I hope this message reaches you well. I am writing requesting emergency funding to help me continue my college education. I currently owe my school $5,000, and without it, I cannot register for classes.

I am a sophomore business marketing major at Alabama State University. My time here hasn’t been easy. I’ve lost people, went no contact with family members, dealt with change, trials, challenges, feeling like every step I take forward is ten steps back, but I never stopped moving. I’ve stayed up nights studying on classes I had to retake, worked day and night to make ends meet, living paycheck to paycheck, but I still kept moving. Even though I had setbacks, even at some points thinking I’d never get to where I wanted to be, I always strived for improvement. Now, I’m steadily raising my GPA, I’ve immersed myself in campus organizations and activities, I have an apartment and I’m even the marketing head at my job. I wouldn’t have ever gotten this far if I let my challenges ground me.

Throughout the summer, I have been saving up money to come closer to my goal, but with bills, I haven’t been able to reach it. I have reached out to organizations and help group but have gotten no reply’s. My family and I have applied to loans but keep getting denied. That along with the lack of communication on Alabama State’s end with informing me of this issue and their lack of response and resources, I now only have a week left to register for classes.

I’ve tried, cried and fought to be at the place where I’m at now, and I don’t want a past due balance to stop me from moving forward. So, I am humbly asking if you all would be willing to bless me with a grant to help me clear my balance. Any amount, even $5, would help me take one more step forward to continuing my education. If you prefer other ways to help me, please contact me about alternatives.

Thank you for your consideration,

India Chareese Heath