Several years ago, my two children were in high school. I knew both desired to go to college. Unfortunately, my situation was the same as many parents when supporting our children's dreams to attend college. My income could not support their desire to go to college without accumulating student loan debt. My employer has one of the best education benefits packages any employer offers, paid college tuition for your children. However, I was financially responsible for room/board, out-of-state fees, and books. The expenses add up fairly quickly, and I knew I couldn't afford it. I prayed and asked God to bless my children to get through school with no student loan debt. My oldest child attended a Christian college. My tuition benefits covered his tuition. In addition, he was awarded a Merit scholarship that covered his dorm and books. God blessed my youngest son with a full athletic scholarship to a division-1 university. His scholarship covered tuition, room/board, and books. During my son's last year of college (in the middle of football season), he quit the football team. Although I didn't want him to quit, my biggest concern was his tuition fees. I could not afford to pay the full tuition plus the additional fees, which added up to $22,900.00 a semester. My son's athletic scholarship paid his tuition, room/board, and books at the end of the first semester. I felt relieved and blessed. However, during the winter break, I was worried and quite concerned I might have to pay for the second semester. My mind consumed me with how can I pay the $22,900 tuition fee. I didn't want him to drop out of college during his last semester or apply for a student loan. After the winter break, my son went back to school. I wasn't sure if I was going to receive a bill. A month later, I received a statement via email. I said to myself. I knew it. I couldn't view the bill because I never set up my account as a parent. I called my son. He said, "Oh, I lost a book, and I didn't turn in my iPad because I left it on the plane." Thank God someone turned in the iPad. The airline shipped the iPad to my home. After a few months passed, I received another email. View your bill. I assumed it was for the lost book, and everything would be alright if I paid the bill before the graduation date. At the end of the school year, I received a final bill, stating f the invoice was not paid in full by June 28th his graduation date would change. I called the school and spoke with someone in the bursar's office. The next day the football coach called and said, Ms. Johnson, your son's bill is $865.00, but we have reduced it to $465.00 (Won't God Do It!). I paid the balance, and my son received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication with no student loan debt. I was so worried about the bill I forgot about my initial prayer that I had prayed before he started college. God reminded me, He heard me the first time I asked. ALL GLORY BELONGS TO GOD.
