Caroline and Melanie: Different Sprints, Similar Destinations

Throughout a student’s college career, the cost of education rises an average of 3.5% annually, and it is rare that a student’s financial aid from state, federal, or school sources will keep up. New sources of scholarship grant funding are most frequently limited to the start of a degree program – but an infusion at the end is just as critical. Sprint to the Finish grants support students in their last year or two of college and help ensure they graduate on time and with manageable or no debt.

Caroline Edgar was awarded an interest-free loan by The Scholarship Foundation in 2022 when she began pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Missouri State University – Springfield. Now a senior planning to graduate in May, she was awarded a Sprint to the Finish scholarship grant to replace her final loan award – a particularly helpful surprise, as she has a younger sister who is also in college and her family is simultaneously paying off medical debt.

Caroline decided to major in computer science aer taking an introductory course during her sophomore year and later added a minor in math. After college, she hopes to start working in software development or database management, and she is considering continuing into graduate school if she can secure funding.

Along with finding a new academic passion, Caroline has taken advantage of opportunities to stretch herself beyond her comfort zone in college, surprising herself along the way. For example, she writes, “When I signed up for my public speaking class, I expected for it to be a miserable time of awkward speeches and anxiety ruining every attempt I make at improving at the topic I am so afraid of. is class actually, however, went the opposite direction of what I was expecting. By the first speech, I managed to work up the confidence to smoothly and personably deliver a speech I outlined and workshopped with a teacher who, when I spoke with him, actually made me feel like what I had to say mattered. As the semester progressed, I started to gain more and more confidence in my writing, and by the time the end of the semester finally came around, my teacher asked me to be in the end of the year showcase for public speaking.”

The technical skill and expertise Caroline is gaining in college will serve her throughout her life, and the Sprint to the Finish grant will allow her to make faster progress toward her future financial and educational goals. The experience of facing a fear and being validated for the growth she achieved might be just as influential.

When a tornado ripped through north St. Louis on May 16, 2025, The Scholarship Foundation had 94 students whose families lived in its path. Among the hardest hit areas was the Ville, home of a number of institutions that historically anchored the Black community. Not far from Sumner High School sat Claver House, a residential interfaith community where Melanie Rivera Nuñez lived. Like so many other St. Louisans in the hours following the storm, Melanie found herself wandering streets strewn with floodwater, downed trees, and the remnants of family homes.

A Morton and Marilyn Werner Egality Fund Scholar, Melanie has been both student and teacher in her role at the Foundation. She has served as policy fellow advocating with schools and with state and federal policymakers. Melanie has also worked with the board of directors to advocate and to set organizational strategy.

Melanie attends St. Louis University, where she received the Leadership and Service Award for her work in support of migrant and immigrant communities. She will complete her bachelor’s in health management, a field she says fits her belief that “ensuring the safety and health of a population drives our ability to reach the most vulnerable with initiatives and programs that emphasize the highest degree of competence, compassion, and quality care”.

On the path to her degree, Melanie encountered many obstacles. When the tornado hit and she was suddenly without safe and affordable housing, Foundation advisors supported her in applying for temporary relief funds available through FEMA and Foundation community partner, LifeWise St. Louis.

Thanks to the Foundation’s advising support, scholarships, interest-free loans, stipends for her policy work, and emergency funds for moving expenses, Melanie has made it to her senior year! Now, a Sprint to the Finish grant from an anonymous donor will support her in completing her last year of college without worrying about how she will pay rent, cover utility costs, or buy food. Each dollar is an expression of belief in her potential to provide similar compassionate and quality care to others one day.