Help Katie's Law School Fund
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Hi! I am an incoming first year law student, or at least I’m hoping to be, for the Fall of 2021. As I’m sure many of you know and can relate to, the cost of higher education is astronomical. While I did receive a little bit of financial aid, it unfortunately does not fully cover the cost of my housing and textbooks, and I unfortunately am not in a position to take out loans.
My father suddenly passed away the summer going into my senior year, and I was suddenly in free-fall. Not only was I grieving the loss of my father, but I also was confronted with the reality that he took out significant federal and private loans to fund my education, loans I was not aware of as he took them out in my name without my knowledge or consent. I was immediately contacted by Sallie Mae to pay them on a monthly basis. Apparently, the type of loans he took out required a monthly payment of about $500 to cover the accruing interest alone. I was a full-time student with several part-time jobs that barely covered my cost of living. I had no money to give them and I explained my father had just died. They were cold and unrelenting and said that there were no exceptions to the contract he signed for me. I defaulted because I simply couldn’t afford the $500 a month which turned into $700 after I graduated. This is also on top of the $200+ a month the government wanted from me for the federal loans he took out. So, I not only lost my father, but also any and all financial stability. My mother turned away from me and kicked me out of her house now that my father was gone. I was 22 years old, utterly alone and crippling under debt. I had to rely on credit cards to pay my rent since most of my paychecks were going to student loans which only caused me to fall into more debt. I simply didn’t and still don’t make enough to be financially stable, and the result is that my credit score is extremely low because of it. Now, because of this, I will not be able to apply and be accepted to any loans to cover my law school, nor do I want to invite more debt into my life.
I do not want my financial situation brought on by the tragic passing of my father to be the reason I can’t pursue a career I’m passionate about. Being a lawyer should not exclusively be for people who can afford to be one. It should be for anyone who is passionate about making a difference and helping people, regardless of socioeconomic status. I’m passionate about being a representative for people who need help. I want to fight for people’s rights and liberties against any and all discrimination. I want to be a fighter for people who have been wronged or need help. My ultimate career goals are to be an attorney for a nonprofit such as the ACLU and devote my life to fighting for the rights of people, but I need this degree in order to get there. I want to accept my admittance to law school, but I can’t do so until I know I can finance my education.
I humbly ask for any contribution you are willing and able to make. All of the money I receive will go to funding my law school education.
My father suddenly passed away the summer going into my senior year, and I was suddenly in free-fall. Not only was I grieving the loss of my father, but I also was confronted with the reality that he took out significant federal and private loans to fund my education, loans I was not aware of as he took them out in my name without my knowledge or consent. I was immediately contacted by Sallie Mae to pay them on a monthly basis. Apparently, the type of loans he took out required a monthly payment of about $500 to cover the accruing interest alone. I was a full-time student with several part-time jobs that barely covered my cost of living. I had no money to give them and I explained my father had just died. They were cold and unrelenting and said that there were no exceptions to the contract he signed for me. I defaulted because I simply couldn’t afford the $500 a month which turned into $700 after I graduated. This is also on top of the $200+ a month the government wanted from me for the federal loans he took out. So, I not only lost my father, but also any and all financial stability. My mother turned away from me and kicked me out of her house now that my father was gone. I was 22 years old, utterly alone and crippling under debt. I had to rely on credit cards to pay my rent since most of my paychecks were going to student loans which only caused me to fall into more debt. I simply didn’t and still don’t make enough to be financially stable, and the result is that my credit score is extremely low because of it. Now, because of this, I will not be able to apply and be accepted to any loans to cover my law school, nor do I want to invite more debt into my life.
I do not want my financial situation brought on by the tragic passing of my father to be the reason I can’t pursue a career I’m passionate about. Being a lawyer should not exclusively be for people who can afford to be one. It should be for anyone who is passionate about making a difference and helping people, regardless of socioeconomic status. I’m passionate about being a representative for people who need help. I want to fight for people’s rights and liberties against any and all discrimination. I want to be a fighter for people who have been wronged or need help. My ultimate career goals are to be an attorney for a nonprofit such as the ACLU and devote my life to fighting for the rights of people, but I need this degree in order to get there. I want to accept my admittance to law school, but I can’t do so until I know I can finance my education.
I humbly ask for any contribution you are willing and able to make. All of the money I receive will go to funding my law school education.
Organizer
Katie O'Connell
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY