Support Me in Getting My Art Degree

My name is Ameena Hobbs, and I am currently enrolled at Grand Valley University pursuing a degree in art. When I was younger, my mom asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I don't remember my answer, but my mom told me that I said I wanted to be a clown so I could make people smile. While my desired career has changed (for the most part), I still truly and passionately hold onto the desire to make people happy.

The last couple of years, especially the past few months, have been mentally and financially strenuous for me and my family. In the summer of 2019, before my sophomore year of high school, we moved from Colorado to Michigan for my mother to have access to the necessary health care she needed for her condition. While it was a necessary move, it completely uprooted my life. In Colorado, I made unforgettable friends, discovered my passion for art, and became a part of a community of creatives. I painted murals, attended various workshops, was a part of local galleries, and sold some of my pieces at just 14. I was in my element, already planning the art schools I would apply to when I grew up despite just being a freshman in high school.

However, moving to Michigan disconnected me from my community and passion, and I struggled to find my footing again. The pandemic hit before I could fully adapt, and my GPA dropped to barely over 2.0. My SAT score was pitiful, and I was at my lowest point. I entered my junior year of high school feeling like there was no hope of getting into the colleges I wanted. Reality hit me during the pandemic and online classes; I had no hope if I didn't try. I brought my GPA up an entire grade point, got a part-time job to pay for application fees, and retook my sat, achieving a score of 1200. Due to my determination and hard work, I got accepted to all the colleges I applied for despite my grades. I was passionate, and I was determined to succeed.

I chose to go back to Colorado and attend Fort Lewis College; while it was one of the best years of my life, it was not financially sustainable. My parents separated, and my mom could not provide me with financial support. Due to my subpar grades in high school, I am not eligible for most scholarships and grants. Determined to stay in college, I transferred to Grand Valley University, where I could live at home and commute to lessen the costs. Additionally, I applied for private student loans to cover the expenses my financial aid wouldn't cover.

My first semester at GVSU started rockily; a tornado hit my area, causing many trees to fall in our yard and causing power to be out at our home for several days. I commuted 30 minutes to GVSU Monday through Thursday for my classes and worked the weekends, which went well until my health started declining. I felt fatigued and struggled to get out of bed due to pretty severe anemia and depression; when I did make it out of bed, the commute would be painful due to the chronic pain I felt in my knees that worsened with having to drive for long periods.

The drive to GVSU wasn't something I could accomplish every day; in the later months, going at night after my classes would be dangerous due to my astigmatism and inability to afford glasses. I was in and out of doctors and physical therapy appointments in November I ended up in the ER due to my upper body going numb and feeling extremely dizzy. I started to rack up a significant amount of medical debt.

To combat this, this semester, I applied to student housing on Grand Valley's downtown campus to access the bus routes that will take me to the main campus and be closer to my job. I applied for a private student loan with my mom as the co-signer but was denied twice. The furnace in our house just broke, and she has sold the truck I was driving, so she cannot spare any money to help with my tuition. I contacted my advisor at GVSU to see if I could do anything. I got an additional $2,000 subsidized loan from the government and applied and wrote a letter to the financial aid office, but I fear it is still not enough.

However, I am not giving up.

My tuition is $7,314.00, and my housing costs are $4,310.00, totaling $11,624.00 for this semester. I have received $3,217.00 in financial aid, resulting in a balance of $8,407.00. I plan to make deferred payments each month and contribute my income and any donations I receive. Any additional support would go to my monthly expenses and paying off my medical debt to raise my credit so I may apply for private loans again.

Art is a fundamental part of our society as it conveys our history and communicates feelings in a medium everyone can understand. I aspire to live up to my childhood ambitions and create art that makes people feel joy and smile. The past couple of years have been tough, but they have impacted me significantly and molded me into the person I am today. I am determined to get my degree and improve my artistic skills. While my financial situation isn't ideal, I haven't felt happier pursuing art. I have all the wonderful people in my life to thank for this. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated, and I am so grateful for the unconditional support I have received from my friends, family, and kind strangers. Your encouragement and advice have helped me stay determined throughout these uncertain times and continue to believe in myself. And I hold your kind words close to my heart.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story,

Ameena :)

Check out this link if you want to view more of my art!