Warm Welcome Everyone,

Life has felt really heavy lately, and I don’t know where to turn. I was supposed to start a new job, but I was denied the opportunity because I couldn’t commit to the full term due to my upcoming RL (Resident Leader) position. That role was supposed to provide housing for my senior year , a huge relief after everything I’ve been through but I lost that too. I’m still trying to catch up from last semester, and with my mom struggling to manage bills, we’re stretched too thin.

Loan options are out of reach, and asking for help like this is something I never imagined I’d have to do. It’s humbling. It’s hard. But it’s something I’m willing to do to finish out my education the best way I can — despite the inflation, stress, and other challenges I was already facing. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it if it helps me reach my goal.

On top of that, my car was taken and is now sitting in impound with fees in the thousands. That car was my only way to get to work and earn money — and with every day that passes, the fees grow. I’m not asking for help with the car — I just want to give a full picture of what I’ve been facing while trying to balance real life and stay on track academically.

I’ve been dedicated to the game since I came on this earth. Basketball was my first love, and I gave everything to it — leading to top 3 every day on PSAL. But everything changed right before my senior year of high school when I was just six points away from my 1,000-point milestone. One more game was all I needed, and it was ripped away from me. I thought that would be the hardest thing I’d face. Then I ended up 12 hours from home at the University of Louisville — where I was racially profiled and pushed to the edge emotionally. Still, I kept going.

That journey eventually led me to Norfolk State University, where I finally felt love, purpose, and like I truly belonged. I’ve been here for four years now, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I’ve tried scholarships — none have gotten back to me. I’ve been paying $2,680 a month for the last three years, with my first year being the only time I received a loan. Now, I’m expected to pay $3,500 a month just to stay enrolled and housed — and I don’t know how I’ll manage it.

This is my senior year. I’m so close to finishing, and I’ve made it my mission to walk across that stage with my head held high and my faith bigger than my fears. I want to break generational cycles, to make my family proud, and to prove that no matter how many times life knocks you down, you can still rise.

I currently have a 3.5 GPA and have never earned less than a B throughout all my years of schooling. I promise that if given this opportunity, I’ll stay dedicated to my mission and continue striving to reach — or exceed that GPA.

If you’ve read this far — thank you. Any support, whether it’s emotional, financial, or just a simple share, a dollar, even 50 cents, means more than I can ever express. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much!

— Jasmine R.