My grandson is special needs: autistic. He is in college for the first semester in a special program that helps kids like him succeed in life, get a job, get their own apartment and survive. We never thought he would go to college. But we heard about the program through school. We told them we couldn’t afford for him to go. No problem it comes with a scholarship. Great! We applied an he was accepted.

Now we found out that the scholarship covers the program, not the college costs. So we are suddenly faced with him being tossed out come December because it is $26,000 we don’t have for a year. Most scholarships are already closed by the time we found out he needed more and we have exhausted every avenue. VocRehab won’t cover it, nor will any of the other autism groups we have contacted. We don’t want to saddle him for life with Student Loans. Not even sure he is eligible. This will devastate him to have to leave. Next year, we won’t have this issue, but we need to get this year covered. So if you could toss in a few dollars it would be most gratefully received! Either way please share! Save a dream for a kid, he is loving college and doing so well. Thank you no matter what!

So two updates: I need $13,000 by Friday to pay for this semester. And another $13,000 by April to pay for next semester.

Also we have one of his instructors we interact with sent me this when she found out:"Oh Darla, this is heartbreaking. He really thrived as a college student. He was all-in, be it in classes or social activities. I've even recently witnessed him feeling right at home and joking around with upperclassmen. And of course, it was wonderful getting to know you and your husband. I wish a miracle can happen in 2026. He deserves to be here."