The right fit: Picking your college should not be up to the state

In a few weeks, I will be one of thousands of students walking across a stage in Massachusetts to accept my college degree. When I reflect on the past four years — which have gone by so quickly! — I am confident that my education at Nichols College has prepared me for my career in the courts and probation. But beyond that, I am really grateful that my entire college experience was so full and enriching, starting from the moment of being able to choose the college that was the right fit for me.

While at college I have worked part-time in the admissions office, where I give tours to prospective families, answer phones and do other administrative tasks. This is where I learned that Massachusetts is making community college and four-year public colleges free for low- and middle-income students. I feel that students like me who choose to go to a private college or university are unfairly being shut out of state programs that will help you only if you attend a public community college or four-year university. Different colleges work for different kids for different reasons.

During my college search I turned to my mother, who is a guidance counselor at Westfield High School, for help. She was big on making me and my twin sister look at different schools. And we did. So when I stepped onto the Nichols campus I thought, “This is where I want to be.” It just felt right. I liked the smaller campus, that it felt more like a community. Everyone I met was really nice and it had the major that I wanted; I felt like it was just meant to be.

Each of the four years that I attended Nichols I received a grant under the state’s MASSGrant program for in-state students. This financial support made a big difference for my family and we are grateful that the funding was there. Could I have attended the college of my choice, prepared for the career of my choice and had the experience I’ve had without that help? I’m not sure, but I know my family and I are happy it was there. And I know that as I plan for my life after graduation, I will be staying in Massachusetts.

I’m not sure I would have gone to the school of my choice — the best college for me — if I had been told that the state would not financially support my choice to the same extent that they would a public college option. And I’m not sure I would have done as well as I have here. The opportunities and right fit just weren’t there for me at the larger state school. And Nichols stepped up in ways that could make the college within my reach. In fact, it was more affordable for me to attend Nichols than the public university. It was a significantly better situation. This really helped my parents juggle two kids going to college at the same time. I also applied for every scholarship and grant I could find. My family has worked hard to make college possible for my sister and me. And I worked hard to find the college I think will give me the best education for what I want to do, in the kind of community that I find most appealing and comfortable.

I am definitely not saying that Nichols or any other college needs to be free. But receiving additional state financial aid made a substantial difference in my life. This would really alleviate lots of stress that comes with having to pay for college. Multiply that by the thousands of hardworking Massachusetts high schoolers who, unlike me, are going to be told that they get the most help only if they go to the school the state chooses. Picking your college should not be up to the state.

Jacqueline “Jackie” Asselin, is a senior at Nichols College in Dudley. When not attending school, she lives with her family in Westfield.