Hannah's College Tuition

Hello friends! I’m Madi McVan, and I wanted to make a fundraiser for Hannah Benton. She gave me permission to share her story, and it is my hope that it will help her continue her education. Hannah is a Freshman at Arizona State University, studying International Business. Her hard work in high school earned her over $26,000 in scholarships per year, and she is an active competitor on ASU's nationally ranked Speech and Debate team.

Due to some unusual circumstances, Hannah must pay for school alone. Though her parents would like to help her out, the expense of having ten children has confined them to a very conservative income. Unfortunately, despite the large family, she barely received a fraction of her education costs through FAFSA. Because her parents don't believe they are in a financial position to cosign her loans, and aren’t comfortable removing her as a dependent from their taxes, she cannot take out any loans. Though she has worked full time as a waitress this semester, while balancing 18 hours of class, it has not been enough to cover the cost of tuition. She is responsible for coming up with $8000 each semester, and is barely halfway there for the Fall. If she does not get her debt below $2000 before the end of 2016, she will be unable to register for classes next semester.

If forced to drop out, Hannah has very limited options. ASU is cheaper than community college, as Hannah is a resident of a suburb of Austin and has to pay out-of-district tuition at ACC. If she can't afford ASU, she definitely can't afford ACC either. Her parents will only let her move home on the condition that she pays them AT LEAST the rent of a medium sized apartment each month, and abide by incredibly confining rules which bind her sexual orientation and religious practices. These rules include strictly supervised time with her younger siblings, denying her relationship with me, and required church attendance. She could move out of the dorms to a cheaper apartment, but it costs $500 just to break her housing contract.

Any money raised will go towards Hannah's debt to ASU. If she meets the goal, she will be able to continue classes at ASU in the spring. This will give her time over winter and summer break to earn more money and hopefully find a way to take out loans, either by getting her parents to cosign or being written off their taxes. 

Hannah has exhausted all of her options, and that is why I am making this fundraiser. She and I would both be incredibly grateful for any donations, because we agree that getting an education is the best way to rise above her circumstances.