He’s earned the opportunities I can’t give him

We always tell our children that they can achieve anything to which they apply their mind. My husband and I have worked hard to progress to our wonderful lower middle class lifestyle. We powered through the recession by any means necessary and try to give our son the securities that every child deserves. Sebastian took the ball and ran with it spectacularly. He recently took the SAT, in 7th grade, and scored high enough for admittance to the Duke University Talent Identification Program. My husband and I know how hard we've had to struggle, because we only have certain amount of college education. I just now received my Bachelor's degree, recently, while working multiple jobs to support the family. Over the last decade, my husband has worked less and less, due to mounting medical issues. We are so proud of Sebastian; blazing his trail towards an exciting and successful future. This exclusive program, for which he has qualified, offers amazing academic advantages. Our son was elated to find out that, as a member of the program, he qualifies for a Summer Studies Program that offers an experience of a lifetime. Only students who score at the top of their grade level on the ACT or SAT are eligible to attend Duke's unique program. Children get to go to a college campus for three weeks, experiencing an education equivalent to a semester of college and building friendships that they will remember forever. The list of alumni from the program "includes pioneering scientists, technological innovators, lifesaving doctors, groundbreaking educators, ... and thousands more successful, motivated professionals who excel across a variety of disciplines." (tip.duke.edu). We were so excited. We submitted the application, jumping up and down at the thought of the exceptional experiences in store, until we immediately got the news. All the financial assistance had been exhausted when we submitted his application. He has worked so hard, for his whole school career, and he cannot move forward because of my our financial limitations. I don't want to be the person to hold him back. We are so proud of him, and he is such a good person. Please don't let his future be decided by his parents' limitations. We have gone to work to find the funding. I have been calling foundations, I will reach out to rotary clubs, and I can work extra hours at my second job and sell candy bars to make more money. Sebastian has decided to start mowing lawns to save money. Missing this opportunity will not be for lack of effort. Sebastian has never been short on diligence, but we still need your help. We're reaching out to family and friends, but the more people that we can endear to this effort, the less it will take from each individual. So, any little thing helps, and to Sebastian it means a life changing summer. This could be the pathway to a better education than we can give him and amazing career possibilities. He's done, and will continue to do, all the work. Please help us to send him toward the future he is building for himself. Thank you so much.