Hi,

My name is Grace and I'm studying mechanical engineering at Auburn University. You may know me already, or you may not, so here are a few things about me. I'm an active member of both my community and my school. I am the Jr. Program Delivery Partner for FIRSTⓇ Tech Challenge in AL, one of the youngest to hold the position ever internationally. I am the philanthropy chair for my sorority Alpha Omega Epsilon, and I am the notebook manager for my robotics team. I also helped start and coach a middle school robotics team, and this year I am helping to build an elementary team as well. I also founded the FIRST Alumni program at Auburn. I have a 3.5 GPA and I'm about to start my junior year of college. The past 2 summers, I have worked for Nutty Scientists of Rocket City as a STEM instructor, helping to bring complex science and engineering concepts to hands-on lessons that kids can understand. I dream of becoming an engineer who works on the rovers we send to space and being a speaker for women in STEM. I also hope to eventually start a program to help students in similar situations to the one I am currently in.

I recently found out that my parents can no longer get the Parent Plus loan(due to credit scores, not making too much). This was paying for my tuition, housing, and groceries, and I now have to find a way to pay for all of that, and I am running out of time. Auburn estimates that a student will spend $32,000 a year, and I have 3(this year, plus 2(finishing as a super senior)) years left, longer if I can only afford to do part-time schooling. I am hoping to raise any money at all to help me stay in school, but with a goal of $30,000 a year to allow me to focus on my degree and all of the activities I so love doing.

On top of schooling and activities, I have multiple disabilities that require rest and care. I have postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome(POTS), chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS), inappropriate sinus tachycardia(IST), and Raynaud's syndrome. I am also actively being tested for autoimmune disorders and other possible comorbidities to POTS, along with a plan for being tested for endometriosis at the end of the year. With these disabilities come even more costs than others, and I have been training a service dog for a few months now to help me manage these issues.

With all that said, you’re probably thinking there can be nothing else, but on top of all of this, my cat Clover had a medical emergency(crystals in his kidneys and a urinary blockage) this summer, in which he ended up in the hospital for 5 days, costing over $6000. He ended up in kidney failure, and we weren’t able to save him. Most of this cost was taken out in loans and still needs to be paid off.

Every donation helps; even $5 makes a difference. With how the economy is right now, I know a lot of people are struggling, so please only help if you can. I greatly appreciate all the help I get, even if you just share this to get the word out. Thank you all.