Student and Graduate Testimonials

"Pursuing an education has always been a high priority, yet so has maintaining control of my finances. It seemed for a time that I was going to have choose between the two options, as private school tuition rates are increasingly high. Thanks to WICHE's PSEP program, I've been able to pursue the education I value so highly while receiving some much appreciated financial assistance that keeps it affordable. I am grateful that the WICHE program is providing opportunities to educate and prepare future healthcare professionals like me for the State of Arizona."

"As the cost of health care rises, so does the cost of obtaining a professional, graduate education. I'm a second-year medical student studying to become a doctor of osteopathic medicine. At the end of my four years, I hope to be able to obtain a residency in emergency medicine. Without Arizona's participation in WICHE's PSEP, the cost of embarking on such endeavor would have been a burden too heavy to bear. Thank you, WICHE, for such a wonderful program. "

"I am forever indebted to WICHE's WRGP program for making it possible for me to earn my nursing PhD at the University of Utah. With its faculty expertise in oncology and palliative care, the University of Utah's College of Nursing was THE perfect fit for my clinical background and research interests. The money I saved through WRGP helped me off set expenses so I could live in India for nine months to collect data for my dissertation which involves cancer pain management in low and middle income countries. I urge policymakers to encourage our public institutions to continue making graduate programs available to residents through WRGP in the West at the resident tuition rate. It has made a crucial difference in my life, and I am committed to using my doctoral education to improve the health care of our world's most vulnerable people. Thank you for allowing me to participate in this outstanding program. "

"I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity that the WICHE PSEP program has provided me with throughout medical school. The reduced tuition has allowed me to focus on my education without having to worry about accumulating an overwhelming amount of debt. I can't say enough about how amazing the program has been for me. The process has been easy every year, and I would not have been able to afford medical school without it. Thank you!"

"WRGP made my graduate professional education possible. As a California native, there are not many CEPH-accredited public health programs in the state; my choices were limited and tuition rates are increasing by double digits because of the economic crisis. I wanted to attend a reputable CEPH-accredited program out of state and was resigned to the idea that I would be saddled with a truly burdensome debt. When I discovered the University of Arizona's School of Public Health and the fact that they participated in WRGP, I knew my career goals could become a reality. The reduced WRGP tuition has allowed me to attend a nationally ranked school of public health and has significantly eased the heavy financial burden that too many well-intentioned students must carry for years to come."

"I'm the oldest of four children from a middle class family. We have never been able to set aside substantial funds for my education, but my parents always supported my dream of becoming a veterinarian. As a first-generation college graduate, I realized I could become a veterinarian, given the proper financial support. WICHE's PSEP was the key. Arizona does not have a public university offering veterinary medicine, and any school I applied to would charge me out-of-state tuition. The loans would have been enormous and would have deterred me from following my professional dream. I am so grateful for the opportunity to study veterinary medicine. I believe the Arizona state legislature should continue to support students through WICHE's PSEP so other students can pursue professional careers in the healthcare field."

"I am a fourth-year dental student in Arizona and have been part of the WICHE's PSEP for four years. With its help I was able to attend dental school in my home state and at my top-choice program. PSEP has significantly reduced my dental school debt. Because of this I have been able to pursue my goal of working in rural communities and community health centers through external rotations. After graduation my goal is to work as a dental provider in Arizona and continue to serve my community. I am a first-generation graduate student in my family, and without the financial support of the WICHE program, I may not have been able to pursue my education. My family and I are extremely grateful for the WICHE program and the doors it has opened for me. I wholeheartedly support WICHE and encourage legislators to continue this program. It really makes a difference in the lives of students with dreams of becoming healthcare professionals."

"Being a WICHE recipient has made it possible for me to attend dental school. I don't know that I could feed my family if I had not received this support. Without this aid I would be spending more on tuition this year than I did on my house! I am excited to practice my profession in Arizona and give back to the community and state that has given so much to me."

"PSEP has been a great help to me and my family, as I forge through the difficulties of dental school. I would like to thank the Arizona Board of Regents for their support of postgraduates like myself. Knowing that I can obtain the schooling I need to support my family and make a difference in the lives of others while being helped financially by the State of Arizona has been a very comforting thing. The debt that I accrue to obtain my education will be astronomical. I cannot imagine how much of an added burden this would be had I not received this much needed supplementation. I have had the opportunity already to use the skills I have learned to benefit the lives of an underseved population in the remote jungles of Mexico. Getting this small taste of the joy my education can bring into my life and the lives of those I serve has been priceless. I thank WICHE for this blessing, and I hope that it will continue to bless other postgraduates in the future."

"I am currently in the Physician Assistant Program at A.T. Still University/Arizona School of Health Sciences. WICHE has helped with the tremendous cost associated with private schooling. I used my entire GI Bill funding for my undergrad education, and I'm very thankful that WICHE has allowed me to continue my professional education with greatly reduced debt. Thank you so much for such a wonderful program!"

"WICHE PSEP has been great. First of all, I got preferential admission simply by being a WICHE-certified student: I got into the best school on my list. When I got to school, some of my classmates' financial aid funds didn't come in as quickly as they anticipated, but WICHE paid my out-of-state tuition difference in a timely manner. This allowed me to fully focus on my first critical weeks as a new dental student, instead of worrying about paying for school. Lastly, my contract is super flexible, allowing me several options to pay back the scholarship in my home state, so it puts me at ease for my future career plans. Thanks, WICHE!"

"I've known for years that I wanted to go back to school to pursue my master's degree in OT in Arizona. However, I was hesitant to accrue the debt that goes along with attending a private university. WICHE's PSEP allowed me to study OT in my home state at a private school, while paying the same price I would pay to go to a public university. Having fewer loans means more freedom when I graduate, as well as less stress right now. I can focus more on my school work, and less on finances. Thank you, WICHE, for helping me achieve my academic goal!"

"I am a second-year student at Oregon State University, and I receive support through WICHE's PSEP. My home state of Arizona does not have a veterinary school, so this program makes it possible for me to receive a top-notch education at a reasonable cost. For me, that is extremely important, since I have a wife and young son to support. Through this program I will graduate with less debt and be in a better position to eventually reach my goal of owning my own practice."

"Although I have been granted funding (tuition waiver) for two of the three semesters I have had so far here at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, I know that if I am not granted funding I can still afford to stay here and pay tuition. I am the type of student who cannot afford out-of-state (or private), tuition and WUE has allowed me to study in a program that is nationally competitive at a reduced price! It's wonderful."

"WICHE's PSEP has given me great financial support while I accomplish my goal of becoming a physician. I am currenlty a physical medicine and rehabilitation resident in St. Louis. Next year I will complete a one-year fellowship in interventional spine medicine. Thank you, WICHE, for all the support. This is a very valuable program."

"I’m a student at the University of Colorado Denver’s School of Dental Medicine and have loved my education and my time spent in Colorado. WICHE’s PSEP has saved me over $80,000 in tuition! The savings is significant and will allow me to pay off my student loan debt much sooner. My family and I are so grateful for this generous gift towards my professional education, and we look forward to repaying the debt to our fellow residents of the great State of Arizona after I graduate. Thank you WICHE!"

"WICHE is incredible. I looked into several in-state institutions for a doctorate program in nursing, and someone recommended Utah. I was immediately impressed with their program and knew that was where I wanted to be. But I would not have been able to afford out-of-state tuition. WRGP has given me the opportunity to attend a wonderful, affordable program. I am so thankful!"

"I’m from Arizona where we don’t have a professional veterinary program. As a pre-vet biological science major, I wanted to enroll in a university that offered a DVM, so I’d have more opportunities during my undergrad studies. CSU fit the bill, but I wouldn’t be here without WUE. Now I’m attending the school I love at an affordable price, and it’s opened up so many opportunities with animals, science professors, and veterinarians in the area. Thank you to all of the supporters of the WUE program!"

"Ever since I was a little girl I’ve wanted to study veterinary medicine. As I grew older, my passion for it only grew, but so did my awareness of how much it was going to cost, especially because Arizona does not have a veterinary program. Without WUE, my family could never afford for me to study out-of-state. WUE has allowed me to start my education at the same institution where I plan to finish it. I can't possibly describe how thankful I am for the opportunity to study here. Thank you!!"

"My home state of Arizona does not have a veterinary school so WICHE’s Professional Student Exchange Program has made the difference between needing only $100K in financial aid (since I pay in-state tuition) as opposed to the $200K I would have needed to pay out-of-state tuition. It’s a huge relief to know I will be $100K less in debt when I graduate! I am very grateful for WICHE’s PSEP and the generosity of the State of Arizona."

"I am very grateful for WICHE’s Professional Student Exchange Program. Thanks to WICHE funding from the State of Arizona, I can attend Oregon Health & Science University and pay in-state tuition. This will help relieve a lot of the financial burden when I graduate. WICHE support is helping me realize my dream to help others through dentistry."

"After graduating with my PhD in cancer biology from the University of Arizona, I set out to continue my journey of life-long learning in veterinary medicine at Colorado State University. I am extremely appreciative of WICHE’s continued excellence, and applaud their success in making a difference in the lives of the students they support, both financially and personally. Thanks to Arizona’s assistance through WICHE, I am confident I will one day contribute to scientific discoveries in veterinary and comparative animal medicine."

"It’s easy to become overwhelmed by academic responsibilities and the staggering debt that is accrued in four years while preparing for a career in medicine. WICHE has been a life-saver, making private tuition as affordable as a public program. The support has allowed me to focus more on succeeding in my profession instead of dwelling on financial hardship. The assistance has allowed me to become the best physician I can be, which will ultimately benefit my future patients--the residents of Arizona. Thank you, WICHE!"