Orphaned at age 11, An’Jeanette Beverly struggled to find her place. When she discovered the support of Kent State University at Stark, this first-generation college student excelled. Still, that dream almost came to a halt until the Last Dollar Scholarship carried her through to graduation day. An’Jeanette graduated in 2020 despite challenges, with her bachelor’s degree in business management.
Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic left this single mom making tough choices: paying the bills or buying enough food to keep herself and her 17-year-old son fed. Graduation just within reach, she didn’t know if she would have enough money to pay for her final semester at Kent State University at Stark.
“I had no money,” Beverly said. “Like so many in the country during this pandemic, I felt at one of my lowest points. Had I come this far to not graduate? And then, I learned I was given the Last Dollar Scholarship, and it was meant for situations just like mine.”
The Last Dollar Scholarship provides aid to students whose college education is near completion but are at risk due to an unexpected crisis that has left them without other financial options.
“Without the Last Dollar Scholarship, it would have been very hard for me, especially working from home and caring for my son,” she said. “This scholarship has been a true blessing, and I’m so proud to be a student of Kent State Stark. When they say, ‘Flashes helping Flashes,’ they really mean that.”