Hey yall! My name is Jaylen Sanders. I am currently a graduating senior psychology major originally from Lansing, Michigan. I am also a leader of an aftercare elementary school math program under a nonprofit organization, Raising a Village. My ultimate goal is to become a school counselor and musician.

Since 2020, I have been an undergraduate student at Howard University. To be honest, it hasn’t been easy in the slightest. My journey has been one of many challenges, setbacks, and trauma that’s too much to even begin to explain. Despite all that I’ve been through since being here, from assault to nearly dropping out, I’ve stayed strong and finally made it to the finish line. For once, I believed the perseverance had paid off.

A week before my last official day of class, however, me and my family have been hit with an unimaginable financial aid burden, as a parent PLUS loan that was originally approved for us back in August has now been cancelled 8 months later. This loan would’ve covered my remaining balance; without the loan, we are left owing over $57,000 to the university in order for me to graduate.

I am a first generation college student, with only a single mother supporting me back home. For my mom, brother, sister, and 5 year old niece to see me walk across the stage after all I’ve been through to get here would be a dream come true. As a family, we’ve been through so much already. My mom hasn’t even been able to work in a year due to medical leave. This not only means the world to me, but to the people I love the most who want me to succeed. I’ve worked hard through every obstacle, and to have my dreams in jeopardy of being ripped away from me is causing me extreme mental distress.

To raise this money and obtain my bachelor’s degree will put me in a position to continue my work in the education system and help young kids achieve their dreams as well. This is a big ask, and it has taken everything in me to put my pride aside and ask for this, but I need more help than ever. If you can donate anything, or even share and repost everywhere, it would mean the world to me and then some!

Thank you for hearing my story.