Educational Woes

It seems like I’ve been having so many issues regarding my education since I graduated HS. For those who don’t know, I went to Cardinal Mooney. That’s a private catholic school in our area; It costs dang near $5,000 a kid (at the time) for each school year. I have no idea what it costs now. Well, my senior year my family went through a huge financial struggle and my momma was unable to pay my tuition before graduation. So you know what that means: no money, no diploma! So, all of my academic achievements were held hostage in some file cabinet until the bill was paid in full. Luckily, I was still allowed to walk with my class. After graduation, 2005, I attended YSU for one semester, but that’s the most you can go w/o your HS transcripts. Once the fall semester ended I was shit outta luck. I’ve always been very education oriented and knew that I had to find a way to get my ass back in school… I happened to find a school that’ll let me get my pharm tech certification w/o my transcripts; I was IN! After I completed that program I worked FT and paid off my tuition from damn near two yrs before. Soon as I saved up $4,295 I took CASH to the school on my lunch break and paid that bill OFF!!!!! That was one the best things I’ve EVER done. I remember one of good friends telling me “I’m proud of you; I would’ve given up a long time ago.” … I re-enrolled at YSU for the following fall semester (2008) and started my chemistry degree. At the beginning I thought I could handle working FT and going to school FT…NOT. That was a bad idea; my grades began to suffer as my course load got heavier and harder. So, I had to decrease my hrs at work and focus more on my studies…Now, I’m nearing the completion of my BA in chemistry and I’m worried about how I’m going to pay for my LAST semester of undergrad coursework. Since I’ve been at this university for almost 5 yrs and attended a tech school for two yrs, I’ve met the max for the Pell grant and I’m really close to the max for the federal loans. I’m screwed!!! It’s like, I’ve worked so hard for my education from day one and I just can’t catch a break. I applied for private loans with and without a cosigner, and applied for tuition assistance through a local organization. But guess what…I was denied for the loans and that organization is waiting on funding! My plan now is to finish out this semester that’s already paid for and pray to sweet baby Jesus I can afford to pay out of pocket for the spring if that organization is not able to help…It really pisses me off when certain individuals take advantage of the financial assistance we receive to go to school and could care less about their education. I know I can’t really be bitter with the next man because they don’t value education as much as I, but I can be bitter that they have the same opportunity and take advantage of it….So yea, I’ve gon through a helluva lot more than the average college student and I’m tired of it. I worked my ass off and did very well in HS; and, I’m doing ok in college. I’m not doing as well as I want, but I have other obligations that get in the way of that. However, I’ve earned my degree as much as the other hardworking college students. Hell, I’d say I’ve done a lot more than the average student… When are all of these obstacles going to give me a break?! Damn! This shit sucks…