Books and Tuition

Hi!

My name is Cassandra Chabot. I'm 19 years old. I attended and graduated from Noble High School. I am now attending the University of New Hampshire. I graduated from Noble with a 4.11 and have attempted to maintain this academic drive in college. I made dean's list both terms, and ended my freshman year with a 3.67. While the University of New Hampshire is likely not my forever school based on expenses, my goal was always to finish my Sophomore year. At that point, I would know whether or not I was capable of maintaining the price. Evidently, at this moment I am not. Who is to say what my financial situation will look like come 2023. However, I can estimate and reflect on both 2020 and 2021.

Not to begin my story on this note, but truly it does begin here. The end of my freshman year, Raymond Chabot, my father, passed away. I didn't think this would be the end of relationship, and told no one. Noble High wasn't even aware of my home circumstances. And unfortunately, I know many of my peers probably felt the same pressure to remain unbothered by our personal lives. I completed finals week up until I was pulled out of my Health exam for his official passing. Since then, I have lived in a one parent, one income household.

Carmen Chabot is my mother. She is my rock. Above all that she has endured, she attempts to stay strong. She has never asked for help. She's always been the one to help me. And finally, there has come a time where she in unable to fully assist me.

Last year, due to COVID-19, my mom lost her job as a result of budget cuts. Though she recovered quickly with 30 plus years of work experience in the Human Resources world, her current pay just isn't near the salary collected during 2019-2020. And it was with that money that she was able to pay for my first year in full. A gift I literally cannot repay her for. My mother and father both had already put my older sister, Courtney, through 4 years at Colby Sawyer; it wasn't easy then, either. Yet, they did it. But they did it together. In my case, I cannot say the same is possible for my parents.

The University of New Hampshire if offering me $35,000 in aid, leaving me with just over $18,000 in tuition, not including supplies where textbooks average between 50-300 per book, and rent which costs a total of $9,800 for the year. A lump-some of this aid comes from educational scholarships I have received through the University of New Hampshire, and federal loans I have been granted. Unfortunately, none of which is a result of my current state. In fact, my family contribution has gone up nearly $3,000. I have already requested a Special Circumstance review of my current financial aid. Along with this, I have applied for the Dean's Emergency Student Fund which totals to $500 if I am awarded it.

I AM OKAY WITH BEING A POOR COLLEGE STUDENT.

What I am not okay with is not being able to afford the simple necessities I need to succeed.

I work full time currently, and will work two jobs during the school year. And for some reason, I thought this would be enough. But I'm here, and I'm asking for help. I am hopeful that this financial state will not be permanent, but for now, anything helps. I didn't know what to put for a goal, so really, anything helps.

Thank you for reading, from the bottom of my heart.