Boost Melody's Pursuit of Higher Education

I am Melody Kent. The following photo shows my two perceptive, spunky, loving sons and me. I am their sole provider. They know me well and are intuitive about when I am juggling stressors. These boys are all the motivation I need to continue pursuing a life that aligns with my purpose and provides a stable future for them, even if that means practicing vulnerability by asking the public for help.

In recent years, I have been chipping away at finally earning my degree after a decade of hard lessons learned. I am 8 credits away from graduating with my BA in Industrial Organizational Psychology with plans to enroll in the Master's program for Public Administration.

Outside of education, I work 6 days a week, ensure my kids arrive on time for extracurricular activities, and regularly attend and serve as much as I am able at my church. We also enjoy packing a picnic lunch and heading down to the public park and pool for most of our summer days. Additionally, we spend Sunday evenings with extended family for dinner and quality bonding time.

My income is barely enough to cover our bills and other necessary items like gas, supplements, household items, and clothes/shoes/equipment for my growing boys. I already employ as much aid for housing and food as I am allowed.

Because I have been in and out of university over the years, I have exhausted my federal funding for an undergraduate program. I now have an outstanding tuition balance of $1,364 that I have to resolve before reentry for my final Capstone Project.

I am currently pursuing alternative credits for the remaining two electives. I pray that my submissions will be accepted. This process is free, but not guaranteed. In the case that they are denied, I would like to pursue alternative credits through Sophia.org for the remaining elective courses, but that costs $99/month. I am confident that I would be able to knock both out within the first month of the subscription, but that is just another chunk of money that I do not have right now.

I set the goal for $5,000. If somehow I receive donations that meet or exceed the goal, the remaining $3,537(+) would be used for the tuition for my graduate program. The total for the program will cost roughly $22,000. I have applied to four internal scholarships already, and plan to apply for more externally and possibly grants. I would like to avoid any more loans as much as possible, but if I have to take more out, I wish to minimize the required amount.

I hope you will consider helping me advance my family's status. To an individual who has lived in poverty for the entirety of my time on Earth, your contribution would be more than a donation. It would serve as a reinforcement for why I wish to pursue Public Administration.

Thank you!