Unexpected Tuition Balance
Donation protected
As many of you know, I started my freshman year of college in New York this past fall. I never had a college fund and my family has gone through hell these past couple years with both my parents trying to find stable employment and also dealing with major health concerns, I knew they would not be able to help me as much as they would like. Through out high school I knew that if I wanted to go to college, I needed to rack up as many scholarships as I could. I worked through high school at a restaurant while I ran track and field, took AP and dual credit courses, was apart of a volunteer mentorship program, and kept up a 3.9 GPA. Because of these accomplishments, I was blessed with the opportunity to be recruited for track and field on a partial athletic scholarship and a partial academic scholarship to a school in New York City. Proud of my accomplishments, I was excited to start fresh in a new place and start working to my dream of becoming a sports physician with a specialty in orthopedic surgery. Between my scholarships, I expected to pay very little in tuition based off of previous calculation from prior years; In fact, after my first year I would receive in-state tuition as well as qualify for New York state grants which will make my out of pocket costs for future years 0. I found out just a few weeks ago that my remaining balance for the year is $6,000 ($3,000 per semester) and if I do not pay half of it by the end of November, I will not be allowed to register for my spring classes, which means I can not participate in track and field in the spring and I will loose my athletic scholarship that covers my housing. If the balance is not paid I will have to withdraw from the school and head home and if I don't pay the full balance by the end of next semester, I will not be able to register for next year. I have sent numerous emails to multiple personnel on campus including financial aid, housing, bursar, and the bookkeeper; they have done everything they can to help me. Because I just opened up a credit line 3 months ago and my parents both have poor credit from their situation, I have been denied by every student loan company multiple times each. I have expended my resources and this is my last option. Those of you who know me know that I am not one to ever ask for help, but I have no other option if I want to stay in school. I know we are in a pandemic and money is tight for everyone right now, just like it is for me, so I would be beyond grateful to receive anything you are able to give as well as understanding if you can't.
Organizer
Samuel Pope
Organizer
Staten Island, NY