Help Me Finish My Last Year In College

Hello everyone,

My name is Dilara Tosun, and I'm a first-generation college student from Turkey currently studying at Santa Barbara City College as an international student. My journey to pursue education abroad has been filled with challenges, but I'm determined to overcome them to achieve my dreams.

I'm working towards obtaining two associate degrees from SBCC, one in computer science and another in mathematics, intending to transfer to UCSB to continue my studies in computer science. My ultimate aspiration is to become a software engineer.

Despite maintaining a GPA of 3.96 and holding two campus jobs – tutoring in the Math lab and DSPS – it's been a financial struggle to support myself. As an international student, I'm limited to working 19.5 hours per week and ineligible for financial aid or many scholarships due to my status. My single mother, although supportive, lacks the financial means to assist me.

Last summer, I chose to not go back home to visit my mother and dedicated my time to working on campus to save up for tuition. However, with the limited opportunities available, it's becoming increasingly challenging to manage both my educational and living expenses.

Your support would make a world of difference in helping me continue my education for the next year and eventually transfer to UCSB. Any contribution, big or small, will directly impact my journey towards achieving my goals and all 12,000$ will be spent on my tuition. With your generosity, I can focus on my studies and work towards my dream of becoming a software engineer.

Thank you for considering supporting my education and being a part of this journey with me.

Warm regards,

Dilara Tosun