Ferg & Family Fund: Social Work School & Financial Support!

Hello Everyone,

My name is Ferg, and I am a dedicated social work graduate student at Columbia University from London, England. I am currently pursuing a degree in the United States, as my experience in the UK has inspired me to further my education in a new environment. I hope to focus my career on policy work, as I have experience advocating for marginalized individuals and am passionate about improving the systems that communities have inherited. I am reaching out to you today with an earnest request to help me finish my degree and support my young family.

I am incredibly fortunate to have been awarded a Fulbright scholarship, which has been instrumental in getting me this far. However, this generous support does not cover the expenses required to complete my final year of school. I face additional financial challenges as an international student; for example, the limitations of my visa as well as childcare responsibilities prohibit my wife and I from gainful and legal employment, and I am unable to take out student loans.

My wife and I have a beautiful ten-month-old baby, and we are doing everything we can to provide a stable and loving environment for our child while I pursue my studies. Balancing the demands of my rigorous academic program, which requires high-stress work as an unpaid social work intern in addition to a full course load, and the responsibilities of being a new parent is no easy task. Ultimately, I remain committed to achieving my dream of becoming a social worker and making a positive impact on our community while also being able to provide for my family.

Unfortunately, this is a time-sensitive issue, as according to Columbia University policies I am unable to defer my education more than once. The first instance of my deferment was related to the health and well-being of my son as well as my wife’s childbirth experience. When I received my acceptance, I had to make the difficult decision of deferring my enrollment and was made aware that that was the only time I could do so.

My current financial predicament is further compounded by unforeseen medical expenditures arising from my spouse's hospitalization due to sepsis and MRSA. This unexpected financial strain exacerbates our already precarious financial position, limiting our capacity to mitigate these escalating financial challenges.

Lastly, I must stress the lack of emotional and financial support from Columbia University. From the beginning of my application process and subsequent engagements with Columbia University, Fulbright, and the Institute of International Education (IIE), I explicitly communicated to the school that I would need supplementary funding to complete my education. Columbia’s Office of Financial Aid relayed to me that there were several ways in which this funding could be provided, which was pivotal in my decision to enroll and relocate my family to a new country. These options have now been revoked mere weeks before the beginning of my final year, putting my academic and professional future at risk and breaking the agreed terms.

The funds raised through this campaign will be used to cover tuition fees (including essential textbooks and study materials) for the final year of my program.

Your support will not only help me graduate in May 2025 but also ensure that my family has the stability we need during this crucial time for my son’s development. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a significant difference and bring us closer to our goal.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and consider a contribution. Your generosity will have a lasting impact on our lives and the communities we hope to serve in the future.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Ferg & Family