My name is Cassie, I am nineteen and I am a student at Vanderbilt University. I worked extremely hard in high school and since Vanderbilt only had a 12 percent acceptance rate last year I was humbled and thrilled to be accepted.



Unfortunately, just 3 weeks before I started my first year of college my Mom took her own life. It was a difficult year for me but I did my best to persevere. Now with my second year approaching, I just learned three days ago that without my Mom having residential custody, I no longer am going to get any financial aid.



Even with my college fund, my summer work savings, a scholarship and a student loan, I am still short $24,000 for this year’s tuition. To make things worse, my father has been unemployed for months now and has no immediate job prospects.



It is extremely difficult for me to request help, but more bearable than the thought of losing a dream I worked and continue to work so hard for. I am majoring in Biomedical Engineering in the hopes of contributing to major medical advancements. I will be eternally grateful if through your contributions I can still make this happen. I’m praying daily for a miracle.

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