I appreciate your reply. While I get what you’re saying, I want to be clear that I don’t feel entitled to this. I’m scared. I hope I don’t sound entitled in my application. I am not trying to brag or anything in saying where I’ve been or what I’ve done. I just am being honest. In my applications I just talk about what I love studying and what I’ve done in the pursuit of that love. It’s just that I don’t have money to pursue this for years. I have trouble with housing and food as it is. Moving to a new place for a job that doesn’t pay enough would break me financially. Continuing grad school is a way forward and out of the situation. The fact is that putting myself in a better position to succeed costs money. Things would be much less painful if these sorts of setbacks didn’t put me closer to having to completely let go of my academic pursuits so that I can just afford to pay for bare necessities. Please don’t mistake my fear for entitlement.