My name is Dinora Alejandra Peña. Born in El Salvador and raised in Oakland, CA, I am a first-generation college graduate with a bachelor's degree in psychology from San Francisco State University. I am a DACA (dreamer) student pursuing a masters degree in nursing at Samuel Merritt University. I am currently in my last semester of 10 semesters of the family nurse practitioner program at SMU. As a DACA student I unfortunately don't qualify for any federal student aid. I also don't qualify for student loans without a cosigner, which no one in their right mind would sign with me given the hefty tuition at SMU. Nonetheless, God has been good. My parents, both immigrants, have been working as a house cleaner and construction worker and with the grace of God have been abled to pay my tuition for the past 3 years, praise God!. However, the past few months my family has been struggling to pay for my tuition and has placed a great amount of stress over our lives. We do not lose hope that God will provide a way like he always has. I have applied to many scholarships with so much hope and faith. As I look at my Fall 2024 tuition balance of $21,312 I can't help but to ask for help. My family can't seem to find another solution since the past 3 years have caused a significant financial hardship due to my tuition expenses. However, I hope to graduate in December 2024 and please know that any help would help me get there.

Thank you for taking time to read my story. Any help is much appreciated and would mean so much for my family and my career. Thank you and God bless you!