Help me Graduate College!
The year 2012 has been a very difficult year. It should be a year of celebration, as I start my last year of college to earn my BA in Environmental Planning and Design! Three things are challenging my dreams of accomplishing this major life goal.
One of these challenges is a medical condition I was finally diagnosed with this year called Endometriosis. The second devastation was the news from the financial aid office that I would not receive any funding for my last year (except my work study award of 5,000 paid out over full year in bi-weekly pay from my student job I have held for over 3 years). The third hill to climb that has come this year is the ensuing depression that has hit me in dealing with the first two obstacles.
When I received both of these pieces of news; first the diagnosis and then later the news of no funding for my last year it felt like the wind was knocked out of me. My doctor told me that I have a cyst on my left ovary and they will likely have to remove the ovary. Surgery will cost money, as will the tests, specialists, and follow up care. I will likely never be free from pain, as this condition is not curable. I was starting to deal with this situation when I found out about my financial aid situation.
I am the first person in my immediate family to attend a four year college and earn a BA. I have made my way essentially alone. A lot of students are lucky enough to have personal/family financial support but I have made it this far by financial aid support and working. When I asked friends for suggestions on where to get help, this is the forum that was graciously suggested. My tuition alone for the year will be over 6,000 split between Fall and Spring terms, not counting fees, books, ect. My school estimates my yearly student expense at over 20,000. My Work Study paychecks barely cover my monthly expenses and I am not sure how much my medical bills will be.
Without help from friends, family and altruistic strangers I will not be able to fund my last year and pay medical costs alone. As much as I don’t enjoy admitting it, I can’t do this alone. I need my community to help me!
If you can help with a donation of any amount to get me through surgery and throwing that graduation cap into the sky, I will be eternally grateful. If you cannot donate, please, please share my story and site with friends and family!
RawAndUnfiltered 
September 19th, 2012 at 4:03 pm
May I have your permission to post your funding link on my blog and on my FB page? Hope to donate something when I get paid on Friday.
September 19th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Absolutely! Please do!! Thank you!
September 20th, 2012 at 9:25 am
Hey, I was wondering last night–can you get assistance with some of your medical care from the county health department? I have not been able to afford “regular” insurance for years, but do qualify for assistance via our program here. There are often grants for various things, etc. Also, have you checked out Medicaid? Just a couple of things that occurred to me, which you have probably explored. Got the links posted. Hope it helps.
September 20th, 2012 at 9:38 am
Yes, I have qualified for state health care, which has helped immensely but co-pays still add up fast. Every time I go in for a test, or consult or check up, there is a co-pay. Nearly a hundred this month alone in co-pay costs unfortunately.
September 20th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
Yes, very true, but glad you have qualified.