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The Backstory:
In the past three years, I have been able to survive hundreds of miles away from home (Boston, MA) with the support of financial aid. After Howard was embezzled for a million dollars and was audited, my overall financial aid package for the 2018-2019 academic year declined significantly. It went from receiving a refund check of approximately 3,000 dollars to paying the University 3,000 out of pocket. 1,500 dollars for the fall semester, and 1,500 dollars for the spring semester. I was not made aware of the change until three weeks after the fall semester began. That was two months after moving into an apartment closer to school, which I intended to use my refund check to pay for. I made the decision to move closer to school, considering the car trouble I was having from commuting a total of three hours to and from school my Sophomore year. As a result of the change in my financial aid award package, I had to surrender my keys back to the apartment because I could no longer afford a roof over my head, car insurance, or my car note. I have already made the effort to reach out to the few family members I am still in contact with, and they did the best they could in helping me in my situation. Unfortunately, those efforts were not enough. My car is my only form of transportation to and from work and school. I tried taking Ubers and Lyfts, but it became too expensive because I had to put all of my liquid income toward my tuition. Eventually, I got pulled over without insurance and accrued 2,000 dollars in flag fees owed to the state of MD. I now work three jobs and have been working night and day just to catch up with my tuition, rent, car note, and car insurance. For me to renew my registration, all of these fees need to be paid first. If I could fix everything on my own I would, but I can't. I really just want to stay in school and graduate.
The Costs:
Insurance Compliance fee: $500
Administrative Flag Fee: $500
Fine: $1,000
Total: $2,000
How you can help:
If you have read this far, I really appreciate it. Being in school full-time, and working three part-time jobs is all I can really withstand at the moment. Any donation will help but is not mandatory. If you cannot donate, please take the time to spread the word.
In the past three years, I have been able to survive hundreds of miles away from home (Boston, MA) with the support of financial aid. After Howard was embezzled for a million dollars and was audited, my overall financial aid package for the 2018-2019 academic year declined significantly. It went from receiving a refund check of approximately 3,000 dollars to paying the University 3,000 out of pocket. 1,500 dollars for the fall semester, and 1,500 dollars for the spring semester. I was not made aware of the change until three weeks after the fall semester began. That was two months after moving into an apartment closer to school, which I intended to use my refund check to pay for. I made the decision to move closer to school, considering the car trouble I was having from commuting a total of three hours to and from school my Sophomore year. As a result of the change in my financial aid award package, I had to surrender my keys back to the apartment because I could no longer afford a roof over my head, car insurance, or my car note. I have already made the effort to reach out to the few family members I am still in contact with, and they did the best they could in helping me in my situation. Unfortunately, those efforts were not enough. My car is my only form of transportation to and from work and school. I tried taking Ubers and Lyfts, but it became too expensive because I had to put all of my liquid income toward my tuition. Eventually, I got pulled over without insurance and accrued 2,000 dollars in flag fees owed to the state of MD. I now work three jobs and have been working night and day just to catch up with my tuition, rent, car note, and car insurance. For me to renew my registration, all of these fees need to be paid first. If I could fix everything on my own I would, but I can't. I really just want to stay in school and graduate.
The Costs:
Insurance Compliance fee: $500
Administrative Flag Fee: $500
Fine: $1,000
Total: $2,000
How you can help:
If you have read this far, I really appreciate it. Being in school full-time, and working three part-time jobs is all I can really withstand at the moment. Any donation will help but is not mandatory. If you cannot donate, please take the time to spread the word.