Higher Education Opportunities for DV Survivors

If you’re a victim of domestic violence, you know that moving ahead in life as a survivor can feel daunting and overwhelming. We want to encourage you that there is hope and help for you! 

We had the privilege of sitting down with a domestic violence survivor to ask about her experience with WISP (Women’s Independence Scholarship Program). Be encouraged by reading her story and let it spur you on to consider pursuing or continuing your own college education. 

How did you find out about WISP, and what circumstances led you to it?

I found out about WISP through a women’s program. I was a survivor of sex trafficking and I was interested in furthering my education. I found out through the women’s program that because of my previous DV situations, I would probably qualify for WISP and be a good candidate – so I was encouraged to apply.

Before hearing about WISP, how much hope did you have for being able to continue your education and provide financially for yourself and your son?

None. I was struggling, trying to figure out how I was going to pay for schooling costs for the semester and also pay for my son to be in childcare so that I could complete my classes.

How much hope did you have for those things AFTER finding out about WISP and the help they could offer you?

Much more hopeful! It was like a huge weight that was lifted off my shoulders. Not only were they helping with my tuition but also books and my son’s childcare.

In addition to the obvious financial assistance WISP provided for you, how did being a WISP recipient change the way you saw yourself and your future?

WISP challenged me (in the best possible way) because they had requirements I needed to meet. I had to be diligent, responsible, accountable, and keep up my GPA. It made me more reliable and more responsible, not only as a parent but as a person. It helped me be able to accomplish milestones. It gave me the flexibility to work. I was able to graduate from college with zero debt, which was huge not to have that burden coming out of college.

What type of resources did WISP provide for you in addition to tuition/books? (childcare, living expenses, etc.) Childcare for my son.  

What encouragement would you give to a domestic violence survivor that has little hope for her future? You are worth more than you think. Investing in yourself with the help of WISP will build your confidence in knowing your true self. You can achieve goals that you set. You can accomplish them with the help of the people that WISP puts around you, with the help of your WISP sponsor. I’m still good friends with my WISP sponsor, who helped me graduate 5 years ago.

Branches is proud to serve as a sponsor for women interested in pursuing their education goals through WISP.  https://wispinc.org/