Hello! My name is Jamie Peterson. I am looking for help with paying for my graduate school at the Teachers College of Columbia University!

Most of my education was spent at the Jersey Shore Free School (A Sudbury School), which is an alternative education model that believes students inhabit the agency to learn how to learn on their own. Throughout my twelve years at JSFS, I spent my time thinking, inventing, and learning in many ways! With no traditional transcript or grades of any kind, I dual-enrolled at Brookdale Community College where I got my first experience with transitional education. There, I got straight As, showing that the Sudbury model was successful! From there, I applied to the undergrad institution, Eckerd College, where I got accepted with an $80,000 scholarship. With financial help and support, I was able to attend Eckerd. I am currently finishing my last year at Eckerd with a 3.87 GPA. 

This year, I applied to the Spirituality Mind Body Institute at Teachers College Columbia University, where I intend to further my education around wellness work, eventually becoming a mental health counselor. Today I found out I was accepted into the program. I have not been able to acquire many funds to pay for both my tuition and my living expenses up until this point because I have spent most of my time on my studies. I will work as hard as I can to support myself through this endeavor, but I could certainly use some help!