Help Kickstart My Future at UCLA
Donation protected
Hi there, my name is Joshua Scally and I am a freshman entering college at University of California - Los Angeles, the school at which I will begin the rest of my life. Except this achievement of mine is very close to slipping away, and can possibly disappear forever, again becoming the dream it once was. Before getting into that, here’s a little about myself: I have a passion for learning new things (although this isn’t limited to what’s in the textbooks) and making the most out of the opportunities made for me. Adventure is my calling, and exploring the unknown is an endeavor I could never imagine tiring of. I have lived in Pasadena, California for the majority of my life, and at the end of 2014 made a staggering move to San Marcos, Texas. Although heartbreaking at first, it was not long before I adapted by growing to love the new land I was thrown into and savoring my time there. Despite the profound and unforgettable connections forged, my career interests and longing for home landed me back in California at UCLA. Throughout the events in my life, some being desirable adventures and some not, I have grasped that the art of survival and perseverance through an experience is what truly builds character and enables us as human beings to wake up in the morning, ready to face whatever is thrown our way.
I am majoring in astrophysics, and have chosen to study accordingly because of my interests in the minute mechanisms of this world we find ourselves placed in. Applying the most modern advancements in physics and chemistry in this field, I am pursuing this to supplement my thirst for the knowledge of ‘how’ things in this universe work, and then to later share what I have learned to our younger generations through teaching while stressing the importance of caring for one’s self and the positive impact an individual can have. I’ve always needed a challenge that stares me back and a task that takes exertion. Being a self-driven student has translated into many accomplishments making my family and myself proud, such as helping lead campaigns for flood relief in volunteer-based organizations National Honor Society and Key Club International, and spreading awareness for social issues in League of United Latin American Citizens, Gay Straight Alliance, and League of Student Revolutionaries, founding my own local branch of a creative thought association called Future Problem Solvers, and spending countless hours helping my sister learn mathematics. My determination has long since carried me far, and catalyzed my perseverance through distress in high school and in adapting to my life’s biggest transition from California to Texas.
Now, I find myself on my way to building upon my education in undergraduate college, which has always been a goal for me since I realized the power of knowledge. However, despite my determination and prioritization of education, this is still a world in which money talks, and not the dreams of a young man. There have always been a lack of resources available to me, ultimately dawning in being from a low-income family that has been partially fueled by government assistance and kept running strong and striving by my hard-working and driven, single mother. In my mother’s struggle to keep my sister and I sheltered, fed, clothed, and breathing, any expenses that weren’t essential to paying the monthly bills, such as higher education, could simply be lived without. Although education was never stressed in my household, my mom not asking me for my grades throughout grade school did not deter me from achieving the very best results that I could with what I was given. I work hard because I can. I try my very best because anything less would be pointless, and I never needed anyone to instill that in me. And most importantly I want to sustain my own growth by continuing my education in college, but now I face a challenge bigger than any other that stands in the way of my dreams becoming reality.
The purpose of this GoFundMe is to help me pay for the demanding costs of a college education that which I cannot cover myself. My cost of attendance is doubled from $30,000 to $60,000 since I am an out-of-state student and UCLA is a state university, funded by the state government, of which I am no longer sponsored under since recently becoming a Texas resident and losing my California residency. The “free” money in grants I have qualified for because of my financial circumstance, along with the scholarships I have been awarded, and lastly the loans I am eligible and have applied for are just enough to cover the cost of my tuition, totaling at about $45,000, but does not touch the cost of housing, an approximate $15,000 for the year. These uncovered expenses side-winded my family and I, as they were expected to be covered by a loan offered to parents by the university. However, soon after applying, my mom was denied the loan, and left us without any other viable option to pay the remaining price. By this point, general college admissions had closed, ruling out any alternative college, and otherwise meaning I won’t be fulfilling my dream of going to college, that I have put all of my effort in to make my reality.
Not able to pay for the cost of housing, I either find myself at risk of being homeless or being kicked out of the university. The housing fee is broken into 3 equally divided payments, one in October, January, and April, which can optionally further be equally divided into 3 payments at the beginning of each month, resulting in about $1,600 per month. I will have a work-study job on top of classes, that pays directly into my tuition, alongside a part-time job to bring in extra cash along the way, but it will be a truly exhausting and challenging process that still won’t come close to what I need. I have enough money from my summer job to cover the first payment and a portion of the second, giving me extra time to gather additional resources. I am determined to do whatever I can and refuse to give up! This is why I am reaching out to any and all of those who are willing to lend a helping hand, as this is my last resort and I am doing all I can with what I have been given, but it is still not enough. “Don’t let money keep you from reaching your dreams” is what I always voice to myself from the countless people who have supported and guided me throughout my life. I don’t think money should ever be a barrier to the aspirations of someone striving to better themselves, but unfortunately we live in a world in which money talks, and I’m struggling to put my two cents in.
Many students or their parents find themselves struggling against the staggering costs of a college education, and are trapped in sinkholes of student debt for the sake of an education. I am one of these desperate students, and I am asking you to help afford me the opportunity to stay in college, stay off the streets, and pursue my dream of higher education. Furthering my education is essential to me, enabling me to push myself the farthest I can go and learn the most I can, so that I may pass my success on to the world of tomorrow and do my part in seeing our world thrive. I plan to encourage and influence a genuine, hard-working ethic and self-care in our kids who are underprivileged and not given the same advantage as others. The desire to educate and better oneself is an important characteristic and something I believe immensely benefits our future generations, and should not be something that is made difficult to touch but rather encouraged. Education being as difficult as it is now to pursue is intimidating, but it’s attainment should not be overlooked in any individual. In high hopes that I can grasp a college education, I will later continue to graduate school, in which I seek a doctorate in astrophysics, and with this I plan on becoming a professor by which I can do my part in bringing education to the countless low-income students that are struggling despite the odds to obtain it. Any help that is sent my way is endlessly appreciated, and will go a long way in bringing me closer to materializing my aspirations of educating our youth and making my college education a reality. I have gratitude, appreciation and love for any donations contributed to my housing fund and will give my very best to make the dreams of our youth come true just like you have to mine.
Thank you so much for your time.
#gfmscholarship #gobruins
I am majoring in astrophysics, and have chosen to study accordingly because of my interests in the minute mechanisms of this world we find ourselves placed in. Applying the most modern advancements in physics and chemistry in this field, I am pursuing this to supplement my thirst for the knowledge of ‘how’ things in this universe work, and then to later share what I have learned to our younger generations through teaching while stressing the importance of caring for one’s self and the positive impact an individual can have. I’ve always needed a challenge that stares me back and a task that takes exertion. Being a self-driven student has translated into many accomplishments making my family and myself proud, such as helping lead campaigns for flood relief in volunteer-based organizations National Honor Society and Key Club International, and spreading awareness for social issues in League of United Latin American Citizens, Gay Straight Alliance, and League of Student Revolutionaries, founding my own local branch of a creative thought association called Future Problem Solvers, and spending countless hours helping my sister learn mathematics. My determination has long since carried me far, and catalyzed my perseverance through distress in high school and in adapting to my life’s biggest transition from California to Texas.
Now, I find myself on my way to building upon my education in undergraduate college, which has always been a goal for me since I realized the power of knowledge. However, despite my determination and prioritization of education, this is still a world in which money talks, and not the dreams of a young man. There have always been a lack of resources available to me, ultimately dawning in being from a low-income family that has been partially fueled by government assistance and kept running strong and striving by my hard-working and driven, single mother. In my mother’s struggle to keep my sister and I sheltered, fed, clothed, and breathing, any expenses that weren’t essential to paying the monthly bills, such as higher education, could simply be lived without. Although education was never stressed in my household, my mom not asking me for my grades throughout grade school did not deter me from achieving the very best results that I could with what I was given. I work hard because I can. I try my very best because anything less would be pointless, and I never needed anyone to instill that in me. And most importantly I want to sustain my own growth by continuing my education in college, but now I face a challenge bigger than any other that stands in the way of my dreams becoming reality.
The purpose of this GoFundMe is to help me pay for the demanding costs of a college education that which I cannot cover myself. My cost of attendance is doubled from $30,000 to $60,000 since I am an out-of-state student and UCLA is a state university, funded by the state government, of which I am no longer sponsored under since recently becoming a Texas resident and losing my California residency. The “free” money in grants I have qualified for because of my financial circumstance, along with the scholarships I have been awarded, and lastly the loans I am eligible and have applied for are just enough to cover the cost of my tuition, totaling at about $45,000, but does not touch the cost of housing, an approximate $15,000 for the year. These uncovered expenses side-winded my family and I, as they were expected to be covered by a loan offered to parents by the university. However, soon after applying, my mom was denied the loan, and left us without any other viable option to pay the remaining price. By this point, general college admissions had closed, ruling out any alternative college, and otherwise meaning I won’t be fulfilling my dream of going to college, that I have put all of my effort in to make my reality.
Not able to pay for the cost of housing, I either find myself at risk of being homeless or being kicked out of the university. The housing fee is broken into 3 equally divided payments, one in October, January, and April, which can optionally further be equally divided into 3 payments at the beginning of each month, resulting in about $1,600 per month. I will have a work-study job on top of classes, that pays directly into my tuition, alongside a part-time job to bring in extra cash along the way, but it will be a truly exhausting and challenging process that still won’t come close to what I need. I have enough money from my summer job to cover the first payment and a portion of the second, giving me extra time to gather additional resources. I am determined to do whatever I can and refuse to give up! This is why I am reaching out to any and all of those who are willing to lend a helping hand, as this is my last resort and I am doing all I can with what I have been given, but it is still not enough. “Don’t let money keep you from reaching your dreams” is what I always voice to myself from the countless people who have supported and guided me throughout my life. I don’t think money should ever be a barrier to the aspirations of someone striving to better themselves, but unfortunately we live in a world in which money talks, and I’m struggling to put my two cents in.
Many students or their parents find themselves struggling against the staggering costs of a college education, and are trapped in sinkholes of student debt for the sake of an education. I am one of these desperate students, and I am asking you to help afford me the opportunity to stay in college, stay off the streets, and pursue my dream of higher education. Furthering my education is essential to me, enabling me to push myself the farthest I can go and learn the most I can, so that I may pass my success on to the world of tomorrow and do my part in seeing our world thrive. I plan to encourage and influence a genuine, hard-working ethic and self-care in our kids who are underprivileged and not given the same advantage as others. The desire to educate and better oneself is an important characteristic and something I believe immensely benefits our future generations, and should not be something that is made difficult to touch but rather encouraged. Education being as difficult as it is now to pursue is intimidating, but it’s attainment should not be overlooked in any individual. In high hopes that I can grasp a college education, I will later continue to graduate school, in which I seek a doctorate in astrophysics, and with this I plan on becoming a professor by which I can do my part in bringing education to the countless low-income students that are struggling despite the odds to obtain it. Any help that is sent my way is endlessly appreciated, and will go a long way in bringing me closer to materializing my aspirations of educating our youth and making my college education a reality. I have gratitude, appreciation and love for any donations contributed to my housing fund and will give my very best to make the dreams of our youth come true just like you have to mine.
Thank you so much for your time.
#gfmscholarship #gobruins
Organizer
Joshua Scally
Organizer
San Marcos, TX
