Support Chika's Final Steps to Graduation

Chika Achike is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hello friends and family. Many of you have supported my family and I with love and words of encouragement the past few years. Very few of you know the details of my personal life, but I am proud to share this part of my journey with you all in hopes of reaching my ultimate goal of graduating from Cal State East Bay with my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology this upcoming May 2025.

The Beginning

I will start with the beginning of my journey. I started at Chabot College in 2008. After struggling through my high school years, I was pleasantly surprised to see how much I LOVED the college experience. From the interesting classes to supportive staff, programs and professors, I had a complete shift in my energy and attitude towards my education when I started college.

After my first year of college, at the age of 19, I became a mom to my now 14-year-old daughter. With the support of my family, I was able to balance work, school and becoming a new mom. I loved working, I loved being a mother and I loved college! Of course, juggling all these life changes - adulting! - was a challenge. Slowly but surely, I did finally achieve an Associate of Arts Degree and Transfer to Cal State East Bay in May of 2017! I was so excited to continue my journey and get another step closer to my goal of obtaining my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

Half Way There!

By the time I graduated and transferred out of Chabot College, I had my 2-year-old twin boys, Zeek & Zay and Aurielle in tow. They were more motivation for me to finish as I continued balancing work, school and mom life. Following my 2-year path at CSUEB to complete my degree, the time finally came to graduate in May 2019. I applied for graduation, completed all requirements and was approved to walk the stage. I was expected to receive my degree after completing my Spring Semester and just 2 more courses over that summer.

The Final Stretch

Unfortunately, despite trying my hardest to stay on track and keep my educational goals a priority, I found myself devastated and overwhelmed, facing litigation abuse in the family court system just before walking the stage in May 2019. It was at this moment that my top priority became responding to and resolving those issues. I walked the stage with hopes of pushing through as planned. But I was soon faced with reality.

After dropping and failing out of my final classes from Spring and Summer 2019 I was disqualified from CSUEB. At this time, I was left with only 4 classes to complete my degree. Being disqualified meant that I could not return until I paid out of pocket for 2 classes, in order to raise my GPA and become eligible again for re-admittance. I shifted my attention to finding the best job I could at the time, in order to reach the financial stability I would need to eventually pay for those classes on my own.

The next 2 years I was consumed with constant court filings and court dates, often too anxious and depressed to focus at work, let alone any school work.

The Comeback

After things settled in 2021, I began to pick up the pieces, prioritizing becoming financially stable and regaining my mental health. In January of this year, with the support of my family and utilizing a payment plan, I was able to pay out of pocket for the 2 classes I needed to reinstate into CSUEB. While working full time and balancing motherhood, I took 1 class in Spring 2024 and 1 class over summer of 2024, receiving an 'A' and a 'B'.

I was excited to apply for readmission and was even more elated to find that I was accepted. I have since met with academic counselors and department of psychology to confirm that I have 2 more courses to complete and am on track to graduate May 2025. I have applied for graduation and been accepted!

I am currently working full time and enrolled in 1 class for Fall. I plan to take the final class in January of 2025. While I do qualify for some financial aid, I still fall short about $1,800 for this semester and will need to cover the same for my final semester in January.

I also recently learned that if I do not pay my current balance of $1,831 by my next registration date of October 28th 2024, I will not be able to enroll in my class for January until it is paid.

I am still working full time, but am not making enough to cover the tuition. I am utilizing all resources that I am eligible for and have continued to apply for scholarships.

The Need

I couldn't have gotten this far without the help from my family. They have always worked together to support me in a variety of ways. At this point I have exhausted my own financial resources and I am making this Go Fund Me in an effort to cover my class for this semester. It is urgent that I am able to pay this current semesters balance of $1,831 before my next registration date on October 28th, to ensure that I get into the last class I need to graduate. I have talked with the financial aid department and the admissions office to confirm what is needed.

No amount is too small and I thank everyone who considers helping and passes this along. I will also post updates as I make progress.

(Photos on this page are from my 2019 Grad ceremony and the 2017 Grad/Transfer ceremony)

Thank You!

Chika