Therese B. Bass

Therese B. BassHofstra University
Class of 2010
English and Education
Hometown: Bronx, NY

I am a second year student majoring in English and Education. I plan to graduate and go on to get a Master's in Special Education. Upon graduation, I plan to work in minority and lower- income neighborhoods, so that I can give back to the community. Even if my service affects only a small group of people, that would give me great satisfaction.

I grew up in the Bronx, and I did not come from an affluent family. The financial aid I receive, including a Pell Grant, SEOG, TAP, and a NOAH scholarship, has helped me tremendously. Without it, I never would have the financial means to attend college. I could not get bank loans because I did not have parents who would be approved to cosign the loans. I worked really hard in high school, and I was in Today's Students Tommorow's Teacher's, a program that helps people find scholarship money if they mentor and tutor younger students. My cousin is a Hofstra alumnus who graduated through the NOAH program. When I had my interview, it was competitive, but the NOAH administration recognized my potential to be academically successful. Then, they provided me with the support to make it a reality.

Funding from programs like SEOG and TAP gives me the opportunity to correct my financial situation. In the future, my children will be able to attend college too. For people lacking the financial means like me, these programs are their only opportunity to continue their education.