Keylin Rivera is a student at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the President of the College Democrats chapter on her campus. This past Wednesday, she had the opportunity to introduce the First Lady at a grassroots event at UNCG, welcoming both her and the Mayor on behalf of her school. It’s hard to imagine that just a few years ago, Keylin didn’t think attending college even a possibility for her.

“When I was in high school I actually wasn’t planning on going to college…[I was raised in] a single-dad family…so college wasn’t in the picture…then I realized that you can actually get financial aid…I applied and I qualified, and I got the maximum amount of Pell Grants you can get. So, honestly, if I didn’t have any financial aid or help from the government, I wouldn’t be in school right now. Because without that my dad would not be able to pay for my education, and my little brother’s as well.”

Without Pell Grants, young people like Keylin would not have the same educational opportunities that they currently do.The First Lady shares Keylin’s passion for making education affordable and accessible. Later that afternoon, she echoed Keylin’s sentiments:

“And education was everything in our family. It was everything. It was our ticket to the middle class. It was our pathway to the American Dream. And when my brother and I finally made it to college, pretty much all of our tuition came from student loans and grants. Can I get an Amen?”

And "AMEN!" was the resounding answer from the crowd yesterday at UNCG.

President Obama doubled funding for Pell grants, helping nearly 10 million students afford college last year. He also signed a student loan agreement that prevented an interest rate hike for 7.4 million students. Thanks to grants and student loans, young people like Keylin all across the country will be able to get the kind of education they deserve.

Keylin is getting ready to head back to school in the fall, where she will be serving as a campus team leader for the campaign. Keylin is working hard to make sure President Obama is re-elected and can continue to support Pell Grants and all of the students they make further education possible for. She knows why she’s passionate about the upcoming election, and is getting involved to make a difference—get involved by joining Young Americans for Obama on Dashboard today.

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