Ticket to Ride = Ticket to Success

As a twin, I learned in 2024 that FAFSA wasn’t giving additional aid to siblings in the same household. This placed an unexpected financial burden on me at the time of HS graduation as my sibling had just been accepted to Rutgers however, as an NJ STARS program recipient, I wasn’t super- worried. Not until I reached classes did the unforeseen costs of statistics calculators, Online books and transportation become a challenge.

In Fall 2025, after there was delay with processing an award I received, I took out a small loan so I wouldn’t get dropped from classes that semester. Despite accompanying challenges with getting to campus at the time, I persisted. This December, I will receive my Associates in Cyber Security.

In looking ahead, I am interested in applying to NJIT’s Law, Technology and Culture program. The Ticket to Success program helped immensely to relieve the emotional and financial stress I was burdened with when trying to commute and achieve my goal of getting my degree. I’m super-thankful for the Community Resource Hub and would like to encourage everyone to give what you can toward this program.