Howdy! My name is Katie Velazquez and I'm a rising senior at Texas A&M University.

One of my college dreams was to go on a study abroad- I've been dreaming of doing one ever since junior year of highschool.

I've been to countless Education Abroad tabling events during my time at A&M. All the pamphlets, flyers, and personnel always said it was an amazing experience and that it was affordable for everyone- that there's countless scholarships. For two years, that's all I would hear about Education Abroad. Yes, they would tell me about the different types of Education Abroads and how to apply but that's about it.

I'm a first generation student from a very low and single income family. Though this was the case, when I heard about a study abroad opportunity for summer 2025 to my top dream destination, Australia, I applied. I applied at the beginning of the school year, August 2024, knowing that I would have to start applying for scholarships and that's what I did.

I applyed to scholarships and got all the paperwork and files in order. I heard absolutely nothing from he organizers or staff that was overseeing this program. I had to reach out to a faculty member set to be a chaperone for this program with any questions I had.

It wasn't until January of 2025 when I got an email regarding any news about this program. It informed me of the very first meeting where I would finally be able to meet with the advisor, faculty, and other students that are planned to partake in this opportunity.

In the meeting, I was informed for the first time ever that I would have to pay, in one lump sum, the entire program fee within two weeks time. I was devastated- I have applied to many scholarships but all of them as just recently closed and would probably not get back to me in time. And if that wasn't already a predicament, when I got home from the meeting, I did a bit of research and found that any scholarships or financial aid I did get would not be paid out to me until 10 days before the start of the program- so at the beginning of May.

Never was I told that I would have to pay months in advance for a study abroad. (I am well aware that it's better to buy plane tickets in advance but i assumes that wouldn't be excessively expensive, though I could've been wrong since I've never been on one). I've talked to a few advisors and faculty prior to this meeting as I was getting my papers in order and never was I told this. I felt so blind sided and, frrankly, ripped off. I knew that me and my family would never be able to scrape together that amount of money without cutting out essentials and my mother only confirmed it when I called her right after the meeting in tears.

I know some of you may find my predicament rather obvious, but, I am a first generation who up to this point, has done something like this before. I truly believed I had done all the proper research, preparations, and applications for this opportunity.

Me and my mother decided it was best to withdraw from the program as it would be near impossible to pay the fee on time. Though I'm no longer going, the school has charged me with practically the entire fee on my student account because I withdrew after non-refundable reservations were made in my name in preparation for my stay in Australia.

Not only did this whole order make me feel stupid for even trying but also guilty over the fact that now my family has yet another financial burden to deal with when we are already barely scraping by. I was also informed that I won't be able to continue my education at Texas A&M University come Spring of 2026(the semester I'm projected to graduate) if this bill is not paid in full by spring registration (around mid October)

I know it's a lot to ask but I ask that, if you have the means, please consider helping out me and my family. I really would appreciate any help I can get in paying off this debt. I would be forever grateful ❤️

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story