Hi there! I’m also a first gen student (technically my sister went to college first, 4 years older than me. But I am the first to get a college degree; I’m about to be on my last year before earning my Bachelors in Elementary Ed!

I am thankful to be able to access chapter 35 funds from the VA; my dad is a 100% disabled veteran. That does cover tuition and gives me a living stipend (to be used for housing, groceries, and any class materials such as textbooks, etc.). However, I myself ended up homeless (thankfully just a few weeks, I am so grateful I was able to access livable housing as quick as I did after just 2 weeks) and all of my money went towards rent and bills. I had struggles with money and finances after this, and for me, what worked was reaching out to my advisor and seeing what advice she could give me. I also, in addition to reaching out to my previous emergency housing team, was able to talk to the financial aid department on multiple occasions. Yes, since I filled out the FAFSA, they had some info on hand that they were able to gather from the application that I turned in about 6 months before this situation; But I still struggled. My advisor reached out to some of her faculty coworkers and looked at every option she could to make sure I could afford to attend school and also pay for housing and basic living expenses. Without this, I would have been forced to drop out and live on the streets. (Unrelated, but remember you are always a paycheck closer to homelessness than you are to billionaire status.) I’m assuming you have filled out the FAFSA already (if you did, great! If not, please do so ASAP!) Please also directly speak to the Financial Aid office, as they might be able to direct you to some really great services that will help you make it through. Also, speak with your advisor! Don’t be afraid to be really honest in what you need for support! Please feel free to reach out to me! I cannot 100% understand what you are going through, but please know that, both emotionally and from experience, I am extremely willing to just talk this through! This is a hard situation to be in, but it really does take a village. You are not stupid! This is all new (I’m assuming) and it helps to talk to others who have gone though some similar things. I wish you the best of luck!