Shawnie's Fund to Graduate
Donation protected
My name is Shawnie. I am a senior at California State University East Bay in Hayward, CA majoring in Health Science with an emphasis in Pre-Clincial Preparation.
I have been in college since 2008, for a total of 7 years. I am a straight A student, and have been on the Dean's List numerous times. I have worked so hard to be where I am today. Today, I was told that if I do not pay $2188 by the end of this month, that I will be dropped from my classes and unable to graduate this June with my Bachelors of Science. Here is my story:
When I was 13 years old, my father suffered 3 strokes and underwent brain surgery. Since then, he has been unable to work and my mother has been the sole provider for my sister and I. Shortly after my fathers surgery, my mother was laid off from her job of 18 years, and was left only recieving half of her salary. When I turned 16, I got my first job to help support my family along with my mother. Ever since then, I have been working to help provide. For years, when I started college, I had to unfortunately put school on the back burner, often taking only 2 courses at a time, so that I could work full time and have enough money for my family and I to get by. I would spend 8-9 hours working a day, then go home to do hours upon hours of school work. This was an everyday occurence for me, but I knew I had to get it done. This of course prolonged my academic career as well. Hence, the reason I have been in school for 7 years. I never let it get me down though. I kept pushing like any persevering person would.
Throughout school, I also experienced multiple health issues as I was diangosed with Diabetes at the age of 10. The disease progressed, and through a variety of medications, I was still unable to get it under control. This left me battling the disease and many sick days from school. Still, I never let it get me down. I kept going, I had to! When I was 21 years old, my doctor informed that me retinas had started to deteriorate. This terrified me. I was so young, and the thought of possibly going blind was something I could not handle. At that point, I made the desicision to have gastric bypass surgery. On January 31, 2013 my life changed. I underwent surgery, and by the grace of God today I am no longer a diabetic and off of all medications. I have worked as a health coach, and found my calling in helping others achieve their own healthy lifestyles. I want to use my degree to better the lives of individuals with illnesses such as diabetes, so that they do not experience everything that I went through growing up. So what's stopping me now?
Throughout school, I was blessed to recieve financial aid. That is until this morning. I was informed that I had reached the maximum number of units that Financial Aid would pay for, and that if I did not pay my tuition in 5 days, that I would be dropped from all my classes and unable to graduate. I had never been informed of this prior to this morning and was at a complete loss for words. My heart dropped at this moment. My family has allowed me to stop working so that I can finally focus on completing my degree and give it my all during my last year of school. I have worked so hard and for so long, and to be so close to graduation, then to be told that money would be the reason that I might not recieve my degree, broke my heart.
I ask, if anyone, through the kindness of your heart can assist me with achieving my goals and aspirations. The $2188 only covers tuition, I can try to figure out how to cover the additional cost of books, cap and gown, and the rest of the educational expenses. I just do not want to be dropped from my classes and placed in the situation that I am unable to graduate. Even the smallest amount helps in extraordinary ways. No amount is too little. I have not let my illnesses stop me from achieving my goals on this journey to success, and I do not want money to be the reason that I cannot receive my diploma, after working this hard. Any amount helps, and I appreciate it more than I can describe.
God bless you all!
I have been in college since 2008, for a total of 7 years. I am a straight A student, and have been on the Dean's List numerous times. I have worked so hard to be where I am today. Today, I was told that if I do not pay $2188 by the end of this month, that I will be dropped from my classes and unable to graduate this June with my Bachelors of Science. Here is my story:
When I was 13 years old, my father suffered 3 strokes and underwent brain surgery. Since then, he has been unable to work and my mother has been the sole provider for my sister and I. Shortly after my fathers surgery, my mother was laid off from her job of 18 years, and was left only recieving half of her salary. When I turned 16, I got my first job to help support my family along with my mother. Ever since then, I have been working to help provide. For years, when I started college, I had to unfortunately put school on the back burner, often taking only 2 courses at a time, so that I could work full time and have enough money for my family and I to get by. I would spend 8-9 hours working a day, then go home to do hours upon hours of school work. This was an everyday occurence for me, but I knew I had to get it done. This of course prolonged my academic career as well. Hence, the reason I have been in school for 7 years. I never let it get me down though. I kept pushing like any persevering person would.
Throughout school, I also experienced multiple health issues as I was diangosed with Diabetes at the age of 10. The disease progressed, and through a variety of medications, I was still unable to get it under control. This left me battling the disease and many sick days from school. Still, I never let it get me down. I kept going, I had to! When I was 21 years old, my doctor informed that me retinas had started to deteriorate. This terrified me. I was so young, and the thought of possibly going blind was something I could not handle. At that point, I made the desicision to have gastric bypass surgery. On January 31, 2013 my life changed. I underwent surgery, and by the grace of God today I am no longer a diabetic and off of all medications. I have worked as a health coach, and found my calling in helping others achieve their own healthy lifestyles. I want to use my degree to better the lives of individuals with illnesses such as diabetes, so that they do not experience everything that I went through growing up. So what's stopping me now?
Throughout school, I was blessed to recieve financial aid. That is until this morning. I was informed that I had reached the maximum number of units that Financial Aid would pay for, and that if I did not pay my tuition in 5 days, that I would be dropped from all my classes and unable to graduate. I had never been informed of this prior to this morning and was at a complete loss for words. My heart dropped at this moment. My family has allowed me to stop working so that I can finally focus on completing my degree and give it my all during my last year of school. I have worked so hard and for so long, and to be so close to graduation, then to be told that money would be the reason that I might not recieve my degree, broke my heart.
I ask, if anyone, through the kindness of your heart can assist me with achieving my goals and aspirations. The $2188 only covers tuition, I can try to figure out how to cover the additional cost of books, cap and gown, and the rest of the educational expenses. I just do not want to be dropped from my classes and placed in the situation that I am unable to graduate. Even the smallest amount helps in extraordinary ways. No amount is too little. I have not let my illnesses stop me from achieving my goals on this journey to success, and I do not want money to be the reason that I cannot receive my diploma, after working this hard. Any amount helps, and I appreciate it more than I can describe.
God bless you all!
Organizer and beneficiary
Shawnie Nicole Crossley
Organizer
Antioch, CA
Shawn Crossley
Beneficiary