A breast cancer survivor, single mom and involved grandmother, Dolores Brooks admits her personal ambitions and desire for a formal education took a backseat to life's unexpected challenges.

At 60, Dolores now boasts a clean bill of health along with plans to graduate with her Bachelor in Science in General Studies in December 2009 with her long-awaited degree as a result of her supportive family. At the moment, she balances her job as a management consultant by taking online classes — many with a concentration in communication studies and human resources.

"My hope is that my degree would afford me better career options as well as (the opportunity to) eventually give back as a teacher. I will establish myself as a mentor, innovator and teacher to our young adult population," says Dolores of her goals.

Like other students, Dolores' higher education dreams come with expenses. City University's General Scholarship program assists in paying for her remaining 13 credits.

This extra help allowed Dolores to straighten out her personal finances and pay bills on time.

Now invigorated from her educational and personal milestones, Dolores aspires to earn a master's degree and someday enter a doctorate program. Her ongoing accomplishments also inspired her daughter to return to school and motivated her granddaughter to apply to multiple colleges. The proud grandmother, who lives in Prince Frederick, Md., says the teenager recently received six acceptance letters to prestigious schools.

Says Dolores, "We cannot grow without education. It's just a fundamental need of mankind. It's almost like that link that never stops growing."

A Special Olympics volunteer and mentor to special needs children, Joe Costa wanted a bachelor’s degree that would allow him to professionally work with developmentally-delayed students. Today, he's focused on CityU's Dual Endorsement Program to earn a K-8 & Special Education teaching credential.

 Joe's also thrilled about his upcoming student teaching internship – an opportunity for Albright School of Education majors to work with children in the classroom. Money he received from CityU's General Scholarship Fund will help support him while he works full-time in a local school.

 "It feels good that I was actually able to take some of that stress out (of my life) and be able to pay for school," says the Everett, Wash. resident.

 As a teacher, Joe brings his life experience coaching those with learning disabilities, such as autism, muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy.

 "To be quite honest I just want to make a difference in the lives of the students I work with and touch their hearts in a profound and significant way. They will be the world's lantern in the dark," he says.

An avid swimmer, Diana Short spent her freshman and sophomore years of college in the pool and training under the guidance of her father. Although the San Diego resident didn't finish college, life brought Diana another milestone — a new baby. The new family addition motivated Diana and her husband to set plans in motion for a prosperous future. Soon, both were enrolled in rigorous college programs.

"I have yet to take a break, even through pregnancy, childbirth and the joys and hardships of being a new mom," says Diana, whose daughter Amara is now two years old.

Today, Diana looks forward to finishing her last six quarters at City University of Seattle with financial assistance earned through the General Scholarship Program. She enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Accounting program because of her "affinity for numbers" and dream of owning a vegetarian restaurant or organic café.

The university's flexible online class model allows Diana time to post schoolwork on the Blackboard online system and dedicate other time to her husband and daughter.

"For me to have the whole week to do everything on my own time, it's ideal. I honestly don't think I would be able to make it happen without online (programs). I just do my best. I really try to balance getting up early to do some homework and make sure I have evenings with the family," she says.

Above all, Diana says she's thankful for the opportunity to pay her college tuition using grants and scholarships instead of federal loans that need to be repaid upon graduation.

"I think almost any student dreams of acquiring as little debt as possible upon graduation, as do I," she says.

Kevin Christensen didn't escape the nationwide lay-offs. He lost his position as a biochemist which had helped to provide for his three young children.

The single father used the temporary setback as an opportunity to reinvent himself. Giving into a longtime desire to teach, he joined CityU's Master in Teaching program. 

"Everything seemed to fall into place… The two components I did not count on were the drastic increases in the cost of living expenses brought about by a failing economy and the withdrawal of voluntary financial support from my children's mother," he says.

Without CityU's financial aid program, however, Kevin might not have had the same opportunity. As a single father, raising his 9-year-old son and two adopted daughters from China, ages 11 and 7 were his first priority. The eldest was born with Spina Bifida.

When money became tight, he applied for CityU's General Scholarship to afford tuition and save his income while he completed his student teaching internship. He remembers receiving the good news that he had won a scholarship and could finish the program:

"It's just a godsend, I don't know how to describe it," says Kevin.

Kevin graduated in June 2009 with a 3.8 grade point average. He wants to teach kindergarten, first or second graders and someday hopes to give back to other CityU students that need a little help to meet their educational goals.

"When I start working I will be in the position to help others like me," he says.