Paying for college is challenging for me because of the financial strain and responsibilities my parent have to take care of. I come from a single parent household where the income has to cover six children, so putting aside money for my education is very difficult. We prioritize our basic necessities like food, clothes, housing, transportation, etc and after paying for that, there isn’t enough to just focus on me and my college needs. Growing up, I witnessed the sacrifices my mother made her kids. We have moved every year for the last four years because of bills, and because of the frequent moving, saving for college have become even more difficult. This also made it very difficult to plan to pay for the cost of attendance for college. We also had to get rid of our car because of its issues, so I am forced to pay for public transportation like the bus, train, or order an Uber which is even more money. Even while experiencing these hardships, I still remain focus and committed on continuing my education in college and creating a successful future for myself. Instead of letting those challenges discourage me, I let it motivate me to do better in everything that I do and to be intentional. Without the help I need financially ,covering the cost of college would create a bigger burden on me. But if I received assistance, I could focus more on my education instead of the financial hardship that comes with college. In order to cover the remaining cost of college without relying on scholarships, I plan to be strategic and responsible by combining multiple financial opportunities. I know that paying for college means that I would have to plan carefully and become disciplined and I am very prepared to do so. I would first apply for Federal and State financial aid like need based grants. This would help me reduce the cost of tuition. In addition to this I will apply for the work study opportunities that are at the school I will be attending. This will help me make money in college while gaining work experience. I also have a plan to work part time during the school year and full time in the summer, using that money towards tuition, books, and my own personal expenses. I plan to take out student loans, I believe this will be a major part in funding my education. While borrowing money, I plan to be responsible and cautious. I will take out only the minimum amount that I could because I understand the financial strain it could cause on a person. My mother went to college and earned her bachelor’s degree. After she graduated, she had a debt of about $40,000. She ended up not using her degree and stuck to part time jobs, so as she continues life, she is still left with the debt she received after completing college. I am very focused on making informed decisions that would help me repay my student loans responsibly. Budgeting is also a very smart way I plan to be responsible with my money. I will need to track all of my expenses while still prioritizing my personal needs. I also want to do internships that aligns with my careers goals that will pay me while also gaining experience into field of interest. I am very confident that I will be able to fund my education by remaining disciplined and being consistent working toward a successful future

At a very young age I had big dreams of becoming a track star. I was so sure that those dreams would work out as long as I tried my best and never gave up. I was 8 years old when i realized I was a fast runner. I would always race at events, school, and at summer camp. My mother knew that i loved to run so she put me in Tracks and Field. From the first practice, I knew i would succeed in Track. My coaches and teammates would always compliment me tell me how good of a runner I was and how I would make it out as an Olympic medalist. Hearing that at a young age made me more confident in myself and secure in my future. 2019 was the year that everything changed. In 2019, Covid 19 broke out and stopped all practices. I was worried that I might never run again. During that time I had an ever bigger challenge, I found out that I had a Bleeding disorder called Factor 7 Deficiency ,a rare bleeding disorder that affects your blood’s ability to clot properly, and Blood disorder called anemia, a condition where your body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your tissues. After Covid 19, I went back to track and field and realized i couldn’t run with my condition. I couldn’t keep up or run how i used to. I was not able to finish out the track season. This left me devastated and sad for my future. I didn’t know what to do next or who to talk to. As I started high school, I learned that I had to lean on my education to get me through college. But i’ve always been a smart child. I was valedictorian in 5th grade and top of my class in middle school, so leaning on my education was not a problem. But I still struggle with my bleeding disorders. I still get the question of why i gave up track so easily. Many people do not understand what most blood disorders are and how they affect daily life. I will spread awareness about this by openly sharing my story through social media, clubs, and teaching my family and friends about the signs of bleeding disorders like factor 7 deficiency and anemia. I also plan to advocate for others with similar condition and show them that being diagnosed can change your path but also help you find your purpose.

At a very young age I had big dreams of becoming a track star. I was so sure that those dreams would work out as long as I tried my best and never gave up. I was 8 years old when i realized I was a fast runner. I would always race at events, school, and at summer camp. My mother knew that i loved to run so she put me in Tracks and Field. From the first practice, I knew i would succeed in Track. My coaches and teammates would always compliment me tell me how good of a runner I was and how I would make it out as an Olympic medalist. Hearing that at a young age made me more confident in myself and secure in my future. 2019 was the year that everything changed. In 2019, Covid 19 broke out and stopped all practices. I was worried that I might never run again. During that time I had an ever bigger challenge, I found out that I had a Bleeding disorder called Factor 7 Deficiency ,a rare bleeding disorder that affects your blood’s ability to clot properly, and Blood disorder called anemia, a condition where your body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your tissues. After Covid 19, I went back to track and field and realized i couldn’t run with my condition. I couldn’t keep up or run how i used to. I was not able to finish out the track season. This left me devastated and sad for my future. I didn’t know what to do next or who to talk to. As I started high school, I learned that I had to lean on my education to get me through college. But i’ve always been a smart child. I was valedictorian in 5th grade and top of my class in middle school, so leaning on my education was not a problem. But I still struggle with my bleeding disorders. This experience is what inspired me to purse a career in the medical field. I want to help people who have health challenges just like me. This will not only be a personal goal but way for me to make an impact as a healthcare professional. This Journey has taught me about Determination, Resilience, and Patience, all qualities that will ensure i deliver great medical support, skill, and compassion.