Carpini's Return to College Fund

Have you ever been lost?
I'm not talking about lost without a map or in a parking garage where you can't remember where you parked your car, but lost, as in without direction?
As some of my friends can attest, that was me . . . wandering through life, always working hard, but never really getting anywhere.  For years I've had two jobs, struggled to make ends meet, never really satisfied with what I was doing, but not having any idea how to make a change.
Then 7 years ago tragedy struck my family and my little sister passed away from causes unknown.  We were blindsided, to say the least.  Her passing became a pivotal point in my life.  I realized that life can be short and events can happen without warning.  More importantly, I realized that up to that point I hadn't accomplished anything that would make a difference in the world and I wasn't on the path to do so either.
Shortly after that, the world changed and gave me a kick in the butt to start making a change.  When the housing market collapsed and I lost my job, I began to realize that this was an opportunity to change the direction my life was headed.
I began researching different career paths in the medical field and after a few false starts and speed bumps along the way I've finally settled into nursing, a career in which I know that I can make a difference in people's lives.  I've been licensed as a Massage Therapist and an EMT and now I work in a Cardiac ICU as a Nursing Assitant, all steps along the way in accomplishing my goal.  All of these jobs have given me more satisfation than anything I'd done before.  I've been in school and working full-time for the past 3 years to prep myself for the next big step, which I'm finally ready to take.
So I was accepted into the LSU Health Sciences Accelerated BSN program to start in August, thrilled out of my mind . . . until I got the estimated budget from the school.  I've maxed out my Federal Loans and taken out additional private loans, but I'm still significantly short of what I'll need over the course of the two year program.  I've secured a job, even though we are't supposed to work because of the intensity of the program, but it still won't be enough.
Anyone who knows me knows how hard it is for me to ask for help, never mind charity, but I've exhausted all of my options and with the light at the end of the tunnel so close, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get there.  So I turn to you, my friends, my family, and even to perfect strangers to extend a hand to help get me there.  Hopefully I or someone else have touched enough lives out there in a positive way that some of you are willing to pay it forward.
If you're willing and able, I would forever be in your debt if you'd be able to find it in your hearts to lend a hand.