My name is Rachel Irvin, and I am the aunt of Zyni Tyus. Zyni graduated from high school with honors in 2024 and was accepted into Bethune-Cookman University with a $10,000 scholarship. Even with the scholarship, she was still required to pay $200 a month toward her tuition, which she managed throughout her freshman year.

After completing her first year, Zyni was accepted into her dream school, Florida A&M University. She was so excited to take this next step and moved into her dorm in August. Unfortunately, in September she found out she had a remaining balance of $6,000 due before the end of her first semester.

Her mother, my sister, has paid $4,000 so far, but she recently had to undergo emergency surgery in October and is unable to return to her part-time job at Amazon. This has left the family struggling to cover the remaining balance.

Zyni reached out to her paternal grandparents for help, and at first they agreed to assist. However, they later changed their minds after her father, who does not support her education, told her she was “dumb” for going to college and that she would never amount to anything.

Despite these hurtful words and the financial challenges, Zyni refuses to give up. She has worked hard to stay focused and is determined to continue her education at FAMU.

We are asking for support to help cover the remaining tuition balance so that Zyni can stay enrolled and continue chasing her dream of earning a college degree. Any amount, big or small, would make a huge difference and mean the world to her and our family.

Thank you for taking the time to read her story and for supporting Zyni’s education and future..