I am a freshman at a 4-year liberal arts private college. My GPA when I graduated from high school was a 3.1. My high school guidance counselor found a scholarship from the college I wanted to go to that is worth $20,000 per year and she said I qualified for it. I called an admissions counselor at the college and she told me I only have a 2.7 according to the college standards. Music does not count as a credit in the eyes of the college. So, I needed over $23,000 in loans and my dad is helping as much as he can. He gets laid off of work at times, especially in the winter, so it can be rough for him. Both of my parents have never attended college and I am the first child to do so.

     I had a job over the summer and during my senior year of high school. I was available many days to work but they would give me a maximum of 3 days a week, even after I stated my availability. My mom gave me a 2000 Rav4 when I got my license and the job barely helped me pay my insurance and gas and anything else I needed. Now in college, I was unable to keep the same job due to distance. It has taken me almost three months to find a new job and I finally got one only because my dad’s girlfriend knows the right people. My dad has helped me as best as he can these past few months, which I am grateful for.

   I wish I had gone to a state school instead but my dream is to be a clinical psychologist and the internship program at the college I am attending has exactly what I need to achieve my goals for my future. I hope I will be able to pay off my loans but it is so high, it will take so long and many more struggles will be along the way.

  I am the 99 percent.

  occupywallst.org