She has set up a GoFundMe campaign, Bowen Goes to College (http://www.gofundme.com/858jkg). It is seeking donations — the goal is $8,000 — to meet the high school grads’ needs. More than 90 percent of the school’s students come from low-income homes, and so costs that might not seem a lot to you or me can be a real deal-breaker for them when it comes to attending college. The majority of the students are going to be the first person in their families to attend college, so their parents — who sometimes are hesitant to have their child go away anyway — often don’t know how to guide their child if something goes awry.
Sometimes it’s a room deposit fee, or a bus ticket to get there. Or the student doesn’t own a suitcase or have bedding.
“Some of these obstacles can seem tremendous if you don’t have the guidance,” Abdullah said.