Hi!

 

As my friends and family know, Cornell has not been an easy experience and I have weathered quite a lot on my own, as financially independent student, throughout the entirety of my academic career. All for something meant to help me escape poverty. I also experienced some serious mental health issues and lost housing, which prompted me to take a leave of absence in 2018 with only two remaining semesters before graduation.

 

For the past few years I've been in Ithaca, working jobs, building a community, and recovering from the culture shock and chaos of my early undergrad. I have discovered so much about myself in my early twenties (which is what happens I hear lol) and I am proud to say I no longer feel at risk of mental health crises or loss of control--I feel like I've GOT me and I love me.

 

All that said, I feel prepared to return to Cornell and get my dang degree!!! However, in this last stretch, I'll need some help: I have one last financial hurdle to overcome to graduate. Since I won't be able to work full time while I attend school, instead of stressing out and wracking my brain to make money at the inevitably slow and greuling rate that inflation yields with the price of living moving faster than minimum wage, I decided to reach out to the people who have watched and rooted for me since day one, and to people who want to see a femme latina baddie emerge victorious from the grips of poverty.

 

I have two semesters left, which means I'll need to pay rent for a year along with partial tuition, books, groceries and necessities; my rent is very cheap for Ithaca (550/month) but I am a little stumped as to how I will make the payments while going to school registered as an independent student (the system favors dependent students who have to apply to the fafsa with a parent/parents and becomes VERY complicated with independent students; I've unfortunately had a lot of horrific interactions with the financial aid office.) for one year, that totals to $6,600, which is my current goal amount. If this goal were to be reached within the next few months, I would be saved an immeasurable amount of stress and be able to graduate without issue. I am incredibly grateful for whatever small amount you're able to contribute; know that you are making my life so much better so that I can someday do the same for others.

 

Sincerely,

Ana Celeste Carpenter