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Empowering Education: Supporting My Journey to Harvard

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About Me: Hi, my name is Shamar. I'm a 24-year-old who recently got into my dream school to study education policy this upcoming Fall semester. I graduated from Babson College as a Posse Scholar in 2022. Since then, I have been working at Babson as a Program Coordinator for the Undergraduate Experiential Learning team.

Why Education: I grew up in New York City where from a young age I was exposed to the disparities in the education system. Throughout my academic journey, I have become aware of the impact that the school district you are born into plays on future success. I am now at a point in my life where I feel as though I can help create change to promote more equitable opportunities for students who like myself come from underrepresented backgrounds. Attending HGSE's Master's Program in Education Policy & Social Analysis will not only equip me with the skills and knowledge to help fight oppression in our education systems, but it will also provide me with a network of diverse students and faculty who are all committed to creating. I hope to use this network to explore innovative ways to find solutions to the issues plaguing education today.

Future Goals: After completing my graduate degree, I would like to pursue a position at a non-profit organization where I can apply my knowledge and take on a lead role in designing curriculum, supporting initiatives that help the equitable allocation of resources, and enabling me to work directly with minority communities in urban areas. My long-term goal is to continue my education, pursuing my doctorate so that I can become a professor. In doing so, I hope to make a lasting impact by inspiring other students of color to pursue roles in Higher Education. With only about 6% of professors in America being Black, a crucial component of disrupting oppression involves diversifying the faculty who are teaching our future leaders.

The Cost: The cost of attendance for this program is $100,160. After adjusting this cost to better correspond with the more modest life style I plan to live while in school I believe my true cost of attendance will be closer to $87,000. I was fortunate enough to receive $36,000 in awards/grants from HGSE and also qualified for federal work study for up to $5,000 and a unsubsidized federal loan for $20,500. With all this considered I will still have a balance of $26,500 to cover. I am planning to request a federal direct plus loan, but the interest on this loan will be slightly higher than the federal unsubsidized loan I am already receiving and I will not be given a grace period for the repayment of it.

I understand $25,000 is a very large amount of money which is why I am also applying to various scholarships that are still available. If you come across any scholarships specifically for students studying education, policy, or black first gen students please let me know. Sharing information is just as helpful as donating! I am hoping this fundraiser reaches a wide range of people who are in the education sector and may know of some resources I can explore to find additional funding.

Thank you: Ultimately, I have made this GoFundMe because I know that achieving my educational goals will not only impact my own life but also countless others in underserved communities. By investing in my education, you're not just helping me fulfill a personal dream; you're contributing to the larger mission of creating a more equitable and just education system.

Every contribution, whether big or small, brings me one step closer to achieving my aspirations and making a tangible difference in the lives of students who deserve better opportunities. Your support is not just a donation; it's an investment in the future of education, social justice, and empowerment.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for considering my cause and for any support you can provide, whether it's through a donation, sharing this campaign with your network, or simply offering words of encouragement. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and pave the way for a brighter future for all.

Learn about me: I have attached some links below if you would like to learn a little bit more about me. Feel free to reach out to me personally as I would love to tell you more about my journey.

Links:

My acceptance letter :)






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Donations 

  • Stanley Wang
    • $20
    • 8 mos
  • Shamar Cole
    • $650 (Offline)
    • 8 mos
  • Elizabeth Barr
    • $200
    • 8 mos
  • Anonymous
    • $20
    • 8 mos
  • Christian Johnson
    • $50 (Offline)
    • 8 mos
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Organizer

Shamar Cole
Organizer
Boston, MA

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