College Tuition-Single Mom in Respiratory Care

My name is Shaniquica Manson. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. My journey hasn’t been easy, but I’ve come this far by maintaining my faith, practicing positivity, even in my darkest moments, and, most importantly, my diligence and ambition.

I worked as a Medical Assistant for several years until I gave birth to my fantastic bundle of sunshine in 2019. As a medical assistant, I could work full-time and take part-time classes toward my degree. Shortly after my daughter was born, the entire world was impacted by COVID-19. During the pandemic, my story was similar to many others; my daughter and I endured challenging times. I was a single mom, silently suffering from depression and anxiety and being a victim of domestic violence. Despite these disparities, I was committed to pursuing my degree. My daughter gave me new purpose and strength to keep pushing through. In addition to wanting to make a difference in healthcare, I needed to create a better life and foundation for both my daughter and me; while having these difficulties, I was able to complete my first year, all while maintaining a GPA above 3.0. During this time, my daughter was also diagnosed with ASD and had a low/weak immune system. With prayer and guidance, we persevered.

Most of my tuition was paid by scholarships, grants, work-study, and federal loans; now, in my Junior/Professional year, I was advised to seek private loans to cover tuition costs. Unfortunately, I was not approved since I did not have an eligible cosigner. In addition to tuition balance, my Junior/Professional year comes with some out-of-pocket expenses, such as textbooks, clinical clearance, childcare, and travel expenses. I’ve come this far, and I refuse to give up. “Asking for help is never a sign of weakness. It’s one of the bravest things you can do, and it can save your life”. So here I am asking for your help, not only for my future but for my daughter's future. I appreciate all the support I get. Anything helps, including kind words of encouragement and prayers. Thank you all for your time, genuine support, and kindness.