College Tuition for Bridget

Hello! My name is Bridget, and I'm a 53-year-old returning student.

Three years ago, I resigned from a high-stress, low-paid position due to escalating health issues and disabilities that were damaging both my quality of life and my job performance. Looking for a career change that would accommodate my health needs, I returned to community college alongside two of my children studying the digital arts (graphic design, animation, and film arts). It's been a huge challenge for all of us, but thanks to financial aid, some freelance income from editing, art, and fiction writing, and a great deal of support from friends and family, especially my mother, we're almost done.

Unfortunately, while Madeline and Mark have relatively clear paths ahead, some new challenges are tripping me up at the finish line. In addition to renewed health problems impeding my freelance income for the past two months, I have just been advised that I am no longer eligible for financial aid, which also means I cannot continue as a work-study student as I'd planned. And while all of us in the household are applying for jobs large and small, classes start in a week, and without a large chunk of my tuition being paid in advance, I will have to drop out for the semester. Although I obviously consider Maddie and Mark's educations of primary importance, I would be deeply disappointed not to reach my own goals after I have worked so hard.

I have just two semesters of classes left to complete my final academic goal, an AAS degree in Digital Film Arts. For a variety of reasons the 2025-2026 academic year is the last year I expect to be able to study at Pima. It's basically now or never. And after consulting with several friends and my mother, I am determined not to give up without a fight, even at the expense of my pride.

Please help me cross that finish line. Thank you!