For weeks, I spent every spare moment completing applications. My guidance counselor, Mrs. Chen, stayed after school to help me navigate the complex financial aid system. I’ve rarely seen a student as determined as you, she told me as we submitted my 25th scholarship application.
I received several small scholarships, but not enough to cover the substantial Westfield tuition. With a mix of federal loans and private loans co-signed by Grandma Eleanor, I pieced together enough financing for my first year. Next came housing.
While Lily would live in the expensive on-campus dormitories paid for by our parents, I found a tiny apartment 45 minutes from campus with three roommates I met through a university housing forum. Meanwhile, I applied for every job near campus. Two weeks before move-in day, I secured a position at a busy coffee shop within walking distance of my cheapest classes, plus weekend shifts at a local bookstore.
The contrast between our preparations was stark. My parents took Lily shopping for new clothes, a laptop, and dorm decorations. They helped her pack, arranged for professional movers, and planned an elaborate send-off party with family friends.