Hi, my name is Riley. I am 42 years old. I returned to college in August of 2020 to finish my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. A lot of things happened to get me to that point, including getting out of a bad marriage and then losing my housing due to LGBTQ discrimination. I have been homeless since August 1, 2020, after being given less than the legal amount of time to vacate my studio apartment. I was blessed enough to be able to stay with friends for a few months but have been staying in an extended stay motel since the end of January 2021. I was able to receive a few grants and some financial help from friends to cover the cost of the motel for about the first year but the cost of staying here has increased twice during my time here and it is slowly reaching a point of no longer being sustainable. I have attempted to get into multiple housing programs but have either been denied or dropped off their radar so I have given up trying. I opted to go back to college to better my situation.

I work approximately 30 hours a week as a barista for a company that provides excellent benefits at only 20 hours weekly. This company also allows my work schedule to be flexible enough to fit the needs of my 50/50 shared custody schedule with my 11-year-old daughter.

I have tried to do several side gigs including editing, proofreading, writing books, Instacart, donating plasma, and house/pet sitting. Some of these have proved to be fruitless and/or problematic in their own way, but my point here is that I have been trying just about everything I can to better my circumstances.

I have been a full-time college student since August 2020 enrolled in online classes through Brenau University. Spring semester 2022 grades just came in and I received an A in every class I took this semester! In my first semester, I took 4 classes and received 3 As and 1 B. In my second semester, I took 4 classes and received 3 As and 1 B. In my third semester, I took 5 classes and received 3 As and 2 Bs. This, having been my 4th semester, I took 4 classes and for the first time, got all As! I'm incredibly proud of myself for making this happen despite all I've got going on. I know that it is in part due to me getting on an anti-depressant/anti-anxiety med at the tail end of last semester, but I also recognize that it's in part due to the amazing support network I have built. I also share this to show you that I believe that any investment you make in my education is worth your while. I am not screwing around. I am invested in my education and my grades.

I have learned today that I only have enough financial aid, including federal student loans, to cover 3/4 of my summer tuition. In order for me to graduate on time and not be stuck with the potential of graduating mid-school year and having a more difficult time finding a teaching job, I must take summer classes this year. For clarity, I am due to graduate in May 2023. If I do not take summer classes, that pushes my student teaching semester to Fall 2023 and graduation date to December 2023 with my looking to get hired in January 2024. If I stay on track, I will do my student teaching in Spring 2023 and can look to get hired at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year.

The lack of enough financial aid leaves me with a balance of $2230.67. If I don't have this paid in full by the end of July, I cannot take Fall semester classes. I'm not sure if with my current financial situation (my divorce left me with a lot of debt and a not-so-great credit score that I cannot do much about on my current salary, but need to sustain in order to try to gain housing), I'm eligible for private student loans, nor do I know what the terms and conditions for repayment are in regards to them versus federal student loans. I cannot take on an additional payment at this time unless it can also be deferred until after graduation.

As it is, I was informed today that I also need new tires on my car very soon (bear in mind that I drive back and forth from Woodstock, GA to Chattanooga, TN multiple times a week for my daughter) and I had to delay that too. Since I have the goal set for $3,000, any money received beyond the tuition amount due will go towards the approximately $650 the tires will cost.

For as far back as I can remember - maybe around fourth grade? - I have wanted to teach in an elementary school. Being a teacher is all I have ever wanted to be in life. Being able to be a positive male role model for young kids - something that many of them don't see outside of a P.E. teacher - is important to me.

If you cannot afford to donate to help me, could you please share my fundraiser with anyone that you think might help me? Either way, you are greatly appreciated.

If you read all of this, thank you for your dedication. I know it is a long read but I wanted to be detailed and clear as to why I am in need.