Help Granny Study Abroad

I am proud to have been selected to study at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, the only thing standing between me and studying in New Zealand – with only one semester left to earn my Bachelor’s Degree is a few thousand dollars – every bit helps. Thank you so much for your generosity from a young at heart grandmother - Sarah

Being a non-traditional student, I do not have the financial support that many traditional students typically have. I have struggled financially throughout my life and am working towards my Bachelor’s Degree in order to secure employment that will be both fulfilling and allow me to have a future which is stable financially.

I quit high school, earned my GED, and by the time I was twenty-seven years old I had three young children and another on the way. my husband Tim was killed in a horrific accident. I was devastated and left to raise three young children on my own ages 18 months to six years, on my own. Our youngest child was born that February. As often happens to young widows, friends did not know how to provide emotional support and they backed away, and the children’s grandparents were unable to support us financially. I learned to grieve and survive on my own.

I stayed home to raise my children; in my grief, I could not bear to leave them to strangers in daycare or preschool. I learned to manage my stress and anxiety, and to stand up for my children. It turned out that our two youngest sons had special needs. I advocated for them in order to ensure that the school system implemented their Individual Education Plans so that they would be able to learn and become independent, productive members of society.

What I gave up in financial security was worth the time I was able to devote to our children and given the same circumstances I would gladly make the same choices again. However, it was and continues to be a difficult financial road. After my home was lost in a fire due to an electrical short in my neighbor’s apartment, I filed for bankruptcy in 2001.

It has been a dream of mine to leave this world, as much as I am capable, in a better state than it was when I entered it. I strongly believe that I have found my niche in Environmental Sociology and would love an opportunity to be the best that I am capable of being in that field.

These are the deadlines that I'm working with:

University of Waikato - February 2014 Semester

Initial Payment $400.00 Due by 08 Nov 2013
Second Payment $5,000.00 Due by 15 Dec 2013
Final Program Fee Payment $8,750.00 Due by 15 Jan 2014

Thank you for your consideration...