" … About $1,500 still separates the $38,650 Mathis needs and the sum of her grants, loans and scholarships. And then there will be books to buy, bus rides and other incidentals, and counselor Schelly Mitchell is determined to close the gap for a promising student who is living with a friend’s family this summer and has no support from her parents." …
What happens next year?
Good question, kandcsmom
I wonder how much she earned at her summer job. Her GoFundMe has $917 over 4 months since she started it.
My question is what about the other students who are in similar or worse situations( because unfortunately I’m sure there are) who also have “gaps” to fill but will not have the same opportunities? While noble on the part of the college counselor , how do you choose? I also agree with @kandcsmom . What does happen next year or if in foreseen expenses arise?
Gee, I think it is great that she is helping one student even if she can’t help them all. THIS student has proven she wants to go to college and is willing to work for it, and she gets extra help and support. Next year? Maybe the student will have figured out the system a little bit better by then, will figure out a job and savings and how to apply for just one more scholarship. Maybe the laptop will still be chugging along sophomore year, but if not this student has learned that she doesn’t need a new one and that another used one might be the answer. I applaud them for using community resources to give her the little things like towels and soap.
We are not in the same financial position at the start of sophomore year as we were freshman year, so we deal with the changes, figure out a new plan. This girl has no parental help and this counselor is giving that extra guidance. You do what you can and have to to make it work. I doubt many kids start college with all 4 years of costs and fees sitting in the bank waiting to be spent 3-4 years down the road. Things come up, they are dealt with. Sometimes you just have to take a chance.
How do colleges select who gets the grants or who gets the admissions? They just pick based on the application. This student ‘won’ with this GC. Are there other kids who needed help but didn’t get it? I’m sure there are but should the counselor not help anyone because she can’t help everyone? Should Gates not give scholarships at all because they can’t give them to everyone who qualifies? The squeaky wheel gets the grease. This girl squeaked.