Help Keep Me at Howard

My name is Markelle Dunn and I am a rising junior at Howard University studying Sports Medicine and Fashion Merchandising. I am in urgent need of help to resolve a situation that makes no sense and is now out of my control.  The bottom line is: I am not allowed to register for school at Howard University this fall where I am maintaining a 3.7 GPA due to a clerical error and misinformation provided by the University. I would give anything not to have to resort to this desperate plea, but I need access to almost $10,000 by August 30th in order to continue on my path, and the clock is running out.  


I am a Leadership Scholarship recipient as well as a recipient of numerous outside scholarships. Fall 2018, Howard University’s Financial Aid loan disbursements were delayed so I applied for an Emergency Loan from the University. Upon receiving my Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 refund checks in February of 2019, I went back to the aid office to see if I owed the school any money. I was told that it came out of my refund check so I had no present balance. I registered for classes with no problem. 


But at the beginning of August, I was told that I had a $10,000 balance, was unenrolled from my classes, and additionally told that I can’t move in or register until the balance is completely gone. This charge had not shown up on any bill and I had gotten no correspondence about the issue either. I went to the financial aid office to see why there was a hold on my account because my student bill had a zero balance. They informed me they couldn’t help and the balance had to be paid in full. I have no access to any of my other loans or scholarships unless I am registered for classes; However, I can’t register for classes until the balance is paid. Throughout my matriculation at Howard University, I have never had a hold on my account.


I’m from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and our state retention rate is 71%, meaning most people stay within state lines. Making it out of Baton Rouge and attending Howard University was a clear and definitive goal that I had set for myself years prior. There aren’t many opportunities to nurture your growth within the state but as a child, I was fortunate enough to have parents who drilled the importance of education into me. I am a first generation student and my parents work tirelessly to make sure I have what I need. Unfortunately, with the timeline I was given, there was no way that they could obtain $10,000 so quickly. 


I love my school and I’m thriving here—in every way but financially. I’ve always been a hard worker; I got my first job at 15 and haven’t stopped working since. This is honestly my last resort. I do my best to work diligently and save every penny that I can. It is very much out of my character to ask for much of anyone, especially when it comes to money, but some wise people told me to make sure that I get my story out. Once I complete my matriculation, I would like to develop a scholarship program for other students who attend the University because I wouldn’t want any other student to ever endure what I am going through. 


I know that I have the weight of, not only myself, but my family on my shoulders. They paved a path for me and I’m determined to pave an even smoother one for my little sister. Thank you for taking time out of your day to read this and learn a few things about me. I appreciate it way more than I can say.  


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