UNLV Tuition and Books

Hello my name is Patricia Selam, I'm from the Yakama Nation Reservation originally but reside in Las Vegas Nevada pursuing my Master's Degree at University Nevada Las Vegas in Mulitcultural Diversity & Social Justice through the Teaching & Learning Program. I've been here for three years now and am two classes away for completion. My Graduation is Spring May 2018!

As hard as this is for me - I'm requesting your help if you can within your financial means. Any amount will help at this point.  A few of my Dear friends have encouraged me to rise above my pride and include others in my struggle.  I've made no secret of my recent struggles with one of my classes. This failed class put me at 2.9 gpa and completion rate of 69%, just below the required ( 3.0 gpa & 70%) level to maintain enrollment in Grad School.

It was a huge process for me to file an appeal to ensure that I maintain my enrollment as a student in the Graduate program.  The process took half the semester, initially my request was denied, so we had to file an adendum to the appeal after the first letter of denial. Given that I ONLY have two classes left, they granted my appeal. Ultumately it was a success. But this process  had me in prayerful tears the whole time.

During this process any/all funds was placed on hold pending enrollment. Technically I wasn't a student, but I was advised to keep attending my classes until a decision was made. Now that I'm officially enrolled as a student again, policy requirements state that its too late for any funding to be released from financial aide.

And my YN Tribal Scholarship was not released pending the results of my appeal. To this day it still hasn't been processed and released with provided proof/requirements of my successful enrollment. 

All these attempts towards maintaining my enrollment, were all predicated one upon another, which made it difficult to move forward. In anticipation that this might have happened, my Advisor assisted me in attaining an emergency grant. This grant paid for half my tuition, now I have to pay the balance before they'll allow my Graduation application to be accepted and processed by May 2018.

I have applied to Graduate BUT they are not going to grant my application to walk in the Ceremony until the balance is paid. So at this point, I've been told this needs to be paid ASAP. So we can file an appeal for me to possibly walk in the ceremony come May. This is why I was hesitant to announce  my Graduation date. I don't want anyone flying to Las Vegas to support me if I'm not able to walk in the UNLV ceremony. 

I've been staying positive, focused, and committed to my studies regardless of these challenges. I'm maintaining 4.0 gpa in both classes. I realize and recognize my blessings, but the stress of the process can be extremely overwhelming. I'm approaching the finish line. I can see it <3 I've cried many many days. Each revealed decision left me feeling defeated, but I've persevered passed many of the denials with a prayerful heart that I can possibly change the hearts and minds of the UNLV decision makers. Its not over yet......

Thank you so much for reading my situation,  and for your consideration in helping financially.  I appreciate & welcome any/all prayers too  <3