Kristina's father's long and painful battle with brain cancer brought her family to a place of much emotional and financial struggle. As a result during her freshman year in high school, Kristina was told by her mother that she would need to figure how to pay for her college education herself.

She buckled down and gathered a plethora of information on what it takes to win college scholarships, thanks in great part to her mother's consistent encouragement and her sheer determination. Then with years of tenacity and preparation, she won over $500,000 in scholarships to go to the school of her dreams—debt-free!