Overcoming financial challenges is a familiar experience for me. I had to learn to navigate my financial situation once I turned 18, and my responsibilities increased when I moved to San Diego to finish my undergraduate degree. Money has always been a barrier to overcome, but Just in Time has supported me, and helped lesson the financial burden.  

Last year brought a lot of changes and challenges, some were harder than others. Despite that, it was a year full of growth and opportunity –I graduated from San Diego State University, moved across the country and began my PhD program in Clinical Psychology at Montclair State University. I defended my honors thesis that I’ve been working on for three years now. 

My adjustment to New Jersey was difficult, to say the least. Beyond cultural, academic, social and mental adjustments to living in a new state, I faced financial instability that was difficult to manage. The move itself, all the way to the East Coast to start my new academic journey, had some challenges too, and Just in Time’s Master Your Dream Scholarship helped smooth them out. With the scholarship, I was able to find the money for the road trip (e.g., gas, food, and new tires). Driving myself instead of shipping my car was one way that I was trying to make the move more cost-efficient. I also decided not to stop at any hotels, sleeping in my car at rest stops the entire way. This strategy saved me thousands of dollars, but I still fell short financially.  

I tried to make my housing as cost-efficient as possible, which meant finding cheap student housing. Despite this, I still fell over a thousand dollars short of my deposit, but with the remaining money of the MYD scholarship ($1,500), I was able to afford the security deposit for my housing.  

I am no stranger to learning how to achieve my dreams by overcoming obstacles and, now, with the help of Just in Time, I am one step closer to reaching my full potential academically.