Fighting for My Dream: Why I'm Not Giving Up on College

Hello all!

My name is Aaliyah Richardson. I am an 18-year-old incoming architecture student at THEE Howard University from Denver, Colorado.

Earlier this year, I experienced one of the proudest moments of my life: I was accepted into my dream school, Howard University, during early decision. As a first-generation college student, this acceptance didn’t just represent academic success—it was a symbol of everything my family and I have worked toward. But shortly after that moment of joy, life took a painful turn. I lost my grandmother, someone who had been a constant source of love and encouragement. Her passing shook me to the core, and the months that followed were marked by grief, emotional exhaustion, and an escalating financial crisis at home.

Despite everything I’ve faced, I haven’t let go of my dream to attend Howard. But now, more than ever, I need support.

The reality is that my family is not in a position to afford the rising cost of college, especially after the losses and challenges we’ve endured this year. Like many families across the country, we are feeling the weight of inflation and a failing financial aid system. Even after receiving some assistance, the remaining costs of tuition, housing, and basic expenses are simply too much for us to manage on our own. I’ve applied to outside scholarships, taken on extra responsibilities, and looked for every way to contribute, but it’s still not enough.

And unfortunately, what’s happening at Howard right now reflects a bigger crisis across America. In recent months, the university has increased tuition by 7.5%, along with hikes in mandatory fees for services like housing, meal plans, and student health insurance. On top of that, many students—especially incoming freshmen like me—have found themselves blindsided by unexpected financial aid gaps due to changes in Howard’s administrative systems. Across the country, college tuition continues to rise at rates far beyond inflation, making higher education feel more and more inaccessible to families like mine.

But I refuse to give up. I’ve come too far and sacrificed too much. My dream of attending Howard isn’t just about getting a degree. It’s about honoring my grandmother. It’s about honoring my big sister, Ariella, who passed away when I was just 10, and my purpose in fighting so hard to pave the way for our baby sister, Ajia, to show her that we can achieve success if we try. And it’s about honoring my family, who put in the time, endured loss, and never stopped believing in me.

As a first-generation student, this journey isn’t just about me—it’s about creating a legacy for my family and my community. Howard represents a powerful space for Black excellence, history, and leadership. I want to be a part of that. I want to walk across that stage in four years not just for myself, but for every person who believed in me when things got hard.

That’s why I’m reaching out now—for help, for support, for a chance to continue this journey. Any contribution, no matter how small, will go directly toward covering the costs of my tuition, housing, and school-related expenses. If you’re unable to give financially, simply sharing my story would mean the world.

This isn’t just about college. This is about resilience. This is about family. This is about the belief that even in the face of adversity, our dreams are still worth fighting for.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for helping me continue this journey.

Sincerely,

Aaliyah Richardson

Howard University Class of 2030