WHAT WE DO

our focus is simple – we create educational opportunities for family members of those who have sacrificed.

About FFS

The Family First Scholarship was established by Christopher West and his family. Although Mr. West never joined the armed forces, he believes in supporting the women and men who have served to protect the freedoms that we enjoy. The loss of life or severe impact of service-related disability suffered by our military veterans can be a devastating event for our military services families. In support of these families, the Family First Scholarship has been created to enable Chapter 35 (VA’s Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance program) benefits-eligible family members to continue on their academic pathways at Arizona State University.

The Family First Scholarship is for undergraduate students at ASU who are Chapter 35 benefits-eligible dependents of military veterans.

2024 recipients

success stories

Adia Eckberg

My name is Adia Eckberg, but I go by AJ a lot. I’m a filmmaking practices major so I get to do all kinds of stuff behind the camera and offscreen for movies or tv production! After my first year, I only have a few short films I made in classes with friends but I plan to make many more. Which is where I am most excited for my Sophomore year, and my following years at ASU. Just thinking of the stories I’ll be able to bring to life whether they’re my own or my peers gets me giddy with excitement. Being behind the camera and watching the process of an idea become reality feels like home and I can’t wait for the day when my dream becomes my livelihood.

I don’t have an exact plan of where I’ll go after I graduate but it’s not a huge rush at the moment since I’m not even halfway through college yet. But it is also never too early to start planning! This scholarship helps me in more ways than I can express. I get a guaranteed way into another year at a school I love with colleagues that help me become better and stronger in my studies and work. I get to use another year to the fullest and fulfill my dreams of being a filmmaker. College in itself feels like a dream and being able to continue it without the worry of debt or struggling is more than I can ever wish for. which is why I would love to thank this committee from the bottom of my heart for helping me through another year! Thank you so much for this opportunity!

Jordan Post

Hi, my name is Jordan Post and this will be my fourth year at Arizona State University studying Computer Science with a focus in Cyber Security. After graduation, I plan on working for either the military or a good company where I can focus more on cyber security and cyber threats. I really hope to be able to participate in an internship with the military and learn more about the types of threats that they deal with. I am most passionate about cyber security and really want to further my education in cyber forensics as well. One of the reasons that I actually chose Arizona State was because of the Engineering program and the opportunities that are provided for the students.

I am so thankful for being selected by the committee to receive this scholarship because now I am able to focus on my last few semesters at Arizona State without having to worry about whether or not I will be able to pay for tuition. I am hoping that by the time I graduate, with the help of this scholarship, that I will not have any loans to pay off. I feel very fortunate to be in the position that I am in now. This scholarship will also allow me to save money that I can put towards a car, my potential move to Colorado after graduation, and I will be saving my family money that they can now put towards my two younger brothers.

Receiving this scholarship has been a huge blessing and I hope to make The Family First Committee proud with my future here at Arizona State University and onward.

Anthony Molina

First and foremost, I want to say thank you very much for choosing me as a recipient of the Family First Scholarship. This scholarship means a lot to me as it will help me focus more on my grades and eases the financial stress associated with school. I am attending Arizona State University to obtain my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology because I recently moved to Arizona in April of 2021 from the central coast of California. After I graduate, I want to work as an elementary school counselor. Working with children is something I have always loved doing and is what drives me to pursue this degree. I love the major I am studying because I am very intrigued with how the human mind works and makes people behave.

I have a few family members that struggle with their mental health and I know learning about this subject really helps me understand those in my family who are struggling or going through a tough time mentally. I have received an Associates in Arts-Transfer for Psychology as well as an Associates in Arts for Liberal Arts-Transfer- Social and Behavioral Sciences. I also earned a 3.92 GPA during the Spring Semester of 2022, which earned me a spot on the Dean’s List. This is a really big accomplishment for me and is something I will strive to achieve again for the following semesters to come. Once again, I want to say thank you very much for choosing me as a recipient of this scholarship and I am very excited to continue this journey of furthering my education.

Natel Whitaker

Thank you for selecting me for the 2022-2023 Family First Scholarship. I appreciate that you renewed my scholarship as the funds will go to my continued studies for my Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering. I plan on pursuing my passion for software and continue my studies at ASU after graduation. I am grateful for this scholarship because I have limited funds from the VA Chapter 35 benefit and every bit counts towards my success. The renewal of this award will help me get through the financial struggles of paying for college, as both my parents, who I live with, are disabled veterans who live on a fixed income.

Ashlan Bergh

I would first like to thank the Family First Committee for choosing me as a recipient for the upcoming school year. I am Ashlan Bergh, and I am an honors student. My majors are Psychology and Sociology and I’m working on a Social Science Research Methods Certificate. I decided to continue my education in 2019 because I was working in the medical field, and I did not feel it was the best fit for me. I wanted to pursue a degree in psychology because I originally wanted to become a therapist. After being a research assistant, I found I love conducting social psychology research. I plan to continue my social psychology research and education in a PhD program.

This scholarship will provide me the freedom to continue my education without the financial worry. My husband is a disabled veteran, and we are on a fixed income. I saved most of my income from my medical career before returning to school but have unfortunately used it to pay for tuition. I currently receive chapter 35 benefits, but inflation has made things financially difficult for us. This scholarship allows me to attend school without having to work full time. Freed from the financial stressors, I can continue putting all of my effort toward my classes and research without compromising my educational goals. Completing my undergrad career will be much easier with this scholarship. Thank you Family First Committee again for giving me this award and enabling me to pursue my dreams.

Ariana Ayers

My name is Ariana and I just want to start by saying thank you so much for choosing me as a recipient for the Family First Scholarship. I am a full time single mom, student, and part time employee.The news that I would receive this scholarship for the upcoming academic year felt like a weight being taken off my shoulders so that I can continue to focus on my schooling, and I just can’t thank you enough.

I am currently working on a degree in Anthropology, after graduating with this degree I would like to continue my education with either a graduate degree in anthropology, or potentially work on obtaining another degree in botany/biology. I have always loved the sciences, but since my husbands passing a fire has been lit within me on how I can help veterans in the future while studying a subject I have come to love. My ultimate dream/goal after my degree would be to do research with indigenous peoples across the globe and learn about their medicinal practices and how they might be used to help people like my late husband who suffered from PTSD and depression in the future.

I also want to thank you for the book you gifted, The Immortality Key, it is absolutely fascinating so far and I’m really interested to learn more about some of the research that they’ve been discussing.

Makenzie Gibbs

I would like to begin my letter to each of you by saying thank you. Thank you for taking the time to read as well as listen to my take on the life of having a parent in the military. It was not an easy lifestyle to adjust to. Between the constant moving, switching schools mid-semesters, and learning how to make new friends. Without the experience and cultural knowledge I have gained from such a lifestyle, I wouldn’t have ventured out to attend Arizona State University thousands of miles away from home. For that, I am eternally grateful. I chose Arizona State University because I was able to imagine myself studying here. It felt welcoming and opened the door to numerous opportunities.

I am about to begin my junior year as a criminology and criminal justice major and have different ideas on how I plan to use my bachelor’s degree. Ultimately, this degree paves the way for doing what I want to do the most. Which is defending my community and being the voice for the people. With the Family First Scholarship, I can focus more on my studies as well as participate in more extracurricular activities. My focus will be more on having a fulfilling college experience rather than having my attention on my tuition. This can allow me to maintain my GPA and as well as to continue to be on the Dean’s list for the 2023-2024 academic year. Thank you all for setting me on a successful path for my junior year at Arizona.

Alexandra DeCosta

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for being selected for the Family First Scholarship. I am Alexandra DeCosta and I am truly honored to have been chosen for this award. I want to express my sincere appreciation to the families of Chris West and Mike Lofton. Your commitment to support students like me is inspiring. I am incredibly grateful to be associated with this scholarship and the esteemed meaning it represents.

The financial assistance you’ve provided has lightened my financial burden and will be a great help to me in paying my educational expenses, as I continue my studies at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. After graduation, I intend to pursue a master’s degree in Sports Journalism.

I am beyond excited for this career path, thank you for supporting my passion. Sports bring people together and I strive to be a part of that. Receiving this scholarship brings me one step closer to pursuing my dream career as a sideline reporter in the NBA. I look forward to the day I can pay it forward, and make a meaningful impact on others, the way you have done for me.

Growing up as a military brat has provided me with the experience, resilience, and deep comprehension of sacrifice that has shaped the person I am today. I am humbly thankful for this selection and will continue having the highest level of dedication in pursuit of this goal. Thank you for believing in me and my future!

Chasidy Glass

Firstly, I just want to say thank you and show my appreciation to the Family First Committee for giving me the opportunity to continue my education without the angst that comes with finances. I am grateful for being selected for this scholarship because I will be able to focus on my studies more than worrying about how I will pay for college and more student loans. I am also grateful for this scholarship because this gives me more financial freedom. I now have more free time to give back to my community. Giving back to my community is something that I’ve always wanted to make more time for.

My major is community health; however, I plan to apply to the nursing program soon. After graduation I plan to become a travel nurse so that I can help as many communities as possible. As a registered nurse I would be able to advocate for patients that often get overlooked and mistreated.

I am very proud of my academic success from the Spring 2023 semester. This was the first semester since I’ve attended ASU that I was able to make all A’s, putting me on the Dean’s list. I am also proud of scoring 91.3% on the nursing entrance exam. This exam score along with my GPA determine if I will be admitted into the nursing program. Of course, I am proud of myself for being selected for the Family First Scholarship. With more hard work, I know that I can have another successful academic year just like this one, or even better.

Mykayla Hunter

Hello, I am Mykayla Hunter, and I will be transferring to ASU this upcoming 2023 fall semester. I am incredibly grateful to receive the Family First Scholarship. I first want to thank Chris West, Mike Lofton and their families for their generous support of me and my education!

I am attending ASU as an Animation major. My goal as an Animation major is to eventually work at an esteemed animation studio or company. There are many positions within the animation industry that I am interested in such as character design, visual development, and storyboarding. To achieve this, I will study animation and art at ASU and practice during my free time as well. Once my portfolio is strong enough, I will apply for animation internships. I believe hard work, dedication, and skills gained at ASU will help me land an internship. This will allow me to gain valuable experience to pursue a career in animation.

One of the main reasons I chose ASU was to be close to my family, because they always do their best to support me and my dreams. Having their support and love will help me further succeed in college. My parents work hard to support me and my siblings. Despite facing many challenges due to his time in the military, my stepdad continues to work very hard and support everyone. I am so thankful for him and my mother. Now, they won’t have to worry nearly as much. This scholarship will help me and my family tremendously. Once again, thank you so much for putting your faith in me and supporting my education. This award means the world to me and encourages me to do my absolute best.

Renee Joseph

Hello! I first want to begin by saying thank you for your kindness and generosity. My name is Renee Joseph, and I am entering my 3rd year at Arizona State University studying Digital and Integrated Marketing Communications. Being at ASU has allowed me to have a safe place near my family, to study something I am passionate about. After graduation, I hope to create meaningful marketing campaigns for a company that puts diversity and inclusion at the forefront of its brand. In the near future I hope to find an internship that will allow me to gain real-world experiences related to my future career field.

I am beyond thankful to have been selected by the committee for this scholarship. I currently work a part-time job and try to balance my school schedule with my work schedule. With this job, I have had the opportunity to gain some very valuable customer service skills, but I also have had less time to partake in opportunities such as internships and student organizations. I have always wanted to become more involved in the community and make monumental steps in creating my future, but I felt that financial duties have held me back. This scholarship will allow me to work towards creating a future for myself that I will be proud of. Again, I am incredibly grateful to the scholarship committee for their generosity and kindness throughout this entire process.

Luther Laycoax

My name is Luther Laycoax, and I am pursuing my Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. I want to obtain my degree because I would be a first-generation college student, I’m a returning student after many years, and I want to use my knowledge and experience to level up within my career field. I have been working in purchasing, procurement, and supply chain for almost twenty years and I am seeking my degree so I can better myself both professionally and personally.

I want to thank you both for this amazing opportunity. I greatly appreciate this scholarship and want to express how much of a difference this will make for me. I’m so grateful for this chance because it allows me to pursue my degree without having to worry about finances, and to set me up for success in my future. I plan to obtain my degree and go on to make a difference in my field. A degree is very important in my line of work, and it has taken me years to pursue it. I always had some sort of barrier preventing me from finishing higher education, but now, with this scholarship, I am able to pursue my dreams. Again, thank you so much for this scholarship and what it means for me and my family.

Sara Mattingly

I want to thank the Family First Committee for choosing me as a recipient of this award. When I decided to return to school after many years, the first school I looked at was ASU. Their online program was the best fit for my lifestyle, as I have a young daughter at home, and I knew what an excellent education I would be receiving through ASU. I chose the major of Healthcare Compliance and Regulation for a few reasons. My previous experience was as a phlebotomist in a clinical research setting. As much as I enjoyed this type of work, I wanted to do something more in the area that regulates the safety of healthcare organizations and patients, and fights against fraud and improper billing. Compliance affects all of us and I am thrilled to be able to use my knowledge to help others. I also feel that people who abuse the system should be held accountable, which aligns perfectly with this degree.

Since returning to ASU, I have earned the Dean’s list every semester and maintained a cumulative GPA that will grant me honors cords during graduation. After graduation, I am planning on working as a chart auditor or coding quality auditor but am also open to all opportunities that come my way. This scholarship will give me the ability to focus on my studies with less financial stress on my family. I cannot thank you enough for believing in me and granting me this award.

Candace Muhlhauser

I am writing this letter to express my sincere gratitude to you all and thank this committee for making the Family First Scholarship available to people like myself. I am so grateful for being selected for this scholarship. It will have a profound impact on my family. I am married to a 100% disabled Marine Corp veteran and a mother to a 14-year-old girl, so being a full-time student can be both financially and mentally taxing. This scholarship will greatly relieve that financial burden. It will allow me to dedicate time to my studies and maintain my 4.0 GPA.

This scholarship will also allot me the opportunity to become the first person in my family to receive a bachelor’s degree from a university! I hope that by doing so, I inspire my daughter to pursue her passions in life and to learn it is never too late to achieve your dreams. Thank you again, Family First Committee, for selecting me to receive this scholarship. I will do my best to honor your generous contribution.

Jasmine Romkee

My name is Jasmine Romkee, and I am in the technical communication UX program at ASU. I will graduate in Fall 2023 and plan to acquire a job to utilize what I learned this last year. As someone with anxiety and ADHD, technical communication applies to me because I understand the difficulties people experience when grasping information or how they may experience and engage with it. I also plan to take classes in 2024 and work toward my MS in UX; I have gone this far and will go the whole nine yards.

I want to send a thousandfold thank you to the Family First Scholarship. As a Chapter 35 dependent, I have been fortunate to use those benefits towards my education, and this scholarship will alleviate much of the financial stressors that would usually be attached to that. With this scholarship, I can focus on my classes and take 15 credits to finish the year.

Mr. West and Mr. Lofton, your generosity and encouragement superseded any hopes or expectations I could imagine. Having people close to you who believe in you is one thing, but having others who don’t know you and extend themselves to show you that they care and support you is incredible. Mr. West and Mr. Lofton, I intend to stay in touch with both of you as time passes. Hopefully, one day, I can pay it forward with you both when the opportunity presents itself. Thank you for everything; this scholarship has not only impacted my life financially, but the correspondence of support and understanding also gave me the confidence and reassurance I needed.

Martha Salter

Meeting both of you has been an absolute delight, I am overwhelmed by the profound impact that Chris, Mike, and your families have had on my life. The immeasurable generosity you have shown me leaves me at a loss for words. I want to take this moment to express my heartfelt gratitude. With this scholarship, I am determined to make the most of this incredible opportunity.

I want you to know that I cherish every aspect of my life, not only as a devoted mother and wife but also as an industrious and dedicated individual fueled by an unwavering motivation to achieve my goals. My family’s well-being and happiness are my top priorities, and I hold these values close to my heart.

In addition to my family, I possess a deep passion for assisting veterans in my community. I firmly believe that those who have selflessly served our country deserve our utmost respect and support. It is my mission to make a positive impact in their lives whenever I can. And as I pursue my educational endeavors, I will carry your kind support with me, always mindful of the dreams and aspirations I am on the verge of realizing. It is my desire to inspire others to do the same.

Your unwavering support enables me to wholeheartedly dedicate myself to my studies. As I embark on the path of Business Administration, I hope to find a career that brings me fulfillment and allows me to make a meaningful difference. This transformative educational journey is one that I approach with utmost dedication. Your belief in me fuels my determination to excel academically and make a lasting impact in my chosen field.
From the depths of my heart, I extend my sincerest gratitude to both of you. Your support has not only alleviated my financial burdens but has also instilled in me an unshakeable faith in the inherent goodness and compassion that exist in this world. I will forever be grateful for the pivotal role that you both have played in shaping my future.

Danielle Villalpando

I write this letter with profound gratitude and an overflowing heart. I am thrilled to be this year’s recipient of the Family First Scholarship. The recognition and financial relief it provides will undoubtedly ease my journey to a higher education. My name is Danielle, and I am proudly a Senior at Arizona State University, majoring in Technical Communication, focusing on User Experience. My passion for tech and desire to transform lives through digital interfaces led me to this unique field. My role at a Microsoft partner company has further ignited this passion, and I am eager to dive deeper into this thrilling confluence of communication, technology, and user-centered design.

I chose ASU for its unparalleled flexibility, a critical aspect for me as I balance a full-time job and parenting my 2-year-old. Being a military spouse of a disabled veteran, life is a constant juggle. However, ASU’s support has been a beacon of hope, helping me manage my various roles while striving to become a first-generation graduate. Winning this scholarship feels like a validation of my hard work and dedication. Maintaining a strong GPA has not been easy, but the rewards, like this scholarship, make the sacrifices worth it.

The financial relief provided by this scholarship will allow me to focus more on my studies and worry less about our family’s financial situation, a priceless gift in itself. After graduation, my ambition is to continue my education by pursuing a Master’s degree. My ultimate goal is to use the skills I’ve acquired to open new doors within the tech industry, bringing the power of user-focused design to broader audiences. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for this opportunity. Being selected as the recipient of the Family First Scholarship not only brings me financial relief but also strengthens my commitment to my education, my passion, and my future.