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Community Assistance Needed [1]

['Greg Dworkin', 'Lefty Coaster', 'The Marti']

Date: 2026-09-28  

I am currently in my final semester needed to obtain my undergraduate degree in History at California State University, Bakersfield. I have an emphasis in Public History and hope to go on to complete a Master’s and Ph.D to become a Historian. This is a big dream. Made possible by California’s free community college program and automatic transfer to a state university. I am a non-traditional student at the age of 57 and disabled on a fixed SSDI income. I wanted to go to college when I was young but parents aren’t required to assist with tuition and wouldn’t complete the FAFSA application either. If my memory serves me correctly and it does, my mother told me she didn’t feel comfortable sharing her information. I’m no bitter, it was a different time and this is a story many young adults share but I wanted to share how I got here. Life, children, and work occupied my life until I turned 50 and was declared disabled.

What piqued my interest in History was solving a mystery of my own. I had been diagnosed with an extremely rare disease and my insurance company wouldn’t approve me for a treatment due to the fact I had no family history of the disease. Well folks that’s a ridiculous catch 22 adopted children find themselves in. Insurance demanded a family history from a person that legally has none. So after watching how genealogist caught the Golden State Killer, I though, hey if they can do it then so can I so I set out with a vial of spit and the Ancestry service to find who could be my biological parents. It took about a year but I was successful and found both biological parents. Although it wasn’t my intention to build a relationship with them, I happily and uncomfortably found both sides welcoming. Also my genetic mystery was solved and yes I did carry a genetic mutation for the disease. Sadly, so does one of my daughters. All of this to say that I had turned into a research blood hound. I love the process of research to complete a scholarship puzzle and to explain history to others. I did the research and found that there isn’t an age limit on college attendance and this has been a dream since I was a teenager wanting to attend Georgetown.

Which brings us to today…..I have been paying for school with Pell and Cal grants which have covered my tuition up to this semester but got a rude awakening when I was told that I have exhausted both programs because I did summer school to try to graduate on time. The cost of attendance and mandatory fees/books are approximately $5000 per semester. I have managed to get most of the cost covered but with the idea of supplementing the costs with the federal work program. Unfortunately, due to my non-traditional, disabled student I have not found a job with the college work program. Age/disability discrimination is real. Now I have a short fall and someone broke into my car last week and stole my IPad and glasses I need for school. I am looking to raise $1500 to be able to replace the Ipad, glasses and put a dent in my Electricity bill that is a whopping $800.

I’m looking to raise this money through friends and if you are able to help it would be greatly appreciated.

Zell Image

paypal.me/SCarpio

Venmo @Stacey-Carpio

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/9/28/800104971/community/community-assitance-needed/

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