Hello, my name is Maritza Velazco-Moran. I am an incoming college freshman who is also a first generation student. As of June, I was depending on my student loans to cover the cost of my tuition and I was set to go on achieving my East Coast living dreams. However, I was not depending on the fact that I would need to enroll in my college's student health insurance plan which has now upped the cost of my student bill. This would not be covered by my loans. My family is going through financial strain this year which has implemented a severe setback in trying to achieve my educational dreams. I already have a plan in motion where I would be working on-campus to save up for additional costs like my books, travel back home, and paying off my student loans. I want to be able to manage these costs without them infiltrating my mind and thus putting additional academic stress on myself.

For more insight, I will be attending College of the Holy Cross --a competitive academic college in the East Coast (I am an out-of-state student from the Midwest)-- I am planning on double majoring in psychology and neuroscience. Ultimately, I hope to continue my education until I earn the highest degree and be able to participate in research initiatives. But I need to start from step one, which is my first year in my undergraduate degree.

I would greatly appreciate any donation as this would all be towards my student balance and focus on earning additional money for textbooks, educational materials, supplies, dorm essentials, and travel back home expenses. Plus, I would have the time to participate in the student culture of my college. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.