Help Paying for the Last Stretch of College

Hello, My name is Kiera Anderson and I am so appreciative of you considering my cause! I'm extremely grateful. Let me start by saying I have wanted to attend the University of Delaware since I was a junior in High School and I am so happy that I was able to attend this amazing university I have grown to love. This past semester was my first at UD, and I can say I am very happy with how that semester went. I love my majors' department and professors, but I have unfortunately hit a roadblock when it comes to my financial situation.

My parents have never been supportive of my wanting to get a higher education. I had been discouraged from pursuing it since high school. They had always used my grades in high school as an excuse to not support my higher education. I set out to prove them wrong at the school I went to before UD. I took the maximum course load (21 credits) and got good grades at no expense to them because I played a sport. I thought that me proving them wrong about the seriousness of my education desires would make them more inclined to help me when I wanted to transfer here, but I was wrong.

My parents believe that since I am over 18, I am an adult and my decision to pursue a college degree is my choice and my responsibility and therefore they will not support me financially at all. Unfortunately, FAFSA doesn't see it like that. My financial aid package barely makes a dent in my cost of attendance and without the help of my parents, it makes it impossible for me to attend any 4 year school and earn a degree.

My parents grew up in a different time. I am the first to go to college in my family, and they do not know the economic hardships my generation faces when it comes to the job market. A high school diploma does not meet the requirements for jobs that would help provide for yourself and/or a possible family and a bachelor's degree is starting to not be as prestigious anymore. My parents do not understand that. The way they built a life for themselves back then is not a plausible way for me to build one now.

My degree is extremely important to me. I have so many goals for myself. The main one being for me to join the peace corp after I graduate. I have wanted to join for a while because helping people less fortunate than myself has always been something I hold dear. I have worked so hard to get here and have wanted to be an alum to the blue hens. I am so close to reaching my goals; 3 semesters away, and now that I'm finally here, the idea of me not being able to attend anymore breaks my heart. I want nothing more than to graduate and have my degree. And I would hate that something like my parents' unwillingness to support me and help me achieve these goals would be the deciding factor of me graduating, joining the peace corp, and my future. I love being here so much, I have learned a lot, and I have so much potential. I've scoured the internet looking for anything that could help me pay for school. I've applied to numerous scholarships and grants to no avail. I halted my job due to wanting to get acclimated to my classes and the campus, but plan on resuming employment this upcoming semester, but I have no other options in terms of paying the bulk of my cost of attendance.

I ask you today gratefully and humbly if you have absolutely anything to donate, I would appreciate it tremendously. Anything helps, and if you have any advice or possible solutions please email me at [email protected]. I am planning to work extremely hard to get even better grades to help me receive grants and scholarships. I want to continue to work hard and graduate from this amazing and esteemed institution, and I desperately do not want to stop my pursuit of an education.

Thank you for your considering my cause and donating, I am immensely grateful.