More Than A Bank Balance by Chloe

More Than A Bank Balance by Chloe - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could give one piece of advice to my past self it would be this: You are not defined by the amount of money in your pockets.

I grew up with separated parents, both who struggled financially. By the age of five, I already understood what food stamps were. Throughout middle school, most of my clothes and supplies were hand-me-downs or stolen. In high school, I knew that every birthday and Christmas gift meant bills might go unpaid.

As a child, I was often torn. On on hand, I felt lucky. I had a roof over my head, food in the pantry, and water to drink. However, I also saw signs of struggles. There was missed rent, broken-down cars, and no power for a day. I started to believe a person's worth was tied to how much money they had. I wondered if people would treat me differently of they knew the truth about my family's debt.

This belief followed me into my young adulthood. Every now, I feel a wave of panic when there's a delay in a paycheck or a surprise bill in the mail. When I think back to that younger version of me, I want to tell her: You are not your family's bank account. You are not your financial stress. You are worthy just as you are.

And sometimes, I still need to remind myself of that today.