Goksu's University Tuition
Donation protected
Dear friends, family and thoughtful strangers,
I’m a self taught artist (see artwork on my website ) from Turkey who moved to San Francisco at the age of 18. I didn’t know anyone and it was really challenging, in fact it still is since I still support myself. I came on my own because of my drive to achieve U.S. education in Graphic Design. In the first 2 years of school I obtained an Associate’s Degree and was recently admitted to San Francisco State University for Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design. However, I am not able to afford any 4-year university because of recent financial issues. If you know me you know my burning desire to create, give back to the LGBTQ and art communities, as well as my passion for education. If you don’t know me, please take 5 minutes of your time to possibly save 4 years of my life.
My journey started when my passion for graphic design began to turn into a professional goal. I decided to pursue education in Graphic Communication Design and moved to the U.S. to start college. Wide range of sources in educational institutes, passionate people who care about the importance of art and design, value of personal expressionism, variety of opportunities to grow as an expressionist - are the reasons why I decided on U.S. for higher education. Oddly, art schools in Turkey lack the passion and expression in teaching or focus on the historical importance of art. In short, there is little opportunity to become a working artist. Art in Turkey is not taken seriously as a subject or a career. In fact, it is seen as one of the least important things you can contribute to society. Which makes me incredibly sad and frustrated to know that as an artist I will most likely never be taken seriously.
After 2 years of studying at Foothill College, I successfully completed general education courses and obtained an Associates Degree in Art. Within the first three months of my education I was offered a role of Graphic Designer at my school. Within a year, thanks to my self-taught design skills, I was promoted to Lead Designer and was honored to receive a Certificate of Recognition. The graphic design experience I gained at Foothill College, proactive self improvement and the encouragement of my mentors resulted in another Graphic Designer role at a Silicon Valley startup, during my second year of college.
I worked really hard for these opportunities and will do anything it takes to succeed in this field.
However, two quarters before graduation, my parents told me they could no longer contribute to my education because the economy collapse in Turkey (see chart below for Turkey’s economic status since 2014).
This simply meant that I won’t be able to transfer to a 4-year university. Nonetheless, I was going to do whatever it takes to get the education I worked so hard to gain. I paid off my international college fees (about $6,000) by myself while struggling with living in one of the most expensive cities, SF, and other educational expenses in the last year of school.
By the end of the year I decided to take a gap year to work in order to pay for the completion of my education.
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. First, I ended up in the emergency room needing tooth surgery for which I had to pay out of pocket. This meant - I now couldn’t afford rent. Therefore, I had to take the first job I could get just to pay for my room, which doesn’t help me save for tuition.
While looking for the job that would help me save for college, which is three times more than for a U.S. student, I’m doing additional freelance design work. In short, I’m working as much as legally allowed by my visa. Also a loan or financial aid is not an option for an international student.
It’s hard to admit, but even after taking this year to work I will fail to accomplish my goal of saving the first year’s tuition of $15,000. According to my calculations I will only have $4,000.
As a result, if I can’t continue to a 4-year university by February 2018, I will be asked to leave the U.S. and wherever I end up my education will be thrown back by 2 years.
Most painfully, on top of getting scholarship from my dream school California College of the Arts and Savanah College of the Arts and Design, being accepted for the Bachelors of Science in Graphic Design program at San Francisco State University I won’t be able to attend any of them because of my financial status.
I am here to request help with tuition of my dream school while I continue working as a freelance graphic designer and my internship at Art Primo SF. I would also like to give a sticker from my recent collection to each donation over $150, art print for each donation that’s over $250, and a t-shirt of your choice for each donation over $500.
My future goals are Bachelor of Science Graphic Design and Minor in Art History.
Other plans - continued support of the local artists, international students and LGBTQ community with my art.
Here are some documents to support my story:
Cost of attendance for SF State for one year:
Tuition for California College of the Arts:
Scholarship letter from CCA:
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story whether or not you choose to help support my education, I really appreciate your time and consideration. Please also check out my website to see my work at www.goksuilgaz.com
I’m a self taught artist (see artwork on my website ) from Turkey who moved to San Francisco at the age of 18. I didn’t know anyone and it was really challenging, in fact it still is since I still support myself. I came on my own because of my drive to achieve U.S. education in Graphic Design. In the first 2 years of school I obtained an Associate’s Degree and was recently admitted to San Francisco State University for Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design. However, I am not able to afford any 4-year university because of recent financial issues. If you know me you know my burning desire to create, give back to the LGBTQ and art communities, as well as my passion for education. If you don’t know me, please take 5 minutes of your time to possibly save 4 years of my life.
My journey started when my passion for graphic design began to turn into a professional goal. I decided to pursue education in Graphic Communication Design and moved to the U.S. to start college. Wide range of sources in educational institutes, passionate people who care about the importance of art and design, value of personal expressionism, variety of opportunities to grow as an expressionist - are the reasons why I decided on U.S. for higher education. Oddly, art schools in Turkey lack the passion and expression in teaching or focus on the historical importance of art. In short, there is little opportunity to become a working artist. Art in Turkey is not taken seriously as a subject or a career. In fact, it is seen as one of the least important things you can contribute to society. Which makes me incredibly sad and frustrated to know that as an artist I will most likely never be taken seriously.
After 2 years of studying at Foothill College, I successfully completed general education courses and obtained an Associates Degree in Art. Within the first three months of my education I was offered a role of Graphic Designer at my school. Within a year, thanks to my self-taught design skills, I was promoted to Lead Designer and was honored to receive a Certificate of Recognition. The graphic design experience I gained at Foothill College, proactive self improvement and the encouragement of my mentors resulted in another Graphic Designer role at a Silicon Valley startup, during my second year of college.
I worked really hard for these opportunities and will do anything it takes to succeed in this field.
However, two quarters before graduation, my parents told me they could no longer contribute to my education because the economy collapse in Turkey (see chart below for Turkey’s economic status since 2014).
This simply meant that I won’t be able to transfer to a 4-year university. Nonetheless, I was going to do whatever it takes to get the education I worked so hard to gain. I paid off my international college fees (about $6,000) by myself while struggling with living in one of the most expensive cities, SF, and other educational expenses in the last year of school.
By the end of the year I decided to take a gap year to work in order to pay for the completion of my education.
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. First, I ended up in the emergency room needing tooth surgery for which I had to pay out of pocket. This meant - I now couldn’t afford rent. Therefore, I had to take the first job I could get just to pay for my room, which doesn’t help me save for tuition.
While looking for the job that would help me save for college, which is three times more than for a U.S. student, I’m doing additional freelance design work. In short, I’m working as much as legally allowed by my visa. Also a loan or financial aid is not an option for an international student.
It’s hard to admit, but even after taking this year to work I will fail to accomplish my goal of saving the first year’s tuition of $15,000. According to my calculations I will only have $4,000.
As a result, if I can’t continue to a 4-year university by February 2018, I will be asked to leave the U.S. and wherever I end up my education will be thrown back by 2 years.
Most painfully, on top of getting scholarship from my dream school California College of the Arts and Savanah College of the Arts and Design, being accepted for the Bachelors of Science in Graphic Design program at San Francisco State University I won’t be able to attend any of them because of my financial status.
I am here to request help with tuition of my dream school while I continue working as a freelance graphic designer and my internship at Art Primo SF. I would also like to give a sticker from my recent collection to each donation over $150, art print for each donation that’s over $250, and a t-shirt of your choice for each donation over $500.
My future goals are Bachelor of Science Graphic Design and Minor in Art History.
Other plans - continued support of the local artists, international students and LGBTQ community with my art.
Here are some documents to support my story:
Cost of attendance for SF State for one year:
Tuition for California College of the Arts:
Scholarship letter from CCA:
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story whether or not you choose to help support my education, I really appreciate your time and consideration. Please also check out my website to see my work at www.goksuilgaz.com
Organizer
Göksu Ilgaz Koçakcıgil
Organizer
San Francisco, CA
