Fund a First-Gen SEMO Grad's PhD Dream

I graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in August 2023 with an M.A. in Historic Preservation. In August, I will be moving to Illinois to start a PhD in History at Northern Illinois University. I have been working towards this goal for the better part of a decade, but as a first-generation low-income student, being accepted into a program such as this seemed like a distant hope. Now, instead of being excited and proud of myself for this achievement, I am under enormous amounts of pressure and stress, worrying about how to make this move economically possible.

There’s never been a time in my academic career when I haven’t worried about money and now is certainly no different. Since accepting my offer from NIU in March, I have been working to make this move economically feasible. However, I am on Medicaid and just finished an internship that paid barely enough to make ends meet, while being a student for the past decade, as well as a caregiver for both my parents, has left me with little opportunity to secure lucrative employment or build a healthy savings account. Now, I need to secure $5,000 by next month to make this move possible. Unfortunately, the university only gives relocation assistance to regular employees; TAs such as myself don’t qualify and I won’t receive my first stipend payment until mid-September. Insurance coverage also doesn’t start until my employment begins and then there will be fairly high deductibles.

At this point, I’m worried that without help, I won't be able to start my graduate studies with my basic needs covered. I have no safety net to fall back on, so I'm turning to everyone who has cheered me on during this journey to offer support as I take this next giant step toward my future career goals. Whether you contribute or share my story, I am immensely grateful for your support. Thank you.