Help Nyasia continue her journey at Howard.

Hi, I’m Nyasia Ashford, a sophomore psychology major & sociology minor from Newark, NJ. The past two years at Howard University have been an unexpected experience. I most recently had the chance to experience campus life where I was able to join HU ELITE Models while juggling school and a part/time babysitting job.

After completing my first semester in the fall of 2020, I was told that my financial aid had been messed up and delayed for the semester which led to me being unable to register for my spring 2021 semester. Due to this mix up and the amount of time it took to fix it, I was forced to take the spring semester off. I sent several emails to the financial aid department as well as calling everyday attempting to get the hold lifted in order to at least register for classes but I was either ignored or denied. I also wasn't made aware of the hold until the last week of registration. I took that time last spring to focus on my modeling career. I also hosted a boot camp to inspire and teach younger models.

By Fall 2021, I was officially a Howard University student again and I was preparing to finally move on campus. I spent the summer constantly calling and emailing Howard University in attempt to receive housing, which i did not receive until a week before my move in date. After arriving on campus and getting acclimated, it came to my attention that my scholarship had been revoked. As a student on scholarship, you cannot “leave” the university because it breaks the contract. Being that the hold from fall 2020 wasn't lifted and my financial aid wasn't approved until May, I was unable to take classes for the Spring semester which was taken as me leaving the university. I spent the first two months on campus writing appeals and trying to get my scholarship back. It was finally given back at the end of October. Now as we approach the start of the new spring semester, I find myself in the exact position I was a year ago. Except this time, I’m being told there is no more financial aid to offer and I have to come up with the money by January 21st, a deadline I didn’t receive until the absolute last minute. As I sit here writing this, I’m exhausted from all the efforts of trying to find loans or scholarships and constantly being denied.

The current balance on my student account is $7,238.20. This fundraiser would help me continue my journey at Howard University and make it easier for me to focus solely on my schoolwork without the burden of the finances . All donations would be used for tuition alone. I appreciate all shares and donations, and I thank you for your time.