General Scholarships
At SLCC, 78% of students work while attending classes, making support from scholarships key to their success. Students who receive scholarships are twice as likely to graduate than those without financial assistance. A post-high school education helps each graduate lower their risk of unemployment and improves their income level and economic mobility.
By investing in SLCC students through scholarship support, you are making a difference in their lives and futures as well as improving our community’s workforce.
A Journey of Resilience and Purpose
Fatumo Hussein’s journey to finding her purpose has been shaped by resilience, caring for others, and a commitment to education. She is a first-generation college student, a dedicated mother of three daughters, a patient care technician, and a scholarship recipient.
Born in Somalia, Fatumo’s early years were marked by
the harsh realities of war. “After my dad died in the war of 1992 in Somalia,
my family became refugees,” said Fatumo. “We lived in Kenya for 24 years as
refugees and finished both my high school and some college education until
coming to the United States.” 
In 2015, Fatumo became a Utah resident, setting the stage for a new chapter in her life. Her focus, however, was firmly on the family. As a single mother, Fatumo took on the responsibility of caring for her ailing mother, who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, and her oldest daughter, who underwent many spinal cord surgeries because of scoliosis.
Caring of her family became Fatumo’s top priority. “The illness and death of my beloved mother, whom I was her care giver until she died inside my own room, left me an empty nest,” said Fatumo. “She was my guide where I found wisdom, but these experiences led to a passion for healthcare and to continue the legacy of my mother who was a traditional birth attendant (midwife) back home. These experiences have directed me to redefine my career goals and change my degree from Biotechnology to Nursing.”
As a first-generation college student and foreign high school graduate, Fatumo’s journey in education has been a series of transformations. “I was initially interested in social work because I enjoy helping people,” said Fatumo. “But then I got a CNA certification and that’s when I realized that a degree in nursing would allow me to help people heal and make a difference in not only my patient’s lives, but in my life as well.”
Fatumo has her sights set on graduating in 2025 with a degree in nursing from SLCC. After completion, she plans on transferring to the University of Utah to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Scholarships have provided Fatumo with the financial and mental support to focus on her studies. “I can stand on my own feet because of scholarship support. I wouldn’t be able to graduate without it,” said Fatumo. “I am grateful to those who donate to scholarships as they help make education possible for so many students like me through education, anything is possible and living without challenges is abnormal.”