Opportunity to study music at Belmont University

Hi, my name is Caitlin Mae, and I am a twenty-year old singer/songwriter from South Wales. I attended school in my hometown until I was 15 years old when my parents removed me due to a "sustained campaign of bullying" against me (The words of my Headteacher)

Initially, I felt heartbroken and did not believe I could achieve the expected examination results because my old school told me they would not assist me with tutors. Still, I decided to study as hard as possible and sat my exams at an external centre after homeschooling myself for only three months. I was thrilled to receive good grades in all the subjects and decided to continue with my A Levels, again via homeschooling. Sadly, Covid-19 put an end to this as no organisation could offer me a predicted grade when the examinations were stopped due to the pandemic. So, feeling let down by the UK's education system, I believed I had to abandon my dream of attending University.

After the Pandemic, I was fortunate to tour Nashville, where I met several people involved in the music industry who encouraged me to apply to one of the universities right in the middle of Music City. I filled in the application form and paid a company to transcribe my GCSE grades to the US equivalent. I was pleased when I found out that my results gave me the Grade Point Average I needed to apply to Belmont University. I was accepted as a student to start in the Fall of 2023. When I started looking for funding to assist me with the $62,000 fees per year, I realised that I was not eligible for any of the US scholarships as a UK citizen. Neither do there seem to be any funds available in the UK to help me further my studies in the USA. My dream of attending University is slipping away from me. I have decided to try my hardest to raise funds in time for me to enrol. I plan to carry out several activities, including busking, gigging, vocal coaching and video messages. As a singer/songwriter, I feel my future lies in Nashville, where there are many opportunities for me to perform and pitch my songs to top publishing executives, which could offer the key to me continuing my studies there. If I successfully raise funds, all the money will be applied to my tuition costs. I would be so grateful for any help that can be offered to fulfil my dream and I thank you in advance for taking the time to read my story.