A Flutist’s Journey: Help Me Finish My Master’s Degree

Hi! I’m Karina—a passionate musician, lifelong learner, and United States Marine Corps veteran from Pennsylvania, currently living my dream in Norway while pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music Performance. Now I’m humbly asking for your support.

Music has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember, from singing in church choirs and musicals to playing in multiple school bands. My love for music took me down unexpected paths – including a four-year enlistment as a flutist with the US Marine Corps Band when I was just 18. The military path allowed me to travel the world, live in Japan, become a better leader, and become financially independent at a young age, ultimately providing me with invaluable life experiences that changed the trajectory of my life forever.

I served honorably in the Marine Corps for four years before taking the next step in my musical journey and pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Flute Performance at Montclair State University. During my junior year of college, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad at the University of Agder (UIA) in Kristiansand, Norway. It was truly a life changing experience, and this is where I had exponential musical growth. With the support of the GI Bill and the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, I embraced this adventure, which became the most formative period of my musical career.

Norway has been my home ever since. Having recognized my musical discipline and eagerness to learn during my semester abroad, my Norwegian flute teacher encouraged me to stay in Kristiansand and complete the final year of my Bachelor’s Degree with him. I did, and in spring 2024, I proudly graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance from the UIA. Following a successful audition, I was accepted into the Master’s Program in Music Performance at UIA, with the dream of deepening my skills and exploring ways to build a career abroad.

However, a new Norwegian law requires foreign students to pay full tuition. This change took effect hastily and has caused challenges for many. I’ve been using the GI Bill to cover the 2024-2025 academic year, but by the end of that, I’ll have exhausted my education benefits. I still have one more year of my master’s program to complete, and tuition costs roughly 415,000 NOK ($37,500) annually. This is where I need your help.

I am grateful to have experienced both the American and Norwegian/European university models and especially grateful for the financial support I receive as a US veteran. I am humbly asking for your financial assistance in funding the last year of my college education. Tuition is currently 415,000 NOK ($37,500) per year. My goal is to raise $10,000. I’ve come so far, and your generosity will make all the difference in allowing me to finish this chapter of my musical journey. Every contribution, no matter the size, gets me closer to my goal! Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

How You Can Help:

I’m deeply grateful for the support I’ve received along the way from friends, family, and my incredible community. Your support means the world to me.

Below are the most common questions I receive. Scroll to the end for the "Too Long Didn't Read" summary.

Frequently Asked Questions

As an international student in Norway, I’m required to pay full tuition for my Master’s Degree in Music Performance. While I’ve used the GI Bill to cover my first year, I no longer have benefits available for my final year. The tuition cost is approximately 415,000 NOK ($37,500) per year. Read more here:

https://schengen.news/norway-introduces-tuition-fees-for-international-students/

https://www.uia.no/english/studies/how-to-apply/tuition-fees/

My goal is to raise $10,000 to help cover a portion of my tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year. Any additional funds will be used for living expenses such as rent, visa renewal, and materials needed for my studies.

https://schengen.news/norway-introduces-tuition-fees-for-international-students/

Norway recently introduced tuition fees for non-EU/EEA international students, a decision that took effect beginning in fall 2023. This decision came from the Norwegian government – not by the University of Agder. Previously, education in Norway was tuition-free for international students, but this has changed. Tuition is approximately $37,500 per year for foreign students like me.

No, it isn’t possible for me to be grandfathered out of the tuition fees.

Studying in Norway has allowed me to work with world-class musicians and experience music education beyond the United States. The cultural exchange and international experience have also broadened my musical perspective; I’ve worked with students and teachers from Norway, Brazil, Sweden, Denmark, South Korea, China, Hungary, Slovakia, Italy, Germany, Armenia, Albania, and more!

Unfortunately, my university does not offer scholarships to cover tuition for international students. You can read more on the UIA website here:

https://www.uia.no/english/studies/how-to-apply/tuition-fees/

I’m using the GI Bill for the 2024-2025 academic year, but I will have exhausted all benefits by the time I enter my final year in fall 2025.

No, it isn't possible for me to extend my benefits. The new VA policy only offers extensions to veterans who served two term (meaning if you re-enlisted). I served one term, so I don't qualify! Read more here:

https://news.va.gov/137500/veterans-may-eligible-one-year-g-i-bill-benefits/#:~:text=Specifically%2C%20Veterans%20who%20served%20at,a%20total%20of%2048%20months).

Yes, I am applying for VRE. However, VRE is not guaranteed to every veteran who qualifies for the program. Also, it is unlikely that the VA would approve my request in time to pay UIA by September - so I do not want to rely on this method to pay for everything!

Yes! Unfortunately, most scholarships require that students attend accredited US institutions, which disqualifies me. I’ve searched extensively for alternatives but have found few that apply to my situation. If you know of a scholarship that does not require to student to be attending a school in the USA, please let me know!

As my university is outside the US, I’m not eligible for FAFSA or US federal student loans.

I can work up to 20 hours per week under my student visa, however finding an English-speaking job in Norway has been challenging. While I’m learning Norwegian, I’m not yet fluent. I’m continually searching for opportunities.

I’m currently saving a portion of my payments from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) that will go towards tuition next year, and working closely with the financial/accounting department at UIA to make sure I am exploring all financial options in Norway.

Obtaining Norwegian citizenship is a lengthy process, and while I’m actively exploring paths to dual citizenship, it won’t be possible within the next few years.

Tuition is approximately 415,000 NOK ($37,500) per academic year (as of January 2025), and it must be paid upfront, either for the whole year or semester to semester. It cannot be paid in installments (which makes my situation difficult). Read more on the official UIA website:

https://www.uia.no/english/studies/how-to-apply/tuition-fees/current-rates.html

If I’m unable to raise the full amount, I’ll explore alternative options such as private loans, although it has been challenging to secure funding from banks due to my non-taxable VA benefits. I may also consider deferring my final year if necessary, but my goal is to complete the program on time. Alternatively, I could change my program to a one year performance certificate.

My living situation is very secure. Unlike the private market, student housing at UIA is at a fixed rate at various price ranges. Students studying here are guaranteed housing. My rent (includes all utilities) is just under $400 per month.

Yes, I have been learning Norwegian for a little over one year! I’ve enjoyed learning a language on my own and it helps me connect with locals. The university’s music programs are taught in English. One of my long term goals is to continue learning Norwegian and pass proficiency tests, ultimately strengthening the job and music opportunities for me in Norway.

I sang and played flute in church choirs from ages 6 to 18. In middle/high school, I was a member of band, marching band, jazz band (on alto sax), indoor drum line, choir, chamber choir, musicals, and various district and regional level band and choir festivals. I began private flute lessons in high school. At age 18 I was offered a position with the U.S. Marine Corps Band Program. Following boot camp, I graduated from the Naval School of Music in 2017, and was stationed with the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band in Okinawa Japan from 2017 to 2020, where I was the flute section leader. I recently graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance from the University of Agder in Norway, and am currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music Performance, also at UIA.

The university requires tuition to be paid upfront before the start of the academic year (September 1). Ideally, I need to raise the funds by summer 2025 to ensure I can enroll for the fall semester.

I plan to keep all donors updated regularly. I will be sharing milestones in my education and how your contributions are helping me achieve my goals. This may include emails, photos, videos and updates on my musical performances and academic achievements. The updates will be posted on this page.

What would help me is you could share my campaign with your friends and family. Thank you in advance!

If you know of programs that support foreign students or contacts who can help me (banks, other foreigners, university educators or administrators) please share my story with them! Click here for my Speis page: https://www.spleis.no/project/413201

The “Too Long Didn’t Read (TLDR)” Version

Hi! I’m Karina, a musician and Marine Corps veteran from Pennsylvania, now living in Norway, where I’m pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music Performance. After serving in the military, I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance at the University of Agder in Norway and am now working on my Master’s in Music Performance. During my move to Norway, the Norwegian government made new laws that charge foreigners a hefty tuition at roughly $37,500 per academic year. I’ve been using the GI Bill, but I’ll run out of benefits after this year and need to raise $10,000 to help cover the last year of my program. Any support you can give would be greatly appreciated—thank you!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. Your generosity will have a lasting impact on my future as a musician!