Carthage College Tuition
Donation protected
My name is Samantha Haltom and I am a graduate of Lake Forest High School in Lake Forest, Illinois.
Since 7th grade my goal has been to graduate high school, have a job, and be able to afford to go to college; unlike my parents. My father took a few classes while he was in the Marine Corps, and my mom only did about two years of community college before moving to Illinois with my dad.
When my parents divorced 6 years ago, it left both parents in financial distress. I never thought it would really affect me, but I was wrong.
When Carthage offered me thousands of dollars in scholarships, I knew that I needed to take this opportunity to become a success. Since Junior year I have been committed to Carthage, and until recently it seemed nothing stood in my way. The scholarships kept coming in, I was the first recipient of the Latin Club Scholarship from the High School, and I thought that the student loans would be easy, so I saved them for last.
When I tried to apply for them by myself to cover the remaining $7300, I was denied. I expected this though- since I have no credit card and therefore no credit.
Because of the divorce and some mortgage problems with the house, my dad still owes money to a loan from years ago. Because of this, he was denied as a cosigner, as was my mother.
I have gotten $40,000 of my tuition covered with loans, scholarships, and grants from the school and from the government, but there is still that last $7360 that I need to cover. I'm not expecting to cover it all. If I can even get it down to $2000 I could attend college with a monthly payment plan that my dad, mom, and I agreed to work on together throughout the year.
All I'm hoping for is a chance to attend the school that I have been in love with since the moment I saw it. I have never been this close to something in my life, and so far away. As cliche as it sounds, it makes sense to me.
I have never wanted something so badly and I will do whatever it takes to attend Carthage College. I will be one of the very few in my family to attend- and graduate- from a private college, and I can only hope someone reads this -anyone- and helps me.
Thank you for giving me a few moments of your time.
Samantha J Haltom
Since 7th grade my goal has been to graduate high school, have a job, and be able to afford to go to college; unlike my parents. My father took a few classes while he was in the Marine Corps, and my mom only did about two years of community college before moving to Illinois with my dad.
When my parents divorced 6 years ago, it left both parents in financial distress. I never thought it would really affect me, but I was wrong.
When Carthage offered me thousands of dollars in scholarships, I knew that I needed to take this opportunity to become a success. Since Junior year I have been committed to Carthage, and until recently it seemed nothing stood in my way. The scholarships kept coming in, I was the first recipient of the Latin Club Scholarship from the High School, and I thought that the student loans would be easy, so I saved them for last.
When I tried to apply for them by myself to cover the remaining $7300, I was denied. I expected this though- since I have no credit card and therefore no credit.
Because of the divorce and some mortgage problems with the house, my dad still owes money to a loan from years ago. Because of this, he was denied as a cosigner, as was my mother.
I have gotten $40,000 of my tuition covered with loans, scholarships, and grants from the school and from the government, but there is still that last $7360 that I need to cover. I'm not expecting to cover it all. If I can even get it down to $2000 I could attend college with a monthly payment plan that my dad, mom, and I agreed to work on together throughout the year.
All I'm hoping for is a chance to attend the school that I have been in love with since the moment I saw it. I have never been this close to something in my life, and so far away. As cliche as it sounds, it makes sense to me.
I have never wanted something so badly and I will do whatever it takes to attend Carthage College. I will be one of the very few in my family to attend- and graduate- from a private college, and I can only hope someone reads this -anyone- and helps me.
Thank you for giving me a few moments of your time.
Samantha J Haltom
Organizer
Samiicakes Haltom
Organizer
Lake Bluff, IL
Begin your fundraising journey
