Life after Encephalitis - Tuition for Laura Wilson

I will be attending Graduate School with the intent to earn a Masters of Accountancy and fully prepare to pass the CPA exam while enrolled as a Graduate Student at Scranton University. In 2006, I left a career as a teacher of Mathematics to pursue other interests. At that time I also began working as an accountant while I studied Vocal Performance. Over the next 10 years I continued to work as an accountant in progressively advancing roles from assistant to controller.  In 2016, while working in mid-town Manhattan, I contracted Epstein-Barr, which complicated to cause Viral Encephalitis. Within a matter of days I lost the ability to walk, talk, or even use my hands. After months of rehabilitation, I regained the ability to walk, talk, etc. and moved to my hometown of Binghamton, NY to continue my recovery.  While home, I took time to reflect on my accounting career and knew that I had advanced as far as I could on my own without formal study and training.  This past fall semester 2018, I enrolled in beginning accounting and business coursework and earned 18 credits with a perfect 4.0 semester GPA. I proved to myself that I was ready to handle full-time study while I continued to recover from the issues caused by Encephalitis and recurrent Epstein-Barr.  I am confident that I will soon become physically prepared to re-enter the workforce and currently seek to further my education that I may be fully prepared to continue work as an accountant in a similar position in the area around my hometown.

What have I done on my own to finance my education?
1) I cashed in my 401k
2) I sold my piano
3) My husband has returned to work from being on disability.  
4) I have arranged to work 8-10 hours a week within a  CPA firm as an internship while I work toward qualifying for my CPA license and I am excited about that opportunity.  
5) I am not eligible for educational loans or governmental grants.
6) I continue to seek Scholarship Opportunities.

The Cost Details are:

Expected Tuition @ The University of Scranton:
45 credits @ $895 per credit
Books: $200-$300 per class (15 classes)
Technology Fees: TBD
Other University Fees: TBD

This will not be due all at once, but in 8 week intervals of approximately $6000.  The first payment will be due by the end of February 2019.

This program can be completed in 1.5 years, provided funding is available, vs. 2.5 years at Binghamton University. for a similar overall cost.


Thank you for your careful consideration and generosity.