MORE Great News, and further developments...

Well, folks, I know you are getting tired of congratulating me :), but I just found out that I received the Gilman Scholarship for $5000! This is the one that tips the balance! I'm now (almost - pending paperwork) officially going to TOKYO!!!!!!

I've so far raised about $30K out of the $40K needed for the whole shebang, and I have enough to cover the tuition.... This was the key thing keeping me from being able to confirm my acceptance to Sophia University, since I would have forfeited a $1700 deposit if I could not raise the money to go. In reality, I've not paid any deposit, but it's deferral is contingent upon proof that I have the financial aid to cover the program fee - and now I do!

The next step is to hurry up and buy a plane ticket, proof of which is required to certify my scholarship awards. The certification of the awards will allow UMaine to vouch for my financial aid status, which in turn will make possible the deferment of the program fee until the aid is released (sometime in October). All of this has to happen before the cut-off date to confirm my acceptance at Sophia! I guess it should be no surprise how circular all of this bureaucratic stuff can be - it seems like they must get together and scheme up ways to make it all as difficult as possible.

So I guess this is it! (Deep breath!)

The last hurdle, and most difficult part, is finding a way to borrow the rest as an alternative student loan, since my Stafford eligibilities are maxed out for this year already... So far, I've had no luck and very little encouragement in finding a bank who will consider me for a loan. I've found some inaccuracies on my credit report which might be a factor, and I'm trying to get them fixed, but anyone who's had that problem will know that it is not an easy process, if you can even prove that the info is wrong. In the meantime, if anyone is willing/able to co-sign a student loan with me to cover what I cannot raise over the summer, I would be so greatful! I know it's more than a huge favor to ask, but it might be the only possibility of covering the balance...

I am still working on getting the "comprehensive" :) website finished, and wow! what a load of work! I never guessed how much info I've been carrying around in my head in relative chaos until I sat down to organize it all and make it 'browse-able'. But it won't be long before it's (mostly) available. I'll send out a mass email with links at that point...

Until then, cross your fingers for me!

-Alicia