The author earned a full-ride scholarship to college. Courtesy of Kelly Strul

When my phone rang during my senior year of high school , it was Florida Atlantic University calling. I didn't know that answering would change the trajectory of my life.

I had 48 hours to decide whether to take a chance on an opportunity that seemed too good to be true: the opportunity to graduate debt-free .

After a last-minute decision to apply, I was admitted to Florida Atlantic University's Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program, which provides a fully funded, four-year scholarship package .

The moment I received the call, a weight was lifted from both my family and me. College was no longer something my parents and I had to approach with fear about how we would afford it. The people who had spent years sacrificing to give me opportunities could finally watch me step into one without wondering what it would cost our family.

For me, the scholarship meant possibility.…