Hanna Ebel

As a young child, Hanna Ebel (SHRS ’20) had aspirations of being a veterinarian. However, as she entered her teen years, things changed.

“At some point I decided I wanted to help people more than animals,” said Hanna. Hoping to pursue a career in healthcare, Hanna applied to the University of Pittsburgh, all the while knowing the tuition was a bit beyond her family’s means.

“After being accepted I had a bit of a ‘freak out’ when I thought about the amount of debt my parents and I were going to have to take on,” Hanna said. “But I knew it was worth it for the quality of a Pitt education.”

Luckily, the University offered Hanna two scholarships.

“Getting those scholarships took a load off my mind today and off my future finances. I don’t have to be chasing money and my degree at the same time,” she said.

The support also allowed her parents to have a little more in reserve to help her younger brother when it came time for him to go to college.

“The generosity of those who make gifts to Pitt makes such a big difference in the lives of students, their families, and the community,” Hanna said. “I can’t thank them enough for making my future possible.”