🖐️ Meet Crystal:

Welcome, hello, and thank you for coming by. I can't fully express my gratitude that you're here reading my story without being here way too long. I got terrible news a couple days ago and it really rocked me. I urgently need help before it's too late and I can't fix it. I'll do my best to be brief but if my story resonates with you or moves you, please share it! I have a lot at stake, and I need a lot of help! $3,500 of help from the community. Thank you again for being here. Let's get into it.

My name is Crystal Burton, and at my core, I’m a woman who believes in second chances, hard work,and the power of rebuilding your life one step at a time. I’m a 45-year-old mother of five, a new grandmother, and a first-generation college student who has fought through challenges that could have broken me - but didn’t. I’m someone who gets back up, every single time, and keeps moving forward with faith, determination, and a quiet strength that comes from surviving what I once thought I wouldn’t. 

I value integrity, resilience, education, and family. I believe in showing upfor myself, my family, friends, and community,and for the future I’ve poured 4 years into building. I’m a recovering addict with some years into it, which makes my current dilemma even more troubling.

My experiences in life have shaped me into my current self, with honesty, humility, and gratitude guiding the way. I don’t take life, opportunity, or kindness for granted. I love nature and I try to enjoy it every chance I get.

When I chose to pursue my BBA, I was driven and disciplined, and that hasn't changed. I’ve earned a 3.63 GPA, made President’s List, Dean’s List, Honor Roll, and joined three honor societies. I love learning and I always have, but I made certain choices in life that took me in a different direction entirely for many years.

So, when I enrolled in the program at 41, I made myself a promise to earn my bachelor's then go back for a master's, too. I have not abandoned that promise, but without help I could be forced. I've shown up - and shown out - for myself without fail, but not without bumps in the road - any of which would have been enough to make me give up in the past. But for the last 4 years, nothing could deter me, until now, and it's purely financial. I can't afford this roadblock. 

Outside of school, I’m someone who enjoys writing, surfing the internet, cooking, exploring new ideas, watching movies, spending time with my family and friends when I can, and enjoying moments of peace and time outdoors with my fiancé and our son-dog, Gizmo.

I’m curious, thoughtful, and always looking for ways to grow. I love my country and community, connection, and conversations that matter. I’m the kind of person who cheers for others, listens closely and loves deeply, and who believes that everyone deserves a chance to rewrite their story.

I'm also a "text me to let me know you made it" kind of person.

Life has taught me that we all fall down at times. Nobody's past should define their future if they've put in the work to do better and be better.

The most important thing to know about me is that I refuse to give up. My tenacity has allowed me to rebuild my life from the ground up, and I’m committed to finishing my degree, especially now that I'm at the end of 4 years' worth of keeping this promise to myself and doing the work - all of it.

Building a career in life insurance, with agency ownership as the goal, and creating a future defined by stability, service, and purpose is where I've hung my hat.

I’m proud of how far I’ve come - and I’m grateful for every person who chooses to help me overcome this financial barrier so I can take these final two courses and the business capstone, then graduate.

A Quick, Broad Overview ✈️

What Must Be Paid 💸

I must either:

• Pay the full $2,577, or
• Pay a 20% down payment of $515.40and set up a payment plan

There are no alternative down‑payment options.

Why I’m Asking for $3,500 When the Balance is $2,577 💲🟰❓️

Your support will help me:

1. Pay the full outstanding balance
2. Avoid the strain of a payment plan on part‑time income
3. Preserve my three tuition awards
4. Cover remaining fees for my final courses and capstone
5. Stay continuously enrolled and graduate on time in December 2026
6. Prevent any future financial barriers from derailing my progress

Now Let's Get into the Full Story What's Going On: 🙈

I am an Honors studentat Strayer University, currently 88% of the way complete in my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management, with a major in Entrepreneurship and a minor in Marketing.When the summer quarter ends in less than three weeks, I will be at 93% completion and one quarter away from graduation.

I earned President’s List recognition throughout my first year, when I suddenly became homeless. I ended up failing two courses, two quarters in a row, due to not being able to keep my laptop and phone charged and no Wi-Fi available when they were.

That was the first time in my life I failed a class! I was in 'gifted' and advanced classes my entire school career. It was hard to swallow.

Despite experiencing a few longer stints of homelessness after that, I fought my way back to Honor Rolland now Dean’s List. 

I have also pressed on and exceled through a month at the VA Hospital Hospice wing as my father was dyingand taking on the very demanding care of my fiancé's mother after her stroke, moving from Florida to Alabama, and more. I refused to allow anything to stand in my way.

The photo below was after my dad passed, during his final salute. 👇️

If I can attend the fall quarter beginning October 5, 2026, I will complete my final two courses like I have all the others - worry free - then move on to the business capstone - the FINAL BOSS of my BBA.

I was already enrolled in those courses and ready to go, but a few days ago, I got two emails informing me those enrollments were canceled! Once this $2,577 balance is paid, I can return.

The Little Financial Emergency That Could… Invalidate my last 4 years with only massive debt to show for it 🤢😭

Last quarter, I was administratively withdrawn because I missed attendance. I t was my fault, but an accident- due to an error on my part. I was getting overwhelmed taking care of my fiancé's mom, and there were a few weeks I just didn't do anything for school. When I finally did go in and catch up, I only did the past-due stuff, specifically so I wouldn't be dropped for attendance.

Unfortunately, I didn't know that submitting late work doesn't count, and I was dropped from both courses the next day. That triggered a federal aid claw back. This left me with a surprise – and not the good kind - a $2,577 balance that is due immediately and has to be paid before I can attend my final two classes - set to begin on October 5, 2026.

If this balance remains unpaid by December 31, 2026, it will cause me to lose my remaining tuition awards, and since I don’t have enough financial aid funding or Pell grant funding available at this point, I’d also lose the ability to finish my degree- forever- unless I strike it rich before then, somehow. And since there is no lottery in Alabama, the chances of that are even less than they are for winning in the lottery.

But here's the worst part: I would still be left with over $50,000 in student loan debt and no degree to show for it - nothing to show for the last 4 years of showing up for myself, putting in the work, and reminding myself I'm worth it except a horrible credit rating from a mountain of debt and a whole lot of disappointment. 

I took on the debt willingly because with a bachelor's degree and the master's degree I was going for next, I'd have leverage for better positions with much better incomes. It was a trade-off I was willing to take with a degree in my hand. But when I'm 93% of the way to my degree and $2,577 ripped that away, I can't see myself being ok with that. No way!

That is a devastating reality I am fighting hard to avoid.

Getting help to pay this balance is my only hope,which brought me here to share my story with you. And I definitely appreciate that you are still here, reading it.

I cannot meet this financial requirement alone. It is outside my financial means on a part-time income.

Just a note: It says the balance due on 5/25/2026 in the image above 👆️ - that is the date I was withdrawn and the claw back happened. I was unaware of this balance until I saw the emails a couple days ago informing me that my course enrollments were canceled. 

Why This Balance Matters So Much 💵

Since 2022, I have earned seven tuition awards - each one representing three courses completed with passing grades. Four have already been used.

The remaining three awards will fully cover the tuition for my final degree requirements - ONLY IF I CAN GET THIS BALANCE PAID AND I'M ABLE TO ATTEND FALL QUARTER OCTOBER 5th.

But if I cannot attend fall quarter beginning October 5th, I will lose all three awards. Without them, I cannot afford to finish my degree at all.My student loans are nearly maxed out, and Pell grant funds are too, and I would not be able to cover tuition or fees on my own.

If I can't pay this balance, all  options , short of a MIRACLE, to be able to complete my 93% complete degree, move beyond my financial reach.

Four whole years of grit, tenacity, commitment, and effort would end up invalidated - essentially erased - over $2557. I can barely stomach the thought.

I will never be able to accept this scenario.

Once this balance is cleared, my Pell Grant and remaining federal aid should cover my books, technology fees, and any other costs for my final two courses. The university secured promise of those funds for the fall quarter in my 2026 Financial Aid Package. But Pell grants rarely cover everything, and my lifetime loan limit is within $4,000 of the federal maximum for undergraduates.

That is why my fundraiser goal is $3,500 instead of the $2,577 I need for the balance. I want to ensure I can also cover any fees not covered by financial aid, and to ensure that any new surprises will not stop my progress.

.

What Must Be Paid 💸

I must either:

•   Pay the full $2,577, or
• Pay a 20% down payment of $515.40and set up a payment plan

There are no alternative down‑payment options.

And since nobody can tell me how payments for the 80% remaining payments would be as far as dollar amounts or frequency, I can't even determine if I'd be able to make those payments. I can't afford to pay $515.40 as a down payment, so if I somehow got the money down and went into a payment plan just to find out I can't afford the payments, I'll be right back where I am now.  

At this point, the payment plan is a non-option. 

My Journey and My Commitment 👩‍🎓

For four years, I have shown up and showed out for myself with consistency, grit, and determination.

Today, I am more than 2½ years clean, working part‑time, and committed to earning my degree and advancing my career in the life insurance industry — a field I chose because it aligns beautifully with MY PURPOSE: to help others protect their families during life’s hardest moments.

Finishing this degree is not just about a diploma for me. It is about honoring the promise I made to myself in 2022 — a promise I have faithfully kept every quarter for four years now.

It is also about securing a career that allows me to support my family, serve my community, and build a future that reflects the woman I have worked so hard to become. And it has reminded me that I am worth it.

Why I’m Asking for $3,500 When the Balance is $2,577 💲🟰❓️

Your support will help me:

1. Pay the full outstanding balance
2. Avoid the strain of a payment plan on part‑time income
3. Preserve my three tuition awards
4. Cover remaining fees for my final courses and capstone
5. Stay continuously enrolled and graduate on time in December 2026
6. Prevent any future financial barriers from derailing my progress

Why This Matters 💯

I have fought through addiction, homelessness, instability, and setbacks that could have ended my education many times. But I kept going. I kept choosing myself. I kept choosing growth. I kept choosing to win. I deserve the best future I am able to curate for myself, and I credit the last four years for reminding me of that fact. After my years of struggling with addiction, I was beginning to question if I had it in me to see things that matter through anymore. I do.

That is why this is so important, and why I am humbly asking for help, because I truly need it. I'm not someone who normally asks for help, but I learned in some of my darkest days that sometimes you just have to swallow your pride and ask. This is one of those times. 

This bears repeating: If I cannot pay this balance, I will lose my chance to graduate and be left with massive student loan debt, no degree, and no options outside of a miracle to go back and finish it later.

That is a nightmare I am determined not to face. I could never be ok with that reality. 

If you are able to donate, share, or spread the word, it would mean more than I can express.

I know that many people are financially struggling right now. And I know it's not anybody else's responsibility to bail me outof a situation that I caused, be it accidentally. But I also know it is unacceptable to go out without a fight, and if I did, it would eat at me for years. I have to do whatever I can to finish what I started.

Remember, I told you, the most important thing to know about me is that I'm tenacious. It wasn't an understatement by any means. I'm also stubborn, and that combination won't allow me to just accept that I can't pay the balance and move on. I. Just. Can't. That doesn't exist in me (and thank God it doesn't!)

SO HERE IS MY ASK: 

1. DONATE if you are able - even a few dollars can help and they all add up!
2. SHARE my story with your friends and on social media. Someone you share it with could be the person to help me most! Even if you are someone who BLESSED ME with a donation, SHARE it everywhere you can! I need all the help 
3. PRAY, pray, and pray some more that I am able to meet my goal and finish strong, and I will pray as well, for me and my brothers and sisters in Christ.

I feel like I could never thank you enough but thank you again for taking the time to learn my story, and for helping me protect the progress I’ve earned.

Your support gives me hope and determination as I take these final steps toward graduation.

Stay Blessed, friends. I appreciate you.

– Crystal Burton ❤️