Resilience & Ambition: Cay's Commitment to Higher Education

Dear All,

Disclaimer: This was not my default, in fact I was quite embarrassed to make this as I personally do not like asking for help. But I value and care about my education and will not let my ego ruin that for me and so I swallowed my pride and went ahead and made this.

I sincerely appreciate the time you are taking to read this.

As a first-generation college student attending the University of Rhode Island, I have worked tirelessly to pursue my education despite significant financial challenges. While I receive financial aid and institutional support, I still fall short in covering the remaining balance of my tuition.

I am enrolled full-time and have had to adjust my academic path due to financial constraints, ensuring that I can balance coursework with employment. I work five days a week, often leaving little time to complete assignments until the day they are due or between classes. Additionally, I do not have personal transportation and rely on public transit, which incurs substantial costs. Living on campus is a necessity, but increasing housing and meal plan expenses have added to my financial burden.

I am currently studying Criminal Justice, Gender and Women’s Studies, and Political Science, with aspirations of attending law school in the near future to focus on Civil Law.

During summer and winter breaks, I work approximately 30 hours per week and take advantage of my Pell Grant eligibility by enrolling in additional courses to maintain academic progress. While home, I also contribute to household expenses, including groceries, utilities, and transportation costs. My primary mode of transport is the bus, which amounts to about $70 per month—an expense that becomes increasingly difficult to afford when my earnings are primarily directed toward tuition.

My mother, who is legally disabled and unable to work, receives limited financial assistance to support herself, my younger siblings, and me. Given these circumstances, I cannot rely on her to cover my tuition expenses. As soon as my tuition bill is posted, I allocate each paycheck toward my school account to minimize outstanding debt. However, due to rising costs and unforeseen financial challenges, I am struggling to meet my payment obligations. This situation places me at risk of incurring late fees and potentially being unable to register for future classes.

I am doing everything in my power to sustain my education and financial responsibilities, but I am reaching out in the hopes of finding additional support to help ease this burden. Any guidance or assistance would be deeply appreciated.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best,

Cadence Belisle