Stepping Closer to Her Career Goals and Dreams

Holly Santucci '25 believes that scholarships help create financial security and peace of mind while she works toward her college goals. Although Santucci works several jobs on top of her course load, she feels fortunate.

"It is an honor and a privilege to work as much as I do and still go to school and thrive," she said.

Her solid achievements in high school paid off. Santucci was awarded a Viterbo athletic scholarship for bowling, a sport she excelled at throughout her high school years at York Community High School in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Her academic high school standing qualified her for the Hallmark Scholarship, one of Viterbo's academic merit scholarships awarded for each of four years if recipients continue in good standing.

While working toward her social work degree at Viterbo, Santucci was awarded the Social Services Scholarship. That scholarship is designated for qualifying students in a social service major.

Then, as proof that a dedicated, hardworking student can continue to be rewarded even when they are far along on their college pathway, Santucci's admissions counselor nominated her for the Madigan Family Athletes Assistance Scholarship. She was awarded this scholarship that is specific to student athletes who have extraordinary costs due to a health issue. Santucci qualified due to serious health complications and ensuing medical bills that had strained her family's finances.

The scholarships, a Viterbo Need Grant, financial aid, and money from Santucci's several jobs-all help make this determined student feel her student loan debt is manageable. Combined with her hard work, the scholarships help bring her one step closer to her future career goals, and she is doing it at a university where she feels truly at home.

"I want to become an elementary school social worker or work in pediatrics," she said.

Santucci passed on several nearly full ride offers from other universities before choosing Viterbo, and she knows that she made the right choice. "Something just did not feel quite right with the others," she said. "When I stepped onto Viterbo's campus, I knew I was at home."

"People at Viterbo make me feel like I matter, and not just to them, but to everyone else," she said. "They are my people."