Get Pattie to Columbia

I can relate to Isaac Newton because my undergraduate degree is something completely different than what I am striving to become.  Sir Isaac Newton originally attended school for Law, whereas I attended school for psychology.  Once I realized I wanted to go to school for astrophysics I was already late in my junior year of college.  At this point I decided to just finish my degree in psychology and pursue a post baccalaureate education in astrophysics. 

I applied to Columbia University's post baccalaureate certificate program May 2013, and I was accepted.  Over the moon with joy, I hurried and enrolled in classes.  Soon the joy melted away when I realized how hard it is to get funding for a post baccalaureate degree.

Scholarships, grants, and even internships are all offered only to undergraduate students.  My only option are loans.  I do qualify for a very small amount of federal loans, not ever worth taking out- but will if need be, but I cannot get approved for personal loans (nor do I have any cosigners).  This is where you come in.

I am simply asking for any donation to help me earn an education in astrophysics.  This is my dream.  I do believe I deserve to become a great astronomer.  I wish the US offered free education to make more dreams come true.  Any amount helps and is very much appreciated.

Lastly, I wanted to make note that it has taken me a year to make this simply because I do not like to ask for help.  However, as the late Randy Pausch stated in his book 'The Last Lecture'- sometimes all you have to do is simply ask.  Please help me become an astronomer.