Help Pierre Finish College

Hello family, friends, and strangers! My name is Pierre Sangare. I'm an international student currently attending Texas Tech University. I'm from Gabon, a small country in Central Africa. My first language is French. I've been in the United States for 6 years. Please bear with me, so I can tell you my story.

When I graduated High School, my parents used their retirement money to help me go to college, and make something of myself. I came to the U.S in 2011, I had to learn English for a year in order to attend college. I couldn't even make a proper sentence or engage in simple conversations. I started to attend Grayson Community College Spring 2012 and graduated in Fall 2013 with an Associate Degree in Physics/ Math. Despite the language barrier, I graduated with a 3.9 GPA. I attended Grayson College because it was the cheapest school I could afford. I thought my journey would end in the U.S with my associate degree. Luckily, I got a scholarship for two years to attend Texas Tech University Spring 2014.

After a semester at Texas Tech, I suddenly lost my younger sister to Malaria. It hit me really hard and I went through a year of depression. My main motivation to go to school as the oldest of my siblings was to be able to help them once I get my bachelor degree. I couldn't study, my mind wasn't right, and I failed in my most of my classes for two consecutive semesters. By the time I recovered from depression, my scholarship was about to end. The only reason why I could afford to be at Texas Tech was the scholarship. As an international student, I can't get student loans and I have to pay each semester in full. I don't also have anyone able or willing to co-sign an unsecure student loan with me. Also, I can't take time off to work and save because I will lose my student visa. I can only work part-time which barely helps to pay for small expenses.

Texas Tech costs about $10,000 per semester, I was about to quit school, but I didn't see the point in doing so since I only have one semester to graduate with a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering. At the begining of this year, my parents had to go in subsential debt to help me since I'm so close to my degree. Right now, they can only afford to help me with rent and food. I have a $2000 debt on my credit cards and about $150 in my bank account right now.

I know the amount is alot to ask for. I really do, I grew up in places where people can't still afford running water and electricity. I only have 3 classes to take to graduate. The reason I'm humbly asking for $25,000, my school costs $10,000 per semester and I haven't began to pay for the Spring 2017,and I have one semester to go. I have holds on my school account, therefore I can't register for any of my remaining classes. The most important thing for me is to be able to make my family proud. Thank you for reading.