Chartered Financial Analyst Exam 1
Hey there! Firstly, thank you for taking the time to read this. It won't take you long. I'm requesting help in paying for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) level 1 exam, which I hope to sit this December. The CFA accreditation is one of the most prestigious professional certifications to attain for anyone working in financial services, but I'll talk more about that shortly.
For those of you not too familiar with my story, let me give you a brief overview as to how I got to this point:
I came to the US four years ago from my home country, Zimbabwe. I grew up in Zim (as we Zimbos like to refer to it as) mostly under the care of my amazing aunt and uncle, Bridget and Stuart Chalmers. My mother was killed in a car accident in 2002, leaving my sister and I to the care of extended family, as our father was not financially suited to support us. Last year, he sadly passed away too. However it is not what happens to you that defines you, but what you do in spite of such uncontrollable circumstances.
My dream growing up was to travel and explore and ultimately build something of my own, and so I worked unbelievably hard in high school to attain a scholarship to Texas Tech University. Extended family were once again my saviors, and this time they came in the form of Tony and Natalie Branco who have helped me so much in my coming over and living in the US.
In college I developed a passion for business and within that, finance. I served as the President of the Business Valuation club during part of my time at Texas Tech, in which I also attained the American Society of Appraisers level 1 and 2 professional level examinations. Hardly any non-professionals ever sit for these exams, though I am proud to say I passed both on my first go round. I also served as the executive member of Outreach for the Tech Activities Board student organization, and won awards in this capacity for service and overall excellence. I also worked part-time on campus 7 out of 8 semesters, with my most rewarding position being as a peer tutor for students with learning disabilities.
I graduated from Texas Tech with honors this May, and am in the pursuit of a full-time position that will sponsor me for a US work Visa (not the easiest thing to come by). I am currently working 3 part-time jobs - 2 of which are finance related - and am also tutoring on the side. Needless to say I am drinking from the proverbial fire-hose whilst working incredibly hard.
Unfortunately at this point I have not made enough money to cover the CFA exam cost , which is $1350. I will be able to pay off the initial registration fee ($450) and the cost of study materials (about $500), though the deadline for the $1350 + $450 is September 11, and time is not far enough on my side to make and pay the total required amount. I had hoped and expected to be financially better off at this point, but hiccups along the way have worked against me.
I am asking for your help in paying for this examination. Earning this first certificate (there are 3 in total) will be a huge booster for me career wise. As a foreign national I have to do as much as possible to make myself as valuable as possible to a company, in order to warrant the risk of their sponsoring me for a visa. This exam is one of the ways I proactively aim to do so.
If you choose to assist me in this goal, I give you my word I will do everything in my power to pass this examination. Attaining this level will be huge for me, and will open up a great many amount of doors.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me. Every bit counts hugely.
Thank you very much for your time, and if you contribute - Thank you for your help!
Sincerely,
Nile A. P. Walker