At 19, Shadae Riley has already earned the opportunity she prayed for.

After seven years at The Hampton School, eight CSEC subjects, including seven grade ones, and CAPE Unit One results of three grade twos and one grade one, the Manchester teen received her acceptance letter in May to study law at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. For Riley and her mother, it was supposed to be a moment of pure joy.

“I was thrilled to know I got accepted to the Faculty of Law and my mom was excited as well,” Riley told THE WEEKEND STAR. But the excitement has since been followed by weeks of uncertainty. The semester is expected to begin in August, and although Riley has applied for scholarships, she has not received any responses. With tuition, boarding and other school-related costs ahead of her, she is fearful that the opportunity she worked so hard for could slip away before she even enters the classroom.