Scholar Stories "I wasn't sure if I was the type of student that the sponsors were looking for as I was from a farming town far from the Twin Cities..."
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 Change the trajectory of your life! Are you a motivated MN resident who has faced - and overcome - challenges in your life? Catch A Break! is for you!
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About Us

Catch a Break!® is proud to support our scholarship program. We hope you use our support to make a difference

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Our Scholarship Program has been established to assist highly motivated Minnesota residents
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Scholar Stories

Stories from our scholarship winners.

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Catch a Break!® “We believe in the value of a college experience”

Check out some of our Scholar Stories:

Ella’s Scholar Story

Allison’s Scholar Story

Katelynn’s Scholar Story

Vu’s Scholar Story

Connor’s Scholar Story

Sam’s Scholar Story

Lisette’s Scholar Story

Yanai’s Scholar Story

Ava's Scholar Story

Nebeyu's Scholar Story

Callan's Scholar Story

Read More Scholar Stories

Graduating Debt-Free: It’s Possible!

The estimated cost of attendance for 4 years of education at the University of Minnesota Duluth is $98,160 including tuition, room and board, and books among other expenses.

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Ella’s Scholar Story

When first researching the Catch a Break! Scholarship Program, I was surprised to find there were mentorship meetings and group events which complemented the financial award. My surprise was understandable considering many of the college scholarships I had applied to were created to provide financial support alone. Having recently graduated from the University of Minnesota and the CAB!program, I see the many advantages of mentorship meetings and group events.

The mentorship program has allowed me to build long-lasting relationships with two individuals who I trust and respect. Having met with my mentors, Holly and Carl, at least two times a year over four years, we developed the ability to have very honest and open conversations. The topics of these conversations included academics, financial wellness, social wellbeing, and much more. During these conversations, Holly and Carl gave me impactful advice and reassurance. My freshman year was filled with studying for various chemistry classes and shadowing several healthcare professionals, but I was not certain that studying science was the best fit for me. Through talking with Holly and Carl, I realized healthcare was not the only possible path for me. This conversation and similar ones encouraged me to transfer to the Carlson School of Management. This was a spectacular change and it would not have been possible without the advice and support from my mentors.

The CAB! group events have been an exciting opportunity to talk with my mentors while connecting with other CAB! scholars and their mentors. Each event has a fun theme, delicious food, and plenty of time to talk. For example, the FOCI paperweight event allowed our group to mold paperweights from gathered hot glass. While a few individuals were molding glass, the rest of the group was able to reconnect and eat. Events like these were a fun break from my academic semester and allowed me to establish friendships with other individuals in the program.

Overall, the CAB! Scholarship Program has several important and impactful components. The scholarship financially supports scholars, while the mentorship program and group events provide social support. The mentorship program and group events brought a lot of value, support, and fun to my college experience.

Allison’s Scholar Story

The estimated cost of attendance for 4 years of education at the University of Minnesota Duluth is$98,160 including tuition, room and board, and books, among other expenses. Student debt in the US has passed the trillion dollar mark and is likely to keep rising as tuition costs continue to increase. Yet, here I am about to graduate on time with 2 majors in Biology and Hispanic Studies and a minor in Psychology with no debt at all!

The Catch a Break! scholarship was the largest factor in making this possible because it was available every year, unlike many smaller scholarships that are offered on a one-time basis. This is probably what kept me in college on those days when I wasn’t sure if I was a good fit for a 4-year university: I knew that finances were not a major worry. Meeting with the mentors and other students in the program regularly was also a huge motivating factor, as we were able to discuss challenges as we progressed through each year of college and encourage one another.

Now, I’m moving on to a graduate direct-entry nursing program with no debt! With the rising costs of college tuition, it is still possible to catch a break and avoid student debt through scholarship programs like this one. I will be forever grateful to the program for setting me up for future success and making this educational journey possible!

Katelynn’s Scholar Story

I was sitting in a school board meeting, nearing the end of my senior year, when I received a phone call that I didn’t know would change my whole life experience. Applying for the Catch a Break! scholarship felt just like every other application I filled out; I was searching for someone to invest in my education. However, what I received from the Catch a Break! Scholarship Program was much more than that.

Through Catch A Break!, I have been so incredibly fortunate to be provided with college funding, a support system, mentors in academics and life, networking connections, and most of all, friends. My experience has allowed me to confidently go through school knowing there are others backing my decisions and supporting my every endeavor.

A scholarship through Catch a Break! isn’t just about the finances; it’s about the connections. With two other scholars studying at my University, we have made friendships and support systems through this common connection. The professional mentors in this program have been nothing but helpful and encouraging. After our first group meeting, I was emailing one mentor in regards to her career path in Psychology. She cleared up a lot of my questions and concerns, and even encouraged me to take a few classes she suggested might be interesting to me. Luckily, through this connection and those classes, I found an incredible interest and am now even majoring in Psychology!

Looking back on my initial interview for Catch a Break, I had never been so nervous in my whole life. However, the welcoming atmosphere accompanied by smiles and genuineness allowed me to open up and show the mentors my true self. They accepted me for who I am, they encouraged my interests and drive to learn, and most of all, they were invested and interested in ME! Knowing there is a group of individuals behind me in my educational career is an unreal experience. Through Catch a Break!, I have become confident, excited to learn, and open to new experiences. I’ve created a desire to share such experiences and resources with other individuals, just as Catch a Break! has done for me!

Vu’s Scholar Story

I was fortunate to be one of the first Catch a Break! scholarship recipients. My sponsors, as well as being great advisors, mentors and friends, are the epitome of generosity, humility and kindness. Although it’s daunting when I first looked at the scholarship application, I realized that it was my stories that made me stand out from other applicants. Therefore, don’t be discouraged if you don’t have the best grades in the world because the scholarship committee wants to know you and your personal stories more than anything.

One of the most unique experiences I have gotten from this scholarship is that the sponsors genuinely care about me, my stories, and my journey to pursue a higher education. This is something I have never gotten from other scholarships and I am incredibly grateful and honored for the award as well as our wonderful relationship. Their dedication in helping me and my fellow scholars to make sure we can graduate college debt-free empower me to understand that I will make a difference in this world by just doing exactly what they have done: paying it forward to others.

Connor’s Scholar Story

Catch A Break! has been a tremendous help to me, and without it I may have not been able to further my education. That makes me very fortunate that I had some good counselors in high school, because I originally had made up my mind that I wasn’t going to apply. I was unsure that I was who they were looking for, and the thought of a personal interview was honestly quite scary. However, one of my counselors managed to convince me to apply after a conversation about what my future could look like.

So I went through the process, and just like dentist appointments and big presentations, there really wasn’t much of a reason for me to be afraid. The people who put the scholarship together are just people; the interview was like a conversation, not an exam.

I am excited about the future of this scholarship because the people who make it possible are committed to helping in as many ways as possible and creating a community of support that will continue to grow. I’m incredibly grateful to my counselor and to Catch A Break! for giving me a basis that I will be able to build on for life.

Sam’s Scholar Story

The Catch A Break! scholarship means more to me than just being able to afford college. The sponsors’ gift has given me the opportunity to completely devote my focus to college. This has given me the time and opportunity to achieve high grades, find research positions, and make meaningful connections with faculty members as well as peers.

The requirement of the scholarship that the scholar must live on campus has provided me the opportunity to truly focus on my studies and take advantage of the growth that campus life affords college students.

None of these things would have been possible if I had to work part-time and commute from my house to school every day. With the financial and mental support that the Catch a Break! sponsors have given me, I feel as though I have a great fighting chance at making my way through college successfully and starting my professional life. It is quite impressive that the scholarship sponsors are so invested in the selected scholars. I meet them for dinner each semester and I talk to them about progress, goals, and my experiences.

Lisette’s Scholar Story

I graduated in the Spring of 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish Studies with a minor in Chicanx Latinx Studies. I am currently entering the second year of my doctorate program in social psychology at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities!

I’ve had the opportunity to serve as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) curriculum consultant for the Office of Equity and Diversity which has allowed me to bring in my research and personal interests to improve DEI curriculum.

In my time as an undergraduate, I had the opportunity to be a part of multiple research experiences and projects that guided and influenced my pursuit of my Ph.D., as well as join my sorority, work for the Center for Writing, and serve as an MCAE Kickoff Leader.

As a first-generation scholar, I am extremely grateful to CAB! for providing me with the financial independence to be able to pursue research and extracurricular activities as an undergraduate student. CAB!’s support in every way allowed me to enrich my college experience, be well-prepared for graduate school, and get to know many great people that have had a wonderful influence on my life!

Yanai’s Scholar Story

I graduated in the Spring of 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, and in Spring of 2024, I”ll earn a Master of Science in Computer Science. I have a passion for using education, technology, and creativity to empower communities. During my time in CAB!, I have grown my range of technological knowledge through academic courses, research, internships, and teaching/tutoring jobs. For my research experience, I leveraged computer science approaches to analyze how COVID19 affects the child-care industry with observed data. I completed two summer internship experiences, specifically in Software Engineering at Drip and Technology Transformation services at 3M.

My experiences outside Computer Science range from taking PE classes at the UMN, volunteering at a middle school, and serving multicultural communities on my college campus.

Ava's Scholar Story

It was the spring semester of my senior year in high school, and I was completely without a plan as to how I would afford tuition for my steadily encroaching freshman year at UMN. One evening, while on one of my arduous financial aid searches, I happened upon the scholarship title, “Catch a Break!.” The phrase catered to my exact want…a break! Being completely exhausted from my seemingly endless days of juggling work, school, and extracurriculars, I was of course immediately motivated to apply.


Eventually, my interview date rolled around. Nervous as I was, it progressed without issue, and over the course of it I actually found myself growing ever more comfortable with the professionals sitting across from me. This burgeoning rapport would later serve as foreshadowing to the depth of real care and interest the folks at Catch a Break! have towards
their recipients (both during, and after their time in college). I am wholly unable to overstate how incredibly glad I am to have been accepted, as the entire course of my collegiate life has been altered for the better! Now a sophomore at UMN, I no longer share the financial worries of my high school self.


Through Catch a Break!, I can better focus my precious time on academics, in lieu of sacrificing it for more hours on a paycheck; though, this is far from the extent of this program’s influence. Where regular scholarships stop after providing solely monetary aid, Catch a Break! continues to supplement the recipient’s life with community. Since my acceptance into the program, I have been warmly welcomed into a vibrant network of prospecting, motivated students, and given access to suedes of valuable advice and support via mentorship of someone the program specifically appointed to me (Carolyn, if you are reading this, you are truly a joy, and I appreciate you!).


Each community event, I am overcome with an immense sense of belonging and pride to be a part of Catch a Break!. In addition to making college financially possible for me—which, alone, commands my utmost gratitude—I have received a pool of lasting connections and opportunities which are sure to accelerate my personal and professional growth throughout and after college!

Nebeyu's Scholar Story

The Catch A Break! community has been a huge part of my success throughout my journey in college, and their impact on my life extends beyond the financial support that allows me to focus on my Mechanical Engineering degree. What truly makes this program special is how it fosters us by allowing us to build actual, real relationships with fellow scholars and
mentors that reach much further than just academics. Having mentors who genuinely care about my personal development and life outside of school has been just as important for my success as navigating my engineering coursework. The belief they have in us creates a foundation of support that I will carry with me long after I graduate.


– Nebeyu, Mechanical Engineering Student (University of Minnesota – Twin Cities) Class of 2029

Callan's Scholar Story

Hi, my name is Callan, and I am a student at the University of Minnesota majoring in accounting and finance. I recently finished up my first experience as an intern this past summer working in the Nonprofit Assurance sector at CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. It was my first time ever doing hands-on accounting work, and before my first day, it’s fair to say I felt nervous. But after bugging the associates dozens of times with questions, asking Claude what side debits and credits were on, and eventually getting a pretty good idea of the industry by the end of the summer, I am beyond excited to say I received an offer to work there after graduation! I plan on obtaining my CPA license immediately post-grad, and start working right after. What a blessing this past year has been.


Since I started here at the University of Minnesota, I’ve tried to get as involved as I could. Aside from the amazing CAB! Community, I am a current member of the Students of Accounting and Finance Association, current member of GopherCatholic, and played on the Gopher Men’s Lacrosse team for two years. When I was on the lacrosse team, we had the opportunity to travel to many places including Florida, California, Boise, and play in nationals in Texas, while playing a sport I loved at a highly competitive level. GopherCatholic also has been so much fun meeting so many faithful college students and growing and learning through that as well. While I have had an amazing time being a part of so many different communities, it’s been a fun challenge (at times) to try and balance being active in them all and being able to balance rigorous coursework.


Outside of class and affiliations, I love golfing, working out, playing the guitar, spending time with close friends, and I just signed up for Grandma’s Marathon next summer in Duluth, MN. Above all, none of these incredible experiences would have been possible without the support of Catch A Break!. The financial support from CAB! has allowed me to focus entirely on my academics and career path without the constant worry of student loan debt hanging over my head. Having that peace of mind has given me the room to grow both personally and professionally. I am beyond thankful to Drs. Holly and Carl, the CAB! team, and my mentor for their incredible generosity, encouragement, and support every step of the way. Thank you,
CAB!, for making such a profound difference in my life!