Hi, I’m Devonte Jackson, a senior at Howard University majoring in Supply Chain Management.

I’ve completed 116 credits — just two classes away from graduating. But I can’t register because of a $28,000 balance.

So far, I’ve raised $2,600, and I’m truly grateful. But I need to bring my balance down to $5,000 to register for my final semester. Until then, Howard is withholding my transcript and blocking me from graduating.

I was recently awarded $3,700 in Pell Grant aid for Fall 2025, but if I can’t register, I’ll lose that support. I’m also on a $2,300/month payment plan, and if I miss a payment, my account goes to collections and gets taxed at 30%.

I started at Howard when I was 17, still learning how to manage college and my mental health. In 2019, I lost my cousin Zadane, who was like a brother. We had just turned 16—our birthdays were a week apart. That grief hit hard. My GPA dropped to 1.25 in my first semester, and I lost my HU Achievers Scholarship ($10K/semester). Still, I fought back and returned to good academic standing.

I’ve since taken out about $80,000 in student loans to keep going. But senior year, I was denied more loans and couldn’t register for my final two classes. Even worse, because I had signed a housing contract, I was required to pay for my dorm whether I attended full-time or not. That meant I had no choice but to continue—even though I couldn’t finish. I couldn’t pause and catch up. That decision wasn’t mine.

I’m currently working, but inconsistent hours make it hard to keep up. I’m actively looking for better work while fighting to graduate and move forward.

I plan to attend law school after finishing at Howard. Your support helps me get there.

Devonte Jackson

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/4f6cbced

CashApp: $Devonte3981

Instagram: @DevonteJOfficial

TikTok: @DevonteJOfficial