Help Bintou Graduate from Spelman College

Dear Community,

My name is Bintou Jobarteh. I am from the South Bronx in New York City.

I am one semester—12 credits—shy of completing my bachelor’s degree at Spelman College.

With your help, I will be the first in my family to graduate from college. My parents did not have any formal education and immigrated here from West Africa before I was born. At a very young age, I understood the value of an education. I saw the struggles my parents faced daily. I wanted to create a legacy of financial stability and I knew the only way to accomplish that was pursuing higher education.

In college, I have taken out loans, received some scholarships, and I work 20 hours a week.  I have worked  full-time every summer with BronxWorks as well. This semester, my father refused to take out the Parent Plus Loan because I have five younger siblings he has to support.

I have gotten $4,000 in financial aid from the school. I need to raise $8,000 by Friday, January 25th to meet the 50% deadline or I will have to immediately leave school.

According to a study by the Pell Institute, only 11% of low-income, first-generation college students will have a college degree within six years of enrolling in school. My goal is to walk across the stage with my peers and land a job helping others. I am so grateful for people’s contributions and I will pay it forward.  

Any amount helps. Thank you so much.

Love, Bintou