Beschermde donatie
I am Joss Montano, first generation college student at CUNY Queens College currently an upper Junior with a standing 3.8 GPA.
I live with my 84-year-old grandmother and our dog, and it has always been that way since my mother was deported to Colombia when I was 4 years old, I never met or know of my father.
My grandmother and I live off her retirement check that doesn't surpass $1,000 a month because she didn't start working legally in the U.S. until her 50s, and I currently work part-time.
Currently, to make ends meet, my grandmother cleans houses and does laundry for friends who pay her for the favor.
My issue is that I am ineligible for financial aid because my grandmother does not have my custody therefore I cannot report her as my parent/guardian. My mother has a small business in Colombia but she does not report any income over there and her business is barely self sufficient.
Lastly, I am not allowed to report as an independent due to idiotic rules that FAFSA has in place. I was also ineligible for the Excelsior free tuition because I missed a semester in the past due to inability to pay my first semester tuition, and under their rules I cannot be eligible for free tuition if I missed a semester in the past.
I have been resorting to private loans that have already taken a toll on my credit, I feel like forces have worked against me and this is the culmination, where I am in constant fear I won't be able to finish my studies.
Thankfully, I attend a CUNY and tuition isn't as expensive as some schools I could've gone to, had I not had the responsibility of taking care of my aging grandmother.
I am seeking a goal of $12,000 to pay for my remaining three semesters and to also help alleviate some of the burden of the loans I have taken out.
However, I will be extremely grateful for any amount that this cause gets.
I am extremely passionate about finishing my studies, I have been Dean's List since my first ever semester and am on track to graduating Cum Laude, if I get the opportunity to.
I live with my 84-year-old grandmother and our dog, and it has always been that way since my mother was deported to Colombia when I was 4 years old, I never met or know of my father.
My grandmother and I live off her retirement check that doesn't surpass $1,000 a month because she didn't start working legally in the U.S. until her 50s, and I currently work part-time.
Currently, to make ends meet, my grandmother cleans houses and does laundry for friends who pay her for the favor.
My issue is that I am ineligible for financial aid because my grandmother does not have my custody therefore I cannot report her as my parent/guardian. My mother has a small business in Colombia but she does not report any income over there and her business is barely self sufficient.
Lastly, I am not allowed to report as an independent due to idiotic rules that FAFSA has in place. I was also ineligible for the Excelsior free tuition because I missed a semester in the past due to inability to pay my first semester tuition, and under their rules I cannot be eligible for free tuition if I missed a semester in the past.
I have been resorting to private loans that have already taken a toll on my credit, I feel like forces have worked against me and this is the culmination, where I am in constant fear I won't be able to finish my studies.
Thankfully, I attend a CUNY and tuition isn't as expensive as some schools I could've gone to, had I not had the responsibility of taking care of my aging grandmother.
I am seeking a goal of $12,000 to pay for my remaining three semesters and to also help alleviate some of the burden of the loans I have taken out.
However, I will be extremely grateful for any amount that this cause gets.
I am extremely passionate about finishing my studies, I have been Dean's List since my first ever semester and am on track to graduating Cum Laude, if I get the opportunity to.
Organisator
Joss Montano
Organisator
New York, NY