Dear friends,

I cannot believe I am doing this right now but here goes. Shame has never been my forte and yet I feel it immensely as I create this crowd fund. I was recently informed, with a less than 24 hour notice, that I no longer qualify for federal financial aid, with only 6 credits left to complete my Masters Degree in Marriage & Family Therapy. This was a huge blow as I, like many graduate students, have been using student loans to pay for courses and supplement living expenses as my coursework and internship (unpaid) leave me virtually zero time for a full-time job. I have been nannying and working at least part-time throughout school but it really just covers the extras like gas, groceries, etc. With Josh’s job and income being hit severely by COVID, my loans have been such a saving grace during uncertain times.

I was able to pay the money needed to secure my place in the program (ie: not get kicked out) but another payment is needed beginning February 2nd. I have the option to taking out a private education loan however, I have been unable to qualify for one due to my lack of income. “Stuck” is the only word that I can think of right now. I feel truly stuck. At this current time, considering the urgency, there doesn’t seem to be many options beyond begging for the generosity of others.

I am set to graduate in May of this year, then I have one final (short) semester before I am all done. Y’all I have worked tirelessly for 2.5 years and I can’t stop now. If I lose my place in my program, I can’t continue with my internship and will have to put everything on hold for the foreseeable future, which seems gut wrenching after 2.5 years and only 6 credits.

All of this news came 4 days before our wedding, during one of the most stressful periods of our lives. I’m trying to think about the divine timing of everything and find the positive but it kind of feels like someone poured a dumpster of warm garbage onto our heads.

Please donate what you can, every dollar helps. And if you can’t donate but can share, that would be amazing as well. Thank you all for taking the time to read this.