I immigrated to Providence from the Dominican Republic at the age of 2. My parents wanted a better future for my siblings and me. They were very excited when they heard about the College Crusade at my elementary school and immediately signed me up when I was in third grade. As a third grader, I had no idea what it meant to be a Crusader. I was just very excited about the idea of attending fun programs during the summer and making new friends. As I got older and attended many of the college tours hosted by the College Crusade, I began to feel excited about the idea of attending college.
With the help of the College Crusade, I went on to complete my bachelor’s degrees in biological sciences, cell and molecular biology, and psychology at the University of Rhode Island in 2016. Fast forward to today and I am about to graduate from medical school at Brown University and become a neurosurgery resident at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles!
It wasn’t just the educational workshops/resources, college tours, or even the financial support the Crusade provided me during my time at URI that made the biggest impact, but it was their advisors.
I remember chatting with my URI/Crusade advisor, Kristina Moyet, about applying early to Brown medical school during my sophomore year. She encouraged me to apply, kindly wrote me a letter of recommendation, and edited my personal statement. Having adults who believe that you can go to college (and even medical school!) and guide you through the process was a positive and life-changing experience. I always knew that aside from my family, I had my advisors rooting for me as I strived to reach my academic goals.
College Crusade provided me with positive academic role models, and for that I am eternally grateful. Therefore, my biggest advice to all the students currently in the College Crusade is to lean on your advisors. They want you to succeed in life and are willing to help you to the best of their abilities.
In 2020, we awarded $72,177 in emergency funding to more than 150 students, thanks to the Rhode Island Foundation, the United Way of Rhode Island, and our 401Gives Day donors. Here are a few students’ stories.
Students who encounter an unexpected cost or emergency often try to manage on their own despite the obstacle. That was the case for Amelia Lopez, a sophomore at the University of Rhode Island majoring in business, who came home from her job at the Ram’s Den food court on campus to find her laptop had fallen and shattered.
A lifelong Providence resident and graduate of Classical High School, she has been taking most of her classes online this year.
“I work and do school full time, all while paying my own rent and bills. I supply all of my own food and necessities; I’m 100% self-supporting,” she said. “When my laptop broke, my life was put on hold. I couldn’t do certain assignments or participate in Zoom meetings at times. I went a long time without a laptop. I couldn’t shell out the cash for a new one right away and, despite my efforts, I failed one of my classes.”
She received an email from the College Crusade about applying for the emergency fund and was awarded funds to replace her computer.
“Having this laptop has made me able to comfortably do work and school without worrying about a huge dent in my wallet,” she said. “In 2021, it is almost impossible to be successful in college without a computer or laptop.”
She wants to thank the donors and funders who made it possible to get back on track with her new laptop.
“Without the emergency fund, I’m not sure how much longer I would have gone without consistent access to a computer,” she said. “Buying a new laptop was unexpected and would have set me back a whole month of rent. I cannot be more grateful to the donors and funders that took this huge burden off of my shoulders and made my success possible this semester. The laptop is much better quality than anything I could have gotten for myself and I feel privileged to have this kind of support. Thank you, donors and funders, for your generosity. It is going a really long way.”
Erick Paz, a freshman and Johnson & Wales University this year majoring in electronics engineering, also received funds to purchase a laptop
He said having a laptop was mandatory to attend, but he didn’t have enough money to purchase one. Then he learned about the College Crusade emergency fund.
“This fund definitely helped me because I got a bill – and some stress – off my back. I felt so relieved when I heard I was getting these funds because during these unprecedented times, it’s hard to get the money for important things like this,” he said
He’d like to tell donors and funders that without the laptop, he wouldn’t have been able to go to college.
“Thank you so much, but even that isn’t enough for me to tell them how much I appreciated their help,” he said. “I definitely wouldn’t have done it without you. My humble appreciation goes out to you.”
Because of the pandemic, many students sought funding for basic needs such as groceries.
Valeria Aguilar, a sophomore at URI majoring in medical laboratory science, is living at home in Providence this year and all of her classes except one are remote. She learned about the College Crusade’s emergency fund through an email from her college success coach.
“This helped me and my family because during the time there was a lot of uncertainty and my dad was the only one working, so it helped us be able to pay for groceries and still have money for bills,” she said. “I am super grateful to know that there are people helping others when needed. Funds are so crucial for students because it can help relieve stress and worries about financial problems in order to just stay focused on school.”
All college students must purchase textbooks and supplies for their classes, but the equipment required for some majors can place an additional burden on them.
“Dowels, wooden planks, cardboard sheets, chipboard, foam board, glue, my drawing utensils, sketch books, erasers, and so many other materials,” lists Carlos Ferman, a junior architecture major at Roger Williams University. “It starts to become more of a nightmare than a dream. That is not even talking about the computer software that architects use.”
The Providence Career and Technical Academy graduate is the first in his family born in the United States. “My single parent mother has to make sure to essentially make the equivalent of two parents because even with two parents, many families take out loans and struggle to send their children to college,” he said.
He attended a College Crusade FAFSA Night, where Director of Postsecondary Success Naglaa Gaafar helped him complete the important financial aid application and told him about the emergency fund.
The funding helped him purchase yearlong subscriptions to the Adobe Creative Suite and SketchUp software as well as glue, batteries and eraser tips for his electric eraser, and an architectural scale, among other supplies.
“Thanks to the College Crusade I was able to continue my third year of architecture because I was able to purchase these important items,” he said. “As a family we struggle financially and make do with what we have. I have taken out loans in my name and applied for several scholarships, so we get by, but this emergency fund has truly lightened the burden my mother carries on her shoulder.”
Ferman said it’s heartbreaking to see some of his peers who were not in the College Crusade struggling to chase their dreams.
“To the donors and funders who helped make these funds possible, thank you. But more importantly, it is because of people like you that shape the future. I have too many stories of students who have the motivation, the knowledge, the qualifications, the ability, the talent – everything but the funds,” he said. “Again, thank you to every donor, because investing in our youth, our students, our children is what ultimately shapes the future. Thank you.”
Growing up, identical twins Benjamin and Christopher Lam didn’t envision attending the same college, but the Cranston High School East seniors and College Crusaders are heading to Boston this fall after their early decision acceptance at Northeastern University.
Applying early decision, which is binding, was an easy choice for Chris. “I wanted to go to Northeastern, so I was like it’s my top choice; I might as well do early decision so I can hear back faster.”
Ben planned to apply early action, which is nonbinding but allows students to receive an early response, “but I missed the deadline,” he said with a laugh. “Our mom wanted us to go to that school specifically and said we should do early decision, so it was great that we both ended up getting in.”
Both grew up hearing their mom and aunt talk about the importance of attending college. “Our cousin went to Northeastern and it’s a really good school and I wanted to be in it,” Chris said.
“I personally wasn’t expecting to be in the same college as Chris,” said Ben. “We have similar interests, but I didn’t think there’d be a high chance that both of us would both get in. I had high hopes, though.”
Both said the College Crusade’s Honorific Program was the most helpful college preparation program to them because of the assistance College Admissions Coach Ana Almeida provided with the application process, sharing scholarship information and helping them create their CSS profiles, an online application to determine eligibility for non-federal financial aid.
Chris said Almeida helped with his personal statement by suggesting someone review it. “That was good because she gave me a lot of helpful hints to make it better,” he said.
“The College Crusade was definitely more helpful than what other students were doing,” said Ben.
Once their early decision applications were in, the waiting game began. “It was really stressful,” Ben said.
“I felt academically I was pretty good,” Chris said. “So I was very confident at first and once it got closer I got a little more nervous. I just started freaking out as it got closer.”
Even the way they learned their fate was a little nerve-wracking. “I was on Instagram and that’s how I found out the decisions were out. Then I told Ben about it and said let’s look together,” Chris said.
“We were going online to the status check,” Ben continued. “Chris and I both looked at it and it said, ‘Your decisions are in.’ Chris clicked the button and it said, ‘You’re in’ – and mine froze!”
Chris is interested in engineering, and Ben wants to study computer science. The two aren’t sure yet whether they will room together on campus this fall.
“I think it’s kind of undecided. People say we should be exploring and living with other roommates,” Chris said.
“But I already know how he lives and it’s definitely easier to adapt to it,” added Ben.
The two have participated in the same clubs – class council, math and science teams, tennis and the U.S. Army JROTC program – and are in all but two of the same classes this year. They both have straight A’s but still engage in the healthy competition they always have.
“I still compete with Chris about who has the better math score; he has a 99 and I have 97,” Ben said with a laugh.
They are attending school virtually this year after first attending hybrid before cases began to rise. Ben said he prefers attending in person, but it’s not the same as usual
“It was difficult to get around the building,” added Chris, because of the one-way traffic flow. “You might have to go all the way around to get to a classroom two doors down. Right now, I prefer virtual but typically I’d prefer in-person get to talk and interact with people.”
Both are hopeful they might get to experience a bit more of a typical end to their senior years. “I’m a little optimistic. I think we might be able to have a graduation and a prom, but I’m also being realistic,” said Chris.
“I’m optimistic but if not, I don’t think I would mind too much,” Ben said. “I’m looking ahead to fall now.”
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (April 21, 2020): The College Crusade of Rhode Island is expanding its role to help more graduating high school seniors apply for federal financial aid during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is the first step in applying for financial aid. Eligible students can receive up to $6,345 per year in federal Pell grants during the 2020-21 cycle. Students also must complete the form to qualify for state and institutional funding, as well as some scholarships.
The College Crusade, whose mission is to prepare and inspire young people to become the first in their families to attend and complete college, is well positioned to help more Rhode Island seniors complete the form and become eligible for aid. Each year, the nonprofit organization helps nearly 400 seniors enrolled in its program complete their FAFSA form.
Starting April 27, College Crusade staff will begin assisting seniors who are not enrolled in its program but who attend its partner high schools in Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket and Woonsocket, as well as Cranston High School East and William M. Davies Jr. Career and Technical High School.
In mid-May, the organization will open its FAFSA completion assistance to any high school senior in the state. All appointments will take place virtually.
“The biggest barrier to students attending college is cost and, during this time of economic uncertainty, it’s more important than ever that every student who qualifies for college aid receives it,” said Andrew Bramson, president and CEO of the College Crusade. “Our advisers have expertise in FAFSA completion, so it is a natural fit for us to serve more of our state’s students and help them get the funding they need.”
The expansion of services also will help the state meet its goal for FAFSA completion. Rhode Island is ranked first in the nation for year-over-year improvement in FAFSA completion rates and has set a goal of 70 percent completion at every public high school. In 2019, 66 percent of seniors completed the FAFSA.
“The College Crusade is providing a valuable service to students across the state – putting them one step closer to their dream to attend college affordably and stay on a path to career success,” said Angélica Infante-Green, commissioner of elementary and secondary education. “During this time of unprecedented challenges for Rhode Island students, I am extremely grateful that we will keep many of our most qualified and motivated students moving forward. I encourage every senior to complete their FAFSA form and keep as many doors open as possible.”
“School staff and students are being pulled in many different directions during this unprecedented time, and it’s understandable that FAFSA completion might not be top of mind, but last year $4 million was left on the table in federal Pell Grants. We know that missing out on free financial aid means students could be taking on more college debt or maybe not going to college at all,” Bramson said.
To schedule an appointment with a College Crusade adviser, email fafsa@onwardwelearn.org or text the word FAFSA to 95577.
For more information on the Rhode Island FAFSA Initiative, including a toolkit with screenshots to help families complete the form and a dashboard showing completion rates at high schools across the state, visit www.prepare-ri.org/fafsa.
The College Crusade supports more than 4,000 students in middle school, high school and college each year with one-on-one advising and year-round programs that focus on academic enrichment, social and emotional development, career education, and postsecondary preparation to help them become the first in their families to earn a college degree. Sixth-graders who attend traditional public schools and select public charter schools and independent schools in Providence, Cranston, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Woonsocket and West Warwick are eligible to enroll in the College Crusade.
