Maya stood in front of the local library's community board, staring at a flyer for the "Pay It Forward" scholarship. It offered $1,000 for a short essay, and for Maya, that money meant more than just a textbook—it was a step toward a future she wasn't sure her family could afford.
Maya had quickly learned that finding money required a multi-pronged "hustle": money for college
Her journey to find "money for college" had started months ago, and it was more complex than she’d ever imagined. Like 74% of parents today, her mother had tried to save, but hidden expenses like tech, travel, and Greek life meant that tuition was often only half the true cost. Maya stood in front of the local library's