My wife, Danielle Powell, was kicked out of Grace University because she is gay. As if that's not bad enough, now the school is forcing her to pay back her scholarship money, because they say she wasn't "moral" enough to deserve that scholarship.

Danielle dreamed of completing her degree at Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska and becoming the first person in her family to graduate from college. She earned scholarships to cover her tuition and, for 3 ½ years, contributed to the school both academically and in extracurricular activities, including playing on the volleyball team and starting an on-campus homeless outreach in Omaha’s downtown area.

In the spring 2011, that dream came to an end when university officials found out Danielle was in a same-sex relationship and expelled her from school just one semester short of graduation. She was told, “…it would be impossible for the faculty of Grace University to affirm your Christian character, a requirement for degree conferral.” Danielle’s life was completely turned upside down and her academic career ended simply because she fell in love with another woman.

Being kicked out of school for being gay would have been awful enough -- but Danielle’s nightmare didn’t end there. In addition to being expelled, school officials revoked her scholarships and are hounding her for $6000 in back due tuition for the final semester -- which she was never allowed to complete -- that her scholarships would have covered.

I’m asking for your help in petitioning Grace University to drop all tuition fees owed for the Spring Semester of 2011. We are a young, recently married couple and this lingering debt -- which Danielle should not have to pay and Grace University has no right to demand -- is holding her back from achieving her dreams and putting us in a perilous financial situation. Please sign this petition and join us in demanding at least a shred of “grace” from Grace University.