Hi, my name is Ja’Shaun and I’m 17 years old. This fall, I’ve been accepted to East Carolina University—something I’ve worked incredibly hard for. But right now, I’m facing a $5,000 gap that could keep me from starting my first semester. I’m asking for help because my family simply doesn’t have the resources to bridge that gap, and I’ve exhausted every option available to me as a minor with no credit or loan eligibility.

I’ve lived with chronic health conditions—Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH)—that affect my body every single day. Navigating high school with those challenges taught me resilience, focus, and how to advocate for myself. It also meant constant medical appointments, medications, and lifestyle adjustments that placed a heavy financial strain on my family.

We’ve always prioritized my health and education, but the reality is: our resources are stretched thin. Between bills, medical expenses, and day-to-day costs, there’s nothing extra left to cover my college funding gap. That’s why I’m here—hoping that this community, and people who believe in education and equity, might help me take this next step.

Your support will go directly toward tuition and required expenses. Even a small donation helps me move closer to the education I’ve fought so hard for—where I can study, grow, and one day give back to others facing obstacles like mine.

If you can’t donate, sharing this fundraiser means the world. Thank you for believing in me.