burden but also symbolizes a step closer to fulfilling my mother's aspirations and realizing my own educational and career goals. I am profoundly grateful for your support, and I want to extend my sincere thanks for this opportunity.

I have chosen to pursue a career in public health due to its profound impact on my life. Throughout my upbringing, I observed a disconcerting bias against minority populations within the healthcare system. This awareness heightened as I witnessed my parents facing additional challenges and disparities in healthcare due to their minority background. At the age of 15 or 16, I frequently found myself translating and assisting my parents with intricate paperwork during medical appointments. It was during these moments that I couldn't ignore the evident absence of readily available translators in medical facilities. These firsthand encounters ignited my passion for addressing healthcare disparities, particularly those affecting minority communities, and have motivated my decision to study public health. I am committed to contributing to the improvement of healthcare accessibility and equity, ensuring that diverse populations receive the care they deserve. Although, it wasn't until I turned 19 that I truly confronted the deficiencies within our existing healthcare system. During this period, while juggling my part-time business studies, I secured a position as a Patient Access Representative at the local hospital and clinic. This experience provided an unfiltered view of the disparities within our healthcare landscape. I observed a significant number of Hispanic patients seeking care, who often received minimal assistance. Many struggled to communicate or fully comprehend the information provided by healthcare professionals. Remarkably, I found myself as the sole Spanish speaker available to offer assistance. This experience ignited my pursuit of a public health degree and my aspiration to contribute significantly to healthcare. The injustices I witnessed further fueled my determination to address them. I aspire to be part of a healthcare transformation that ensures equitable access and support for everyone, regardless of their background or language barriers. This personal experience marked the beginning of my journey, motivating me to dedicate myself to the study of public health and ultimately reshape the healthcare landscape for the better. However, two years ago my commitment to this path was truly solidified. My mom was diagnosed with cancer, and later in November, she passed away. The abrupt diagnoses and subsequent decline of her health presented emotional and navigational challenges within our healthcare system. Before her diagnosis, she had been the sole provider for our family, with insurance coverage through her job. However, after leaving her job due to health reasons, the small disability payments she received were mostly directed toward exorbitant medical premiums. The transition to state insurance required shifting her treatment to different facilities due to changes in coverage, resulting in care delays. Additionally, her insurance occasionally denied coverage for crucial medications, impacting her well-being. This phase of my life exposed more healthcare shortcomings. My extensive familiarity with the healthcare world, acquired through work experience, enabled me to navigate this complex terrain effectively. It was an eye-opening realization that, without my knowledge, my parents might have struggled to advocate for themselves in such circumstances. The world of disability and healthcare are big challenges for many people. My goal is to support families in similar situations by providing assistance and guidance. My future career aspiration is to contribute significantly to the transformation of healthcare, ensuring equitable access, breaking down barriers, and making a tangible impact on individuals and families facing challenges within the system.

My professional objective is to serve as a catalyst for positive change within the existing healthcare system. I aspire to be a pillar of support for families undergoing challenges like those I have witnessed, offering assistance and guidance throughout their healthcare journey. Looking ahead, my career aspiration is to play a significant role in the broader transformation of healthcare, with a focus on ensuring equitable access, dismantling barriers, and effecting tangible improvements for individuals and families navigating systemic challenges. The experiences I have encountered have not only solidified my determination but also strengthened my conviction to bring about meaningful change in healthcare practices and policies. This commitment is driven by a genuine desire to alleviate the struggles I have personally witnessed and experienced, fostering a healthcare landscape that prioritizes inclusivity, accessibility, and the overall well-being of diverse communities.

I am so blessed to have received this scholarship. Moving from Texas to Oregon to attend college was both an emotional and financial challenge for my parents and me. It was a big decision that was not easy to make and receiving this scholarship was a helpful reminder that there are people out there who are willing to help. God is so faithful and has been with me every step of the way. Thank you so much for your generosity.

I greatly value the Costco Wholesale Scholarship because it has relieved me of the financial burden associated with attending college. As a first-generation student, the concern of financing my higher education always weighed heavily on my mind. However, thanks to the Costco Wholesale Scholarship, I'm now one step closer to advancing my educational pursuits.

I selected Linfield University due to its diverse and inclusive community. The first-generation program they offer provided a strong sense of belonging. Furthermore, during my university tour, I was struck by the warmth and friendliness of their professors. I selected my major of political science because my culture has always held great significance in my life, and law has consistently been one of my passions.

Following my graduation, I intend to take a gap year to explore and embrace the beauty of life through travel. During this time, I also plan to collaborate with various organizations to discover how I can best utilize my degree and determine my career path.

Thank you, again, for your investment in the University of Portland and students like me. I hope to give back to the university someday and help a student reach their educational goals with a scholarship.

The Costco Wholesale scholarship is meaningful to me because I'm an international student who doesn't have much money to pay for my studies. Thank you for all the help and the opportunity to receive this scholarship.

After graduating, I would love to continue my studies at a master’s program in the U.S. I hope that I can find an internship that I like and keep working at that company.

This scholarship is meaningful to me because it helps me continue my pursuit of higher education. I've always valued education, but I never thought I would be able to attend college. Because of scholarships like The Costco Wholesale Scholarship, I can pursue my dream of receiving a college degree. Thank you!

I chose to study education and learning because I have a passion for teaching. I want to create a safe learning environment for all my students, and I want people to view learning as fun and enjoyable. I chose Pacific University because they reflect my personal values, and their education program is excellent.

After graduation, I hope to begin teaching in an elementary setting. I want to teach younger children because I believe that students begin forming their opinions about learning early.

The Costco Wholesale Scholarship has given me the opportunity to attend college and study something that is meaningful to me and will help me make a difference in the world. Scholarships like this allow me to expand my mind so I can constantly grow in my profession now and into the future. Thank you for giving the privilege of education to so many.

I really felt as though my nursing major chose me. I originally was meant to attend another school in my area and take a different track in the medical field. By the grace of God, University of Portland offered me scholarships I couldn't deny. This was confirmation that I was meant to be on this path helping others and giving back to the communities around me.

After graduation, I plan to stay in my area and work on a Med-Surg unit as I begin my nursing career. I hope to transition to travel nursing at some point so I can provide holistic care across the country. After years of traveling, I want to get into OR or PACU nursing and further delve into a specialty. I may even go back to school!

As a mostly independent, first-generation college student, the Costco Wholesale Scholarship was especially meaningful to me. For most of my young adult life, I didn't have a strong support system. The lack of assistance resulted in me becoming self-sufficient. Entering my senior year as a student nurse, this will be the first donor funded scholarship that I will have received, and it came at a great time. I've been working hard, trying to get good grades and learn the curriculum. I want to make myself and those who care about me proud. This scholarship has really been a milestone in discovering my own self-worth. And so, I want to thank you and express my gratitude for recognizing my hard work and what I have to offer as a person. Your generosity will be of significant help. It will allow me to focus on finishing my senior year in a determined and spirited way.

When I was a kid, I had a couple hospital visits, where I ended up alone without family or friends. In those instances, the nurses had given me a sense of security and made me feel comfortable and safe in an otherwise scary time for me. Those moments have stuck with me ever since and have been the primary motivation for nursing as a career choice. I would like the opportunity to help those in need during their most vulnerable moments, while potentially creating a lifelong memory for them as the nurses had once done for me.

After graduation I plan on seeking employment in a hospital. I'm not quite sure of the unit yet, but I want to work on honing my skills and my confidence as a nurse. I also want more exposure to different units or settings, to determine what the best fit is for me in the long term.

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to express my appreciation to Costco Wholesale for the wonderful support that you have given to me throughout my educational journey. Your gift has motivated and encouraged me to overcome obstacles in life to be able to better concentrate in my studying. The first time I received this scholarship, I cried because I knew that I needed financial support to help me pay for my school and at the same time help me take care of my family with my two small children. I hope that Costco Wholesale will continue helping more of students who are struggling in life to continue their education. From that, we can have more opportunities to enhance our knowledge and become a better version of who we are from yesterday. Together, we can build a greater society; one that is full of love, kindness, sharing, support and empathy. Once again, thank you so much for your kindness to me and many other students.

This scholarship is very meaningful to me because it has helped tremendously in alleviating the financial burdens of pursuing higher education. As a first-generation college student, it has been a dream of mine to be able to attend college and work towards my passions. I'm very thankful to the Costco Wholesale Scholarship for helping make that dream into a reality for me. This scholarship allows me to focus on my education and academic progress rather than worrying about having a job while in school. This act of generosity will help me continue to work hard on my degree!

I chose Pacific University because, not only was it close to home, but it also had a very welcoming learning environment. I felt very supported and represented as a student. I also chose Pacific because of the focus on public health and outreach opportunities to help those in my community. As for my major, I pursued dental hygiene because I have always loved the dental field and I really enjoyed shadowing at dental offices. Getting to see the direct impact dental hygienists can make on a patient’s oral health and confidence made me more certain about my career choice.

After graduation, I plan to start working in a public health setting as a dental hygienist. I would like to use my knowledge to give back to those in my community and improve their health. I also want to travel more and go see the countries on my bucket list!

My family and I struggled financially, and I feel as though a "thank you" is not enough, but thank you, nonetheless. This scholarship is not only an investment in my future and wellbeing, but also in the happiness of me and all those I hold dear. Words cannot express how grateful I am, but I hope you know that I'll make good use of this opportunity so that, eventually, I can give back to society.

I chose Lewis & Clark College because of its beautiful campus and wonderful professors. The fact that it was a liberal arts school appealed to me because I was not entirely sure what I wanted to do in life, so why not try a little bit of everything? I chose biology as my major because I am interested in the medical field. Essentially, I want a career that can help people and I felt I could do that best by pursuing a degree in biology.

After graduation, I plan to look for job opportunities involving my major. I'm also considering doing the MCAT and applying for med school, preferably in my home state of Hawaii.

I had lived off-campus for the three years of my college experience. This year, I am a senior and I wanted to move into a dorm. It was a dream for me, but I could not afford it before the Costco Wholesale Scholarship was awarded to me in addition to other financial aid. Today, I have a space in which I can focus, study, and, of course, sleep aside my roommate's cat. I can now say that I had the entire college experience!

After graduation, I plan to find a teaching position either in my home county of Yamhill or in Lincoln City. I plan to eventually earn my PhD in either Literature or Creative Writing. I plan to continue writing and get a book published. So far, I have written three chapters.

This scholarship was meaningful to me because it allowed me to attend nursing school without accumulating debt. Thank you!

Work in a labor and delivery department.

The Costco Wholesale Scholarship allows me to continue the dream I once thought was impossible. I am the first in my family to graduate high school and the first to attend university. I don't want to be the only one. I want to set an example for my siblings and others after me. Thank you so much for this gift. I am super grateful.

I plan to pursue my master's in counseling and become a licensed, professional counselor.

The Costco Wholesale Scholarship is meaningful to me and my family because it allows me access to higher education and reduces financial stress. It will allow me to be successful and focus on my studies rather than how I will pay for college. Thank you!

The Costco Wholesale Scholarship is truly meaningful to me. I don't think people recognize how hard it is to find scholarships. I have taken out a few loans and it's awesome to know that this is helping ease my financial burden. Thank you for your help. It's greatly appreciated.

Thank you for choosing me as a recipient of the Costco Wholesale Scholarship! I am a sophomore at Reed College (Class of 2026) majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology. Currently, I work for Reed's athletic center doing equipment maintenance, and aim to conduct research for the school over the summer, as well. Through the aid provided by this scholarship, I can allocate more time to achieving my goal of completing higher education.

The 2016 Presidential Election happened during my first year of middle school. Despite being extremely opinionated (which has echoed throughout the rest of my adolescence), I was somewhat of a shy and timid child. This changed after my social science teacher decided that students in his class were required to follow the presidential election. At first, the political jargon and election laws confused me, as I was only ten and had no clue what the electoral college did or how the economy functioned. Yet this simple requirement blossomed into a passion for social and environmental justice as I became extraordinarily attentive to the political climate surrounding me; questions involving immigration, environmental concerns, and racial injustices piqued my interest. At the end of the sixth grade, my heart dreamt of becoming an attorney--hoping to solve one piece of the complex puzzle this country must conquer--and it has not changed since. The Costco Wholesale Scholarship is helping my dreams come to fruition, allowing me to continue my path to further education at Willamette University, relieving some of the financial burden my parents and I have faced. Thank you for entrusting me with this opportunity, as I am incredibly appreciative and grateful to be a recipient of this award.

Thank you so much for your generous support. I am very honored to be receiving the Costco Wholesale Scholarship. Being chosen as a recipient means a lot to me because I am the first in my family to attend college. Generous support like yours makes my dream possible. Growing up the idea of attending a university seemed like a huge financial obstacle. With the help of financial aid and scholarships like these, attending George Fox University is a reality. At George Fox University, I have been able to expand my knowledge in psychology and become well-rounded academically. Not only have I grown academically, but artistically. Photography is a passion of mine, and at George Fox, I have grown as a photographer and even received the honor of having one of my photos displayed in a photo gallery. If I was not able to attend university because of financial struggles I would never have received these life-changing opportunities. I am fortunate and thankful.

I want to convey my sincere appreciation for being granted the Costco Wholesale Scholarship. I can't express how much this support means to me or how crucial it is to me achieving my academic and professional objectives. Thank you for believing in me and providing this incredible opportunity.

I would like to be able to create my own business related to something I like, and in this way be able to help many people.

The Costco Wholesale Scholarship allows someone like me, a first-generation, working-class college student, to obtain higher education and reach my career goals. Without this scholarship, I would not have had the same opportunities. Thank you!

After graduation, I plan to take a gap year, earn experience in my career focus, and hopefully earn my master’s degree!

This scholarship helps me pay my tuition and takes some of the financial load off my parents’ shoulders. I am grateful for this opportunity and feel blessed. Also, the Costco Scholarship showed me that there are supporters out there who are willing to help college students afford higher education. Thank you, again, for this opportunity. God bless!

I chose Bushnell University because it’s a small Christian school and the community here feels like I am at home. I was also recruited to play on the baseball team! I chose business management as my major because I hope to one day run my Dad’s construction business. I’ve had great professors here and they have helped me in my journey to be successful in school.

After graduating, I plan to get into the construction industry and gain as much knowledge and wisdom from my dad and other peers. I really enjoy hard work and I believe that God gave me the wonderful gift of hardworking hands to purse the construction industry. More schooling might be required but I’ll leave that into Gods hands. I have so much passion and love for the trade that I think about it every day.

Thank you for helping a low income, independent, houseless student achieve the education necessary to help the people around them. It is because of the generosity of people and the support of others that I have been able to chase this dream.

This scholarship has been a lifesaver this semester and I could not be more thankful. This kind gesture will help to pay for many necessities including school supplies, textbooks, gas for commuting to and from home, school, and work, and more! Thank you for this amazing gift.

I chose Corban University for many reasons. It is close to home, which makes it easy to visit family often. I also fell in love with its Christian atmosphere and the people in it. Everyone shares the goal of serving God and making a positive difference in the world, and I want to be a part of that.

After graduation, I plan to attend medical school to continue my education in becoming a radiologist.

The Costco Wholesale Scholarship provides me with the opportunity to further my education, pursue music, and work alongside amazing professors and students. These possibilities for my future and important connections wouldn’t have been possible without the blessing of this scholarship.