Hi.

I’m Aleena and ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted to study at a university. I worked hard my entire life, through all the ups and downs of life.

However, as I finished high school, my mother got cancer and I had to stay by her side, putting a hold on my educational dreams. She passed away in 2018 and after taking 6 months off, I enrolled at a community college. Studying and putting myself into a pursuit of seeking knowledge gave me a purpose in life and despite the grief I was dealing with, I ended up on the Dean’s List for all the semesters I spent at the college. My GPA was nearly perfect and I began to apply for a transfer to a four-year institution and I got into one of my dream universities.

Just as I had gotten in to the university, COVID-19 happened and on top of that, my dad got diagnosed with a heart disease. He was my only living parent and the thought of losing him derailed my life significantly. I ended up in a deep state of depression where I was taking anti-anxiety medications while trying to manage university. My first two quarters at the university were so difficult and I ended up deciding to take a break to focus on my mental health. It was the most difficult time in my life where I didn’t have a goal that was pushing me to keep going.

I took a break for 3 quarters and it really did help because I ended up with a renewed desire for learning. I wanted to finish up college and move on to bigger things, learning more. But I wanted to put an end to this one chapter of my life that was associated with so much grief. I am now three quarters into finishing my degree and I was hoping for this to be my last quarter. But my university informed me that I would have to take an additional quarter to graduate.

College is expensive, especially for out-of-state or international students. I have to pay $15,850 per quarter and that ends up at $47,550 for the entire year minus the summer quarter. My father has spent so much money on my education just so I could fulfill my dream of studying my favorite subject at one of my favorite universities. But we didn’t see COVID-19 coming, or my dad getting sick and having to seek expensive treatment to get better. He spent the last of his savings for this quarter of mine and I don’t want to burden him with having to produce another $15,850 just so I could finish my degree.

I know it’s a lot to ask but this has been my dream ever since I was a child. I can’t walk away with only one quarter left but I don’t have the money to afford it either. Student loans require a co-signer, which I don’t have either. And I would be so grateful if you could donate, even the tiniest amount to help me get closer to achieving my dream.