Chapter 3
When my coworkers found out I’d gotten into a prestigious university, they were completely floored.]
During lunch break, everyone was chatting and shooting the breeze.
One coworker joked: “If I’d done as well as you on those tests, my parents would’ve put me on a pedestal.“[]
“You sure you weren’t adopted? How could they be so heartless?“[]
I smiled sadly. I wished I was adopted.]]
At least then it wouldn’t hurt so much.
But my face was basically a carbon copy of Mom’s–we wouldn’t need a DNA test to prove I was definitely hers.[]
An older coworker came over and patted my shoulder consolingly:
“Kiddo, depending on yourself isn’t so bad. Getting real–world experience early, growing up fast–that’s good.”
“Maybe your mom’s going through something tough?”
What could someone as controlling as her possibly be struggling with?
I mentally rolled my eyes while keeping my expression neutral.]
All the hurt I’d been bottling up suddenly found an outlet.]
Fine, let’s say she’s going through something.
Being self–reliant is pretty great!]
I’m working a summer job here for two months and can earn $3,000.]
If I perform well, there’s even a $500 bonus. That would cover my entire first year of college living expenses, and the rest could go toward tuition.
Once I get to college, I’ll look for part–time work and gradually pay back some of the tuition costs.
Looking at it that way, the future didn’t seem so bleak.]]
The experienced workers mentioned that universities have need–based aid and merit scholarships, plus you can apply for student loans.
Her son was taking the SATs this year too, but barely scraped by with mediocre scores–only got into a regular state school.
She was still thrilled about it though.||
“The better the school, the more money they give you.”
“If my kid had grades like yours, I’d sell everything I owned to support him.“]
With my coworkers‘ encouragement. I felt more and more confident.]]
My future’s definitely going to get better and better.
When the break ended, I stepped onto my university campus just like I’d hoped.]
The factory owner, after learning about my SAT scores, even gave me a sponsorship bonus.
And just like that, I actually managed to pay off all my tuition! What’s more, I still had almost $750 left over.
First thing I did at college was research all the different need–based aid and merit scholarships I could qualify for.]
But when I went to apply for financial aid, I was told I didn’t meet the assistance requirements.[]
The advisor handling aid distribution glared at me furiously: “Students like you are just plain greedy.“]
“Character matters just as much as grades–college is about building moral integrity too.“]
I was stunned. How was applying for $650 in poverty assistance making me greedy?
I argued back: “What gives you the right to say that? I’m not trying to scam anyone.”
The advisor sneered: “Still playing dumb? We found large transfers in your bank account.
Recently, the school had cracked down hard on financial aid fraud.
Tuns of rich kids had been pretending to be poor to get assistance money.
Once they got the cash, they’d blow it on designer shoes and bags, then post about it online.[]
One notorious rich kid at school had somehow gotten aid too.[]
He’d bragged on Tik Tok that the money wouldn’t even cover his family’s dog food budget–all he had to do was make up some sob stories, play the victim, and they just handed him free money.[]
Meanwhile, students who actually needed help missed out because they didn’t know how to work the system.[]
Someone screenshot his post and it went viral, causing a massive uproar.[]
Students from universities everywhere started calling out how their aid programs were just subsidizing spoiled rich kids.[]
Really poor students didn’t even know this money existed.]
School administrators saw the backlash and held special meetings to fix the mess-
This round of poverty assistance screening was especially strict–they even checked students‘ bank accounts and transaction histories.]
But… Those four words “large transfers” hit me really like a thunderclap!]
I stared at him, confused: “What transfers? I
7 I only h
have one bank account with abou
$750 left in it.“]
“That’s from my summer job wages.”
When the advisor saw I wouldn’t come clean, he pulled out evidence.[]
“This Citibank card ending in 8890 had $200,000 transferred into it a year ago.““]
“It’s in your name. Still gonna deny it?“]
