Jasmun
Major in Exercise Science and Minor in Health & Wellness, Lindenwood University
Hometown: St. Louis, MO

I am among the 15,000 students who will be affected if the Access Missouri grant is taken away from Missouri students who attend Missouri's private colleges and universities. Since I was a little girl I wanted to attend a university to better myself as a person and to devote my life to helping others. With my degree I plan to become a physical therapist, to assist those who have suffered a minor or serious injury. Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for physical therapists will grow by 26% as Baby Boomers age and are more likely to have heart attacks and strokes. At the same time, the elderly population is increasing which requires more physical and cardiac rehabilitation care. Eliminating Access Missouri funds will take away my opportunity to help those in need of physical therapy assistance. If the Access Missouri grant is reduced or eliminated, I would be unable to pay the difference in the cost of my college tuition. I was not born into an upper class family. I was born into a single-parent household and there is no way my mother will be able to pay for my college education. I hope the state legislature decides to keep the Access Missouri grant in place as it exists so I am not among those 15,000 students attending independent colleges whose college education is at risk. Losing Access Missouri will mean my dream of becoming a Doctor in Physical Therapy will be shattered.