Determined Struggling Senior

Hi, my name is Angelina Codagen. I am a senior at UMass with only a couple of months remaining till I graduate.

Since my freshman year I’ve been on need based financial aid. However as each year, inflation rises the aid decreases. UMass admits a constant influx of needy students. My student account increases every year.

At this point in time my account is almost $8000 deficient. I have 2 jobs currently: 1 in food service and another in retail.

I work almost 35 hours a week while shuffling a hefty schedule of 5 classes totaling about 30 hours a week not including outside school commitments.

Realistically, the course load I have taken over the years would have resulted in another year at UMass. But I’ve been working hard to finish early as there is no way my family and I can afford another semester at UMass.

I’ve almost completed a double major and a minor in statistics.

Currently what I make per week is only enough to cover rent and necessities and as much as I would like to be contributing to my student account, I’ve realized there is almost no way to pay back the debt at this point.

I am currently supporting my mother and my brother who is a 9th grader with weekly grocery money.

If I do not settle my student account soon, I will not only not graduate but will probably be kicked out of school.

I really want to graduate and join a full time job so I can financially support my brother more fully and make sure he does not suffer through school because of money like I did, but instead has a fun and carefree experience like most students afford.

I also promise to pay it forward. I am a huge believer in karma; I really want to contribute to the better of the world.