Earn Library Tech Associate in Applied Science

When I did not fully recover from the illness, and I continued to suffer from the effects of PASC (*Post Acute Sequelae of Covid-19), my whole outlook changed. I could not just "go back" as the world continues to change and the virus continues to mutate and evolve, and nothing really feels "normal" about our on-going pandemic life. I need a new job that will allow me to work behind the scenes, or remotely from home, and also a job that matters to the greater good.

My love of history, learning, and books, brought me to the decision to pursue a degree that would allow me to return to the workforce as a library paraprofessional, or a research assistant, serving society by working in the archives of a library, a museum, or a college.

As one of the criteria for Reconnect eligibility, I enrolled in a community college in my home district - Henry Ford College, where I have excelled - ranking in the top 10% of my class by maintaining a 4.0-3.85 GPA throughout, earning a place on the Dean's List, and being inducted into the National Honor Society. And at the end of the Summer term, I will have successfully earned 37 credits toward the completion of my first associate degree. This means that I have successfully met the requirements for the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) and, since the college I am now attending does not offer the program of study that I am interested in, I will need to transfer to another college to complete my degree.

Oakland Community College is the only school in the entire state of Michigan to offer the Library Services and Technology Associate in Applied Science degree. But being an "out of district" student there will mean higher tuition rates, and although the Reconnect Scholarship will continue to pay a large part of my tuition cost, I will be left responsible for nearly $100 per credit hour, each term - not including textbooks and materials. (*ie; If I enroll in three 3 credit classes, I will need roughly $900 more than my current scholarship and Pell Grant will cover every term.)

I have been diligently searching and applying for as many additional scholarships as I can find - that I am eligible for, every single day. But the field is very narrow and the competition is very high. Most scholarships are aimed at supporting high school seniors, not senior citizens, and many are limited to the school you attend or the state you live in. While I wait and hope for success in winning the funds needed, I have been encouraged to turn to friends to assist me in this pursuit, so I am asking anyone who cares, and who has the ability, to help me achieve this goal by contributing whatever you can to my education fund.