My name is Maria Baptista and I am an immigrant from Venezuela. Before we left, we were getting frequent invasions into our apartment by men with guns, robbing and threatening us. My mother brought me and my three younger siblings to America in 2017 to create a better life for us, and for us to one day pursue higher education. During my senior year of high school, I applied for student aid through FAFSA, and was told by advisors at my high school, college, and FAFSA that I would get the maximum amount of aid once my form was processed. After waiting for a year to hear back I finally learned, three weeks before school will start, that I had been misinformed and am not eligible for any federal student aid, federal loans, or private loans due to my immigration status. I am in America legally with Temporary Protected Status, and applied for Asylum eight years ago, but until I have asylum granted I cannot get any help. My mother is a single mom working three jobs to support her four kids and cannot afford to pay for my college. I am a dedicated student and graduated with high honors, and want nothing more than the opportunity to receive a college education. I have pursued every option available without success, and I don’t know what else to do. I just want the opportunity to get a college education and work in the country I love. Thank you for taking the time to read my story, anything helps and is greatly appreciated.