Help me fund the last year of my degree

Hi everyone, I want to start by saying thank you so much for taking time to read about my situation and why I am needing to crowdfund for my university tuition.


THE BACK STORY
In 2016, I decided to change my life completely by moving from Florida to London to chase my dreams. Initially, my financial situation was very healthy. I had been provided with a U.S. federal loan which covered both my tuition and costs of living. 

As circumstances changed, I was made aware that this loan would not be available to me beyond my foundation year.  I was definitely not ready to abandon the path I started on so, even knowing that there may be financial challenges ahead, I decided to continue toward finishing my degree. 

For the 2 years following my foundation, my course fees were partially covered by US federal loans, and I would come out of pocket to pay the amount that was not covered (approximately £2000). Considering that I was living on a part time income, I was struggling each year to pay the amount, but I have somehow managed to still make it happen by pleading my case to my university’s help desk, and asking for payment deadline extensions. Now, as my 3rd year approaches, I have maximised on US federal loans and therefore have to pay the full course fee (£12000) out of pocket.  

As the only U.S. international student on my course, my circumstance is different to those around me and so it has been difficult to find advice on my situation. I am ineligible to receive any type of loan, government benefits, overdrafts, and/or credit cards whilst I am classified as Tier 4 visa student.
 
Due to my visa work-hours restriction, I am limited on the amount of income I can actually make. Without any financial assistance, or familial support in the U.K., I am unable to fund my final year of studies.

Achieving my crowdfunding goal would substantially make a difference in my ability to finish my course.  


 --------------- FAQs ---------------


Why is studying fashion important to me?

I believe that creating and expressing, in any format, is a vital part to self-discovery. In my studies, I have come into an understanding that fashion represents more than just what we wear but that it is closely related to identity, purpose, history, and future. 

Creating and sharing is how I express who I am. Learning how to better my expression and sharing what I have learned is also helping other people. On a weekly basis, I receive messages from young people all around the world who are interested in creating fashion but hesitant to do so because of what their family or friends may think. I want to break this stigma and empower young people to be creative and embrace their feelings towards what they love. The world needs creatives, needs expression, needs people sharing their gifts and I see fashion as one way of accomplishing that.

I am very grateful to everyone who has supported me thus far (my family in America, my local and distant friends, and my tutors here in London). Despite the rough patches of this journey, my experiences have been unbelievably rewarding and enlightening, more than anything else. 


Is there no family to help me?
I moved from Florida to London by myself, so I do not have family or a strong support system in the U.K. I do have my mother in America who is a great support to me.

How much does my final year of uni cost?
Tuition (just the course): £12,000 [or $15,000]
Material Costs (fabric, etc): £500 [or $630]

How do I afford to live in London?
I currently work 2 jobs (one full time & one part time) across 7 days of the week. This income covers my rent, travel, daily expenses and such.

When uni begins, I am only able to work 1 of those jobs on a part time basis. 

Fortunately, my part time income will cover the majority of my monthly living expenses, but my income is not substantial enough for me to save to pay my course fees. 

The GoFundMe support would cover only a chunk of what is actually to be paid, while I work and scrape together any type of savings to pay the difference.

Have I considered taking out non student loans?
I have applied for personal loans but they are not available to me due to limited credit history in the U.K. and lack of a U.K. guarantor. 


What about scholarships?
I have applied for scholarships from my university and some external providers. There is very limited financial support for international students.

In my 1st year, I was a recipient of the Ede and Ravenscroft Award from my university, which is awarded to students who demonstrate considerable improvement from their foundation year to first year. This award was applied to my tuition and helped me to complete the payment of my course fees.

The challenge is that the majority of funding from my university is only available to 1st year students, and so there was no funding available in my 2nd year, nor will there be in my 3rd year.


What comes after I finish my degree?
My ideal post-university life would include a graduate role as a junior designer or design assistant. I would prefer to work for a brand whose design style I admire,  and has company values that I respect. I want to continue to reside in the United Kingdom. I know that this is the best place for me to begin my career, having completed my fashion education in the U.K.

I also plan to continue using social media to connect with, inspire, and help other young people who have a dream of moving to another country or pursuing fashion as their career. For the past three years, I have created and shared videos of my experience as an international fashion student. This has connected me to a large group of potential students and I have been able to advise them based on my own personal experience and challenges. 

Is it possible to send money in other ways?
Yes of course! Please get in touch with me through email - [email redacted]


If you can help by contributing a donation of any amount, it would make a significant difference. To those that want to donate but are unable, if you could please share this fundraiser so that it may reach a person who can, and that is equally as valuable. Thank you so much