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Support My Journey to Elon Uni.

Hi, I am Paloma Figueroa, and I have been accepted to Elon University for the fall 2015 semester.

As an undocumented student my college process has not been the same as many of my peers. Due to my legal status, I was limited in the options I had when applying to schools, and without citizenship I am considered an international student. I am also not able to do work study or receive money from FAFSA.

I was deported in the seventh grade, and a few months later, when my mother asked me if I wanted to cross the border once again, I decided to take a risk for my education. I am eternally grateful for my parents' decision to give my sisters and I the opportunity at a fulfilling life with opportunity. For this reason I am willing to do whatever it takes to take full advantage of the opportunities I have been given. Being undocumented has been a struggling factor in my life, but like any obstacle, I refuse to let it stop me. Everything that I have experienced in my life so far has taught me that in order to succeed, you must take risks. Being undocumented has made me want to push myself further every day; it has made me realize that I cannot take my education for granted and that I owe my parents so much for what they have done. Crossing the border at the age of twelve was like a hit of reality to me, nothing comes easy in life. As Eric Thomas said, “When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful”. This is the one quote that makes me want to strive for more.

Elon University is my top choice, and when visiting Elon, it was the first school that felt like home. I appreciated their welcoming students and supporting staff. I love its proximity to my family and its beautiful campus. Additionally, I admire Elon's devotion to inclusion and global engagement.

Unfortunately, my parents do not have the financial means to support my post-secondary education. Therefore, I am trying to raise money for my first year at Elon University. Without donations I will be unable to attend. I believe as student with a 4.2 GPA , class rank being 24 out of 340, and enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, I have worked too hard to go to a community college and not experience an amazing institution like Elon. You can find the summary of tuition and fees here.  Being undocumented, I do not qualify for financial aid and my student loan options are limited.
I am very enthusiastic about joining Elon University's Class of 2019. I would greatly appreciate any investment in my education. Go Phoenix! :)

Organizer

Paloma Figueroa
Organizer
Charlotte, NC

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