My brothers and I are quadruplets and we come from a low-income immigrant family background. We migrated over to the State of California with our parents in search of a better life and a western education. We are first generation college graduates and our education would not have been in any way possible if it hadn’t been for the Cal Grant A, B and C awards! The Cal Grant A covered almost all of my tuition at the University of California, Davis (UCD), and my brothers received the Cal Grant C at American River College which then converted over into a Cal Grant B when they transferred over to Sacramento State University. My brothers and I are very fortunate to have been able obtain a 4-year degree at very minimal out-of-pocket cost. I’m very thankful to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) for helping us finance our degrees! I’m using mine to pursue a career in public service to better serve our great State! I currently work on affordable housing policy in the California State Treasurer’s Office (STO) but I am also very passionate about higher education policy and financial aid reform. I am looking forward to working with our Governor-elect Gavin Newsom and CSAC to expand financial aid funding in order to provide greater access and equity to all students!
 

– Sertan Usanmaz