The Harvard Marathon: Help Gerardo Cross the Finish Line
The Mission
My name is Gerardo Mendoza. My career has been dedicated to vaccine equity at Mexico’s borders—working so that migrant families can access both health and dignity.
I have been admitted to the Mid‑Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA Mason) at the Harvard Kennedy School. This degree is the bridge I need to turn my frontline experience into national policy change.
The Financial Reality & The May 15 Deadline
To secure my F‑1 student visa, Harvard requires that I prove access to the full, official cost of attendance: $121,453 for the 2026–2027 year. This covers:
- Tuition & required fees
- Health coverage
- 10 months of basic living and study costs in Cambridge
The Deadline: By May 15, 2026, I must show proof of this full amount. Without it, Harvard cannot issue my I‑20 visa eligibility, and I lose my seat—even though I have already been admitted.
My Transparent Funding Plan
I am not starting from zero. I am assembling a "funding puzzle" to meet Harvard’s requirement:
- Personal Savings: I have committed my life savings to this journey.
- Loans & Other Support (≈$100,000): I am in the application process for education loans (MPOWER, Prodigy, Harvard FCU) and targeted external support.
- The Final Gap ($21,453): Even with my savings and projected loans, I face a remaining gap to reach the $121,453 total.
This GoFundMe is for that specific final stretch: $21,453.
Why Loans Aren’t the Whole Answer
As an international student, my borrowing capacity is limited. To unlock the largest and most affordable loans (especially through the Harvard Federal Credit Union), I need a U.S.‑based cosigner.
I am running in "two lanes" at once:
- Crowdfunding: Raising the final $21,453 to show Harvard that I am fully funded.
- Networking: Searching for a U.S. ally or Harvard/HKS alum open to a professional conversation about cosigning a loan to bridge the rest of my budget.
How You Can Help:
1.- Donate: Every dollar reduces the $21,453 gap I must prove to Harvard before May 15. Your support directly protects my admission.
2.- Share: Please share this with your network—especially HKS alumni and people in global health and migration—using #HarvardMarathon.
3.- Connect: If you are a U.S. resident open to a conversation about cosigning, please reach out. I have a detailed Repayment Prospectus and am happy to walk through the risks, safeguards, and my repayment plan.
Thank you for helping me run these last miles and cross the Harvard finish line.