Aspiring Veterinarian Seeks Help with Tuition

Kayla Ahlstrand knows her dream of becoming a veterinarian will come at a price.

The Lake Bluff resident, who graduated from Lake Forest College in 2012, estimates that veterinary school tuition will cost her between $100,000 and $300,000 over the course of four years.

That's why she's reaching out to the public to ask for assistance in footing the cost of her education.

"My goal is to reach out to as many people as possible and to graduate with as little debt as possible," she told Patch.

She outlines her story on GoFundMe, where supporters can contribute toward her goal of raising $200,000. As of Dec. 17, she'd collected $100.

"It may also shock you that vet school graduates' starting salaries is only about $45K. If you ask any veterinarian why they chose this career, his/her #1 answer is probably NOT for the money. It's ensuring animal (and human!) health," she explains on her campaign page.

This just a one of the many local fundraising campaigns hosted on GoFundMe, a Patch partner. Click through the link above for more information, or visit GoFundMe to search for other campaigns.