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Hiya :)
I’m Laché Francois *for those who may not know :)* A 19-year-old college student who just completed her first year at Long Island University (Brooklyn), enrolled in the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports, and Entertainment. Before committing to LIU, I was awarded the HOPE Scholarship, an academic-based grant program that was marketed as a full ride.
I had other full-ride offers on the table, but I chose LIU because it was the best fit for my major, located in-state so I could remain close to my family, and seemed to offer the same financial support. At the time, it felt like the perfect opportunity. Without this scholarship, attending university (or even college) wouldn’t have been possible due to my family’s situation. I was told this scholarship would lift that burden so that I could pursue my education, focus on my craft, and would be graduating “debt-free”.
But that hasn’t turned out to be the case.
Many students, myself included, are now caught in the middle of a scandal surrounding the HOPE Scholarship at LIU. What was promised as a full scholarship has left large gaps in coverage, especially when it comes to undisclosed uncovered fees. Communication has been vague and misleading, and we were not made aware of the true cost until after we had committed. Students and families have been speaking out, and the story has reached major news platforms and gone viral on social media, yet no action has been taken by the school or the Roc Nation program. **Articles and reports on the matter are linked at the end of this message.**
As it stands, I am unable to register for my Fall 2025 classes due to an outstanding balance that my family and I simply cannot afford. If this remains the case, I will not be able to continue in the fall and will be forced to withdraw.
This very frustrating, blindsiding, and neglectful situation aside, I still believe LIU was the right decision for me. I love the community. I love the Roc Nation program. And my experience so far has been nothing short of transformational. I’ve made the absolute most of my freshman year, maxing out my credits each semester, soaking up every opportunity, and building a strong foundation.
I finished my freshman year on the dean's list with a 3.9 GPA, was elected freshman representative of the Caribbean Student Association, was selected for one of the university’s most exclusive ensembles, and was even awarded a solo performance in our end-of-year show, an honor for a first-year student. I've already established a positive name and reputation among faculty and peers, and I've had the opportunity to network and connect with so many fruitful people and was honored to work with incredibly talented curators. I've grown immensely, both artistically and personally, and to me, it was only the beginning, a sneak peek of all I’m capable of accomplishing here. My situation deeply worries me; I’m not ready for my time at LIU to end, not like this. There’s still so much more I want and intend to learn, to create, to share, to contribute, and to become.
And here’s where community comes in :)
Growing up, I often heard the phrase, "It takes a village." The older I get, the more truth I find in those words as I witness and pour into community myself. Behind every dream realized is a community that helped make it happen. Life isn’t always easy, and there are bound to be obstacles and hardships, some that may seem impossible in foresight, but in times like those, like these, I must remind myself that I am not alone. Offering myself is easy, but asking for support can sometimes be difficult. But I know my struggles don’t have to be mine alone; there are people, family, friends, and even strangers who care, who believe, and who would love to help.
So, thank you for being a part of my village. Whether you support through encouragement and support, contributions, or simply sharing this message, you’re helping my goals and future accomplishments become that much more tangible and standing as proof that with community and loving people in your corner, anything is possible. Thank you for reading and hearing my story :) Any and all support will be very deeply appreciated more than you could fathom. And you can find peace in the tree you’re watering because I promise (pinky promise, cross my heart and hope to live) to dedicate myself and my craft to pouring back into the community, watering other plants, sharing my fruits, and nurturing the village that helped nurture me :)
With oh so much love,
Laché ❤︎
Sb- **This goal is only half of what I would need to complete all 4 years, accounting for just my freshman (completed) and sophomore (upcoming.. hopefully) years.**
(For more information and details on this scandal, feel free to check out these sites below covering the matter)
Organizer
Lache Francois
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY