Charles Adkins ‘20 is not your average college student. At 22, he has been deeply involved in politics since 2014, when he worked as an intern for the city of Mukilteo. Since then he has worked on political campaigns, racked up three years of lobbying experience, and helped pass several significant bills through the state legislature. Now he is the vice president of federal affairs for the Washington Student Association. But getting where he is today has not been easy.

A member of the Yurok Tribe, Adkins grew up watching his community’s land leased to lumber companies by the federal government—a consequence of the Dawes Act of 1887. This, along with stories he heard from his grandfather, inspired him to get involved in politics.

Right now, high school seniors across the United States are weighing their acceptances to college and making decisions about the next few years of their lives. For many, the financial aid and support opportunities at an institution will dictate their choice.

Living costs and tuition fees are on the rise at colleges and universities. In the past decade, average tuition and fee prices at public four-year colleges increased by $2,670. Yet these days higher education institutions are filled with a financially diverse student body. Although the majority still hails from the upper class, more low-income students now enroll in college than their middle-income peers, while an increasing number of students find their way to college after experiencing poverty and even homelessness.

Charles Adkins makes no secret of his political leanings or ambitions. Even while living at Cocoon House, an Everett shelter for homeless teens, he was thinking big.

“He stood out from his peers in a very unique way,” said Cassie Franklin, Cocoon House CEO and an Everett City Council member. “He came up to me and said, ‘I’m going to run for office before my 18th birthday.’ ”