Help Keira go to college!

Hi! My name is Keira Reed and I’m 17 years old. My dream is to be a marine biologist. I have always loved the ocean and my passion is to help restore the environment. One area I would specifically like to be involved with is reducing waste in the ocean. Did you know there is currently an island of garbage referred to as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch covering an area twice the size of Texas and three times the size of France? The world needs people who not only want to make a difference but who have the knowledge to be able to do so. In order for me to acquire this knowledge I will need to go further with my education. I am currently in an early college program at Mayland Community College High School that is allowing me to get my Associates degree by the time I graduate high school. After that I hope to be accepted to the University of North Carolina Wilmington to study marine biology in August 2025.

The estimated annual cost for attendance is about $27,000/year. At 17 years old this seems overwhelming and impossible, but I am doing what I can to arrange financial aide and am currently working part time to save money for tuition.

Financially speaking, this is not something my parents are able to help with. My mom would if she could and my father passed away this year after battling addictions and being unable to take care of even himself. This makes any help I receive here all the more valuable! So whether you have $2 to give or $20 or $200, please help me to become someone who can better our planet.

Also, if anyone knows of a grant, or scholarship opportunities, or any other ideas, please let me know!