Nikki Johnson lives in Silverthorne where she takes classes at Colorado Mountain College Breckenridge and Dillon. She enrolled in the spring of 2022, earning a 4.0 grade point average that semester. Nikki is working towards a bachelor's degree in sustainability studies.
Now 37, Nikki said she left a 10-year career as a hair stylist to return to college. Her previous college experience? "It was not that great,” she said.
What compelled Nikki to want to give college another try? "There was a lot of help at CMC," she said. "My advisor steered me toward Finish What You Started."
Part of the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative at Colorado Mountain College, the Finish What You Started program can provide students with up to $4,000 based on a student's field of study and financial need. If students remain in good standing, their grants can be renewed.
"It was one of the better options for me and where I'm at in my education," Nikki said.
She had received other grants but said the Finish What You Started grant was an "extra perfect fit."
Now in her third semester, Nikki said she likes the smaller class sizes at CMC.
"It's been great so far," she added. "CMC has been really helpful with the financial aspects of my education."
Nikki said the grant helped with expenses like books, supplies and tuition.
"It's nice to know there are these kinds of [financial] programs available for people who don't go to college right out of high school," she added.
