“You gave me a chance for success, which I promise to use and not waste.” UCU students talk about the important of scholarship support.

On 14 September, during the swearing-in of UCU first-years, the students received scholarships from benefactors. We asked the scholars why they chose UCU, how the support of benefactors motivates them, and what they would like to say to their sponsors.

We were truly impressed by the students’ responses. We share their thoughts about motivation, the importance of support, and their impressions of UCU.

Maryana Lanyk, Sociology student

I chose UCU because the values and views which the university promotes are dear to me. I also know that this is a very good basis for the development of my future career.

I need a scholarship because my parents don’t have enough to pay for education at my dream university, and I was exceptionally happy when I was informed that I received a scholarship. Because I understood that, if the people who provide the scholarship believe in me, that means that I’m definitely on the right track. Right after this I promised myself that, when I am able to support myself financially, I’ll dedicate some funds to charity, above all to fulfill the dream of some student and pay for his or her education, like someone once did for me.

Scholarship support motivates me to be as beneficial to the university as I possibly can.

If you had an opportunity to meet your benefactor, what would you say?

I would like to thank you for fulfilling the dreams of the younger generation, contributing funds which will benefit our nation, because today there is truly a need for highly-qualified specialists. But I am most grateful that you believed in me and gave me a chance to study at the educational institution of my dreams.

Kvitoslava Khorob, Psychology student

I chose the Ukrainian Catholic University, first of all, because at UCU the relation of theory and practice is the best. Secondly, the community. For me it was very important to be surrounded by people with similar views and values.

My parents are divorced, and, in addition to me, there are two more younger children in the family. My mother can provide a good level of life for us, but she can’t pay UCU’s tuition. So, I was overjoyed when I found out that I had received a scholarship at UCU. Sincerely. I understand that I would be able to fulfill my dream, to work as a psychotherapist, having gained a high-quality, appropriate education.

Having received a scholarship, I also understood that the fire in my eyes, my desire to study psychology, has been examined and valued. This led me to the thought that I was not mistaken in my choice of specialization, and I’m ready now to reach for the stars.

I would very much like to meet personally with my benefactor, first to thank him or her. And then, over a cup of coffee, I would talk about myself and I would like to learn about him or her.

 

Mykola Franko, student of IT and Business Analytics

UCU is an opportunity for development, and not only academic. UCU has a strong community, so I really wanted to become a part of it, to take part in its energy, enthusiasm, and to offer my ideas and energy.

My family cannot now pay for my study at UCU, because finances are limited. I was very surprised when I learned that I received a scholarship, because I truly didn’t expect it. The moment when I found out that I had a 100% scholarship for tuition at the university of my dreams, I almost jumped around the room in joy! My scholarship motivates me to study more and better, to believe in myself and be persistent.

If you had an opportunity to meet your benefactor, what would you say?

A very warm “Thank you!” Because of people like my benefactor, hundreds of students have the opportunity to receive a quality education and realize themselves, regardless of external limitations regarding money. I am grateful without measure to my benefactor and other people who donate money for the future of Ukraine.

Anhelina Ushko, Student of the Artes Liberales Program (Culture Studies)

I chose UCU because I know that it’s the best university in Ukraine. I liked the open house here and then understood that my soul belongs to this community.

My parents are divorced and unable to pay for my education. So the scholarship I received motivates me to take active part in student life and also to study hard, so that someday I can pay back to the world what has been given to me.

If you had an opportunity to meet your benefactor, what would you say?

I would be very happy to get acquainted and learn more about his or her life and values, to be inspired and to express my gratitude.

Nadia Shymkiv, Law student

In my view, UCU is the only university in Ukraine founded on values that sincerely impress me. Study here is a “flight” to freedom and creative ideas. Nota bene! UCU has everything needed to realize these ideas.

When I found out that I had received a scholarship, I jumped for joy! Because the possibility to study at UCU is a dream which has come true thanks to benefactors.

I have always liked to be independent, to take responsibility for my life, to look for opportunities and ways to realize them. It would not have been easy for my family to pay 100% of tuition costs, so I would never allow the welfare of my younger brother and sister to be sacrificed for my ambitions! But I also would not toss up my hands and willingly refuse my dream. I “knocked on the door of possibilities” and it opened for me!

A scholarship is not a lottery. It’s a happy ticket to the future which I desire! I now have even more motivation to work, to set specific goals, and an obligation to achieve them.

If you had an opportunity to meet your benefactor, what would you say?

Honestly, I would want to sincerely look this person in the eyes and simply say: “Thank you!” Thank you for believing in my potential. You gave me a chance at success which I promise to use and I not to waste…

Sofiya Tremba, Student of the Artes Liberales Program (Philology)

I chose UCU because this is a community in which the person and his or her spirituality are the highest values. I also have always wanted to study among the best, and those students are only at UCU.

I need a scholarship because my family would never be able to pay for study at the university because of unstable income and low salaries. So, when I found out that I received a scholarship, I was touched and happy. I couldn’t believe this miracle. Honestly, I still have this thought.

The scholarship motivates me to help others, to be grateful to the people around me, and, of course, to study harder.

If you had an opportunity to meet your benefactor, what would you say?

I would want to say “Thank you” for believing in me, for giving the chance for a better life, for allowing my dreams to be fulfilled, and performing the greatest miracle in my life.

Danylo Hotskivskyi, Computer Sciences student

I chose UCU because, in my opinion, this is a university that offers an incredibly great amount of possibilities for its students.

I needed a scholarship because it would have been difficult for my family to pay for studies at UCU. And it was a pleasant “shock” when I found out that I received a scholarship. Right after this, I felt internal calm, because I was going to study at the university of my dreams. Scholarship support motivates me to study and to work to improve my academic level.

If you had an opportunity to meet your benefactor, what would you say?

I would ask what event in his or her life was the decisive factor that lead to his or her philanthropy.

Anastasiya Neznanova, Social Work student

I chose UCU because there are many opportunities here to develop. Also, there’s a wide field here for acquaintanceships, interacting with people, and also wonderful professors.

I am an orphan. I live in a family-style orphanage, and so I have no funds to study where I would like. A scholarship is truly a wonderful opportunity to study for those who cannot afford it. The scholarship motivates me above all to develop, to improve my skills and self-discipline.

If you had an opportunity to meet your benefactor, what would you say?

I would sincerely thank him or her, because the scholarship donation is a great help and gift for me. I am sure that my benefactor is a wonderful person.

Anastasiya Vasylevska, student of the Ethics-Politics-Economics Program

I chose UCU because this university is building a base of values and providing well-grounded moral-ethical guidelines for its students. It works for a balance between their interior feelings and the development of their careers.

I need a scholarship because my family’s finances cannot support my education at this institution of higher education. So I was incredibly happy when I found out that I received a scholarship, because I understood that my dream of studying at the Ukrainian Catholic University would become a reality.

Scholarship support motivates me to even more movement forward, self-development and maximally successful studies, because now I am quite certain that fate has given me a chance, which I am obliged to take full advantage of.

If you had an opportunity to meet your benefactor, what would you say?

I would thank my benefactor for such strong faith in me and my abilities. Truly, it’s been hard for me to get used to the thought that my unfulfilled dream has become a happy reality. The great responsibility to my benefactor reveals to me new potential, courage, and possibilities which I am obliged to realize. Because people believed in me, and so I can’t disappoint them.

Read also: Donors provide 360 named scholarships to UCU students

Additional information

UCU is a private, not-for-profit educational institution which offers a quality education and strives to attract talented students to the university. In order that the cost of tuition not be an obstacle for the most talented students to study here, a charitable fund was created. It is supported by charitable donations which come from private benefactors in Ukraine, the USA, Canada, and Europe. The model for financial support of talented students has a number of versions:

Аcademic-social scholarships – This covers 100% of the cost of tuition for the first and second years of study for bachelor’s students entering in 2021.

Social scholarships – This covers from 30% to 100% of the cost of study for a year.

Applicants can also apply to receive a scholarship from a faculty, which will cover from 30% to 100% of the cost of study for a year.